Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity
Conditions
Keywords
fruit and vegetable fermented product, lemon fermented product, fermented food supplement, body fat, body composition, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin, inflammation, GLP-1, peptide YY, gut microbiota, gut-brain axis, placebo-controlled, randomized trial
Brief summary
This study evaluates whether a fruit- and vegetable-based fermented product (Rutazyme® lemon fermented product) taken as a capsule can improve metabolic health in adults with obesity. Forty adults aged 18-65 years with obesity (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² and waist circumference \> 90 cm for men or \> 80 cm for women) will be randomly assigned to receive either a Rutazyme® lemon fermented product capsule (500 mg) or a placebo capsule once daily at bedtime for 12 weeks. Before supplementation, participants will complete a 2-week stabilization period during which they maintain their usual diet and physical activity. Body composition and waist/hip measurements will be assessed during the study, and blood pressure will be monitored. Blood samples will be collected to evaluate metabolic and safety laboratory measures (e.g., lipids, glucose, insulin, inflammation markers, liver and kidney function), and stool samples will be collected to assess gut microbiota. Gut-brain axis biomarkers (GLP-1 and PYY) will be measured at multiple time points after capsule intake at baseline and at Week 12. The results will help determine the metabolic effects and safety of Rutazyme® lemon fermented product supplementation in adults with obesity.
Detailed description
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study designed to assess the metabolic effects and safety of Rutazyme® lemon fermented product capsules in adults with obesity. A total of 40 participants (18-65 years) with simple obesity (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²; waist circumference \> 90 cm for men or \> 80 cm for women) will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two arms: (A) placebo capsule or (B) Rutazyme® lemon fermented product capsule (500 mg). Participants will undergo a 2-week stabilization period prior to supplementation (Week -2 to Week 0) and will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and physical activity habits throughout the study. The intervention period lasts 12 weeks, during which participants will take one capsule orally once daily at bedtime with water. Assessments are scheduled at Week -2 (stabilization), Week 0 (baseline), and Weeks 4, 8, and 12. Measures include body composition (InBody 570), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure and heart rate, and assessments of dietary intake and physical activity (including estimation of total daily energy expenditure). Safety and metabolic laboratory assessments include complete blood count; lipid profile (TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C); fasting glucose and insulin; inflammatory marker (hs-CRP); liver function (AST/GOT, ALT/GPT, γ-GT, albumin); and renal function (BUN, creatinine, uric acid). Stool samples will be collected at baseline and Week 12 for gut microbiota analysis. To explore mechanistic gut-brain axis biomarkers, GLP-1 and PYY will be assessed at baseline and at Week 12 at multiple time points (0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes) following capsule intake. Blood samples will be collected by trained personnel, with procedures designed to minimize discomfort (e.g., use of an indwelling catheter during repeated time-point sampling). Laboratory analyses will be performed by qualified external laboratories.
Interventions
One capsule containing 500 mg Rutazyme® lemon fermented product taken orally once daily at bedtime with water for 12 weeks.
One placebo capsule containing maltodextrin (GLUCIDEX®12) taken orally once daily at bedtime with water for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
Study design
Masking description
Participants and investigators are blinded to treatment assignment. Rutazyme® and placebo capsules are identical in appearance and packaging.
Intervention model description
Participants are randomized to one of two parallel arms (Rutazyme® lemon fermented product capsule vs placebo capsule).
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 to 65 years. * Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m². * Waist circumference \> 90 cm for men or \> 80 cm for women. * Able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures.
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnant, breastfeeding, or menopausal or postmenopausal. * Use of enzyme supplements or fiber supplements within the past month. * Current treatment with antihypertensive medications. * Gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease). * Major cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease. * Unable to provide informed consent or insufficient decision-making capacity. * Investigator determines the participant is not suitable for the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body Fat Percentage | Baseline (Week 0) to Week 12 | Body fat percentage (%) will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 570). The primary endpoint is the change from baseline to Week 12. |
| Fat Mass (kg) | Baseline (Week 0) to Week 12 | Fat mass will be measured using InBody 570. The endpoint is the change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 12. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Waist Circumference | Baseline (Week 0) and Weeks 4, 8, and 12 | Waist circumference (cm) will be measured with a measuring tape. |
| Hip Circumference | Baseline (Week 0) and Weeks 4, 8, and 12 | Hip circumference (cm) will be measured with a measuring tape. |
| Fasting Glucose | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Fasting glucose will be assessed from blood samples. |
| Fasting Insulin | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Fasting insulin will be assessed from blood samples. |
| Inflammation Marker (hs-CRP) | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) will be assessed from blood samples. |
| GLP-1 Response After Capsule Intake | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | GLP-1 will be measured at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after capsule intake. |
| PYY Response After Capsule Intake | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | PYY will be measured at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after capsule intake. |
| Gut Microbiota Composition (Fecal Sample) | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Gut microbiota composition will be assessed from fecal samples. |
| Fasting Triglycerides | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Fasting triglycerides will be assessed from blood samples. |
| Fasting Total Cholesterol | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Fasting total cholesterol will be assessed from blood samples. |
| Fasting LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) will be assessed from blood samples. |
| Fasting HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C) | Baseline (Week 0) and Week 12 | Fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) will be assessed from blood samples. |
| Systolic Blood Pressure | Baseline (Week 0) and Weeks 4, 8, and 12 | Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) will be measured using an automated blood pressure monitor (OMRON HEM-1000). |
| Diastolic Blood Pressure | Baseline (Week 0) and Weeks 4, 8, and 12 | Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) will be measured using an automated blood pressure monitor (OMRON HEM-1000). |
| Heart Rate | Baseline (Week 0) and Weeks 4, 8, and 12 | Heart rate (beats per minute) will be measured using an automated blood pressure monitor (OMRON HEM-1000). |
Countries
Taiwan
Contacts
National Taiwan Sport University