Hypercholesterolemia
Conditions
Keywords
gut microbiome, hypercholesterolemia, cricket, insect
Brief summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, including in Thailand. One of the major risk factors for CVD is dyslipidemia, or abnormal levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. Recent research suggests that the balance of gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms living in the digestive system, may play a key role in regulating cholesterol levels and overall metabolism. This study explored the potential health benefits of cricket powder, a high-protein food that is already safely consumed in many parts of the world. Previous studies have shown that cricket powder may increase the number of beneficial gut bacteria, especially Bifidobacterium animalis, which supports the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) known to improve fat metabolism. Although crickets are considered safe to eat, more research is needed to understand their effects on gut health and blood cholesterol, especially in people with high cholesterol levels. This study assessed the safety of cricket powder consumption and whether it can help improve gut microbiota balance and lower cholesterol in Thai adults.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCricket Powder
The intervention product is each serving of cricket powder, which contains 21.5 grams of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder blended with pumpkin powder, packed in a sachet. The powder is prepared under sterile conditions and heat-treated to ensure microbiological safety, in compliance with Thai public health regulations. Each serving of cricket powder will be consumed together with 32 grams of instant pork-flavored congee, serving as the food base. This intervention is distinguished by its use of whole cricket powder as a natural, food-based source of protein, chitin, and bioactive compounds, rather than isolated nutrients or supplements. Unlike many clinical studies that use encapsulated insect protein, purified chitin, or insect extracts, this study utilizes a whole-food approach, incorporating cricket powder into a culturally relevant format, congee, to reflect real-life dietary practices.
OTHERPlacebo
32 grams of instant pork-flavored congee that does not contain cricket powder
Sponsors
Mahidol University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy, aged in the 20 - 60 range * BMI (Body Mass Index) in the range of 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2 * No underlying diseases * No gastrointestinal surgery * The fasting blood parameters of total cholesterol and LDL-C are higher than 200 mg/dL and 130 - 189 mg/dL, respectively. * The fasting blood triglyceride must be less than 500 mg/dL. * The fasting blood glucose must be less than 110 mg/dL. * ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) must be less than 60 units/L. * eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) must be at least 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. * Blood pressure must be less than 160/90 mmHg. * Heart rate must be less than 100 times/minute. * No smoking * Be able to consume pork congee
Exclusion criteria
* Allergic to insects, chitin, chitosan, shrimp, dust mites, and other crustacean products * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Participating in other research projects, and receiving drugs, herbs, and supplements * Receiving steroid, antibiotic, or other drugs that may affect lipid metabolism * Consuming alcohol more than 2 drinks per day e.g., beer of 24 ounces, wine of 10 ounces, and distilled spirits of 3 ounces * Regularly consuming probiotic products and cannot stop consuming them * Having histories of diabetes, chronic liver diseases, chronic kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, anemia, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or anaphylaxis
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Gut Microbiota Composition | 70 days | Assessed by analyzing stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate changes in the relative abundance and diversity of gut microbiota |
| Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Profiles | 70 days | Quantification of fecal SCFA concentrations (e.g., acetate, propionate, and butyrate) using gas chromatography and metabolomic analysis to assess microbial metabolic activity and functional output |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Blood Lipid Levels | 70 days | Measurement of serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides, to evaluate the effect of cricket powder on lipid metabolism |
| Adverse Events and Safety Monitoring | 70 days | Assessment of adverse effects through participant self-report, clinical observation, and relevant laboratory parameters to evaluate the safety of daily cricket powder consumption |
Countries
Thailand
Outcome results
None listed