NCT04095052

Brief Summary

This study will determine how folate supplementation affects both serum and red blood cell folate status in females ages 18 -24 years old. Additionally, this study will determine the effect of folate supplementation on mood, cognition, and sleep patterns. This study will fill a crucial gap in understanding how folate status affects a variety of health behaviors in order to better inform public health practice and prevention.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
20

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Aug 2019

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 14, 2019

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 14, 2019

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 19, 2019

Completed
3.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 14, 2023

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 14, 2024

Completed
Last Updated

August 16, 2023

Status Verified

August 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

4 years

First QC Date

August 14, 2019

Last Update Submit

August 14, 2023

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (28)

  • Red blood cell folate status

    Red blood cell folate status will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. Red blood cell folate values represent a longer-term reduction in folate consumption or increases in folate excretion. Overturn of red blood cells occurs every 4 months, therefore, red blood cell folate status will only be assessed at baseline. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<340 nmol/L will be used to assess low red blood cell folate status.

    Baseline

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from baseline serum folate status at day 1

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 1 serum folate status at day 2

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 2 serum folate status at day 3

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 3 serum folate status at day 4

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 4 serum folate status at day 5

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 5 serum folate status at day 6

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 6 serum folate status at day 7

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 7 serum folate status at day 8

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 8 serum folate status at day 9

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 9 serum folate status at day 10

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 10 serum folate status at day 11

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 11 serum folate status at day 12

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 12 serum folate status at day 13

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 13 serum folate status at day 14

  • Change in serum folate status

    Serum folate values will be analyzed through dried blood spot samples collected on Arrayit blood cards daily, which use linear flow chromatography to separate whole blood into erythrocyte and serum. The WHO-recommended cutoff of \<10 nmol/L will be used to assess low serum folate status. Results will be reported as a concentration with higher values indicating improved serum folate status.

    Change from day 14 serum folate status at day 15

  • Change in gastrointestinal symptoms

    Gastrointestinal health symptoms will be assessed by a short questionnaire aimed at capturing side-effects commonly associated with oral supplementation such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

    Change from baseline gastrointestinal health status at day 7

  • Change in gastrointestinal symptoms

    Gastrointestinal health symptoms will be assessed by a short questionnaire aimed at capturing side-effects commonly associated with oral supplementation such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

    Change from day 7 gastrointestinal health status at day 15

  • Change in dietary folate consumption

    The Block Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) Screener: A 21-item measure validated specifically for folate. This screener measures folate intake within a 1-week time period and will be assessed throughout the study period. DFE results are given as an calculated average of micro-grams per day. DFE's above 400 micro-grams meet the RDA for the study population.

    Change from baseline dietary folate consumption at day 7

  • Change in dietary folate consumption

    The Block Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) Screener: A 21-item measure validated specifically for folate. This screener measures folate intake within a 1-week time period and will be assessed throughout the study period. DFE results are given as an calculated average of micro-grams per day. DFE's above 400 micro-grams meet the RDA for the study population.

    Change from day 7 dietary folate consumption at day 15

  • Change in mood

    The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): 9-item self-report screening tool used to assess and identify symptoms related to depression. The PHQ-9 has potential scores of 0-27 with scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 representing thresholds for mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF): 20-item self-report screening tool used to assess both positive and negative affect. Scores can range from 10-50, with higher scores representing higher levels of positive affect. Scores can range from 10-50, with lower scores representing lower levels of negative affect. Brief Mood Introspection Scale (BMIS): 16-adjective scale to assess pleasant-unpleasant mood (scale range of 16-64), arousal-calm mood (scale range of 12-48), positive-tired mood (scale range of 7-28), and negative-relaxed mood (scale range of 6-24). Adding up the scored items reveals where an individual lies on each of the 4 subscales.

    Change from baseline mood at day 7

  • Change in mood

    The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): 9-item self-report screening tool used to assess and identify symptoms related to depression. The PHQ-9 has potential scores of 0-27 with scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 representing thresholds for mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF): 20-item self-report screening tool used to assess both positive and negative affect. Scores can range from 10-50, with higher scores representing higher levels of positive affect. Scores can range from 10-50, with lower scores representing lower levels of negative affect. Brief Mood Introspection Scale (BMIS): 16-adjective scale to assess pleasant-unpleasant mood (scale range of 16-64), arousal-calm mood (scale range of 12-48), positive-tired mood (scale range of 7-28), and negative-relaxed mood (scale range of 6-24). Adding up the scored items reveals where an individual lies on each of the 4 subscales.

    Change from day 7 mood at day 15

  • Change in cognition

    The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery assesses cognitive functioning. Cognitive reports include several calculated scores including Age-Corrected Standard Scores, Uncorrected Standard Scores, and Fully Corrected T-Scores. The higher the score on each cognitive test, the higher the cognitive functioning.

    Change from baseline cognitive functioning at day 7

  • Change in cognition

    The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery assesses cognitive functioning. Cognitive reports include several calculated scores including Age-Corrected Standard Scores, Uncorrected Standard Scores, and Fully Corrected T-Scores. The higher the score on each cognitive test, the higher the cognitive functioning.

    Change from day 7 cognitive functioning at day 15

  • Change in sleep patterns

    The Oura Ring is a wellness tracker used to track an individual's nightly sleep cycle and physical activity 24 hours per day. All data is synced via a smartphone application.

    Change from baseline sleep patterns at day 7

  • Change in sleep patterns

    The Oura Ring is a wellness tracker used to track an individual's nightly sleep cycle and physical activity 24 hours per day. All data is synced via a smartphone application.

    Change from day 7 sleep patterns at day 15

  • Change in hair, nails, and skin satisfaction

    A 6 item self-report screening tool for assessing satisfaction of hair, nails, and skin. Scores can range from 0-6. Results are recorded using a likert scale and will indicate changes in physical attribute satisfaction as supplementation occurs. A higher score represents a greater satisfaction whereas a lower score represents a lower satisfaction.

    Change from baseline hair, nails, and skin satisfaction at day 7

  • Change in hair, nails, and skin satisfaction

    A 6 item self-report screening tool for assessing satisfaction of hair, nails, and skin. Scores can range from 0-6. Results are recorded using a likert scale and will indicate changes in physical attribute satisfaction as supplementation occurs. A higher score represents a greater satisfaction whereas a lower score represents a lower satisfaction.

    Change from day 7 hair, nails, and skin satisfaction at day 15

Study Arms (2)

Methyl Folate

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a capsule containing 1,000 mcg methyl folate and microcrystalline cellulose orally once per day for 15 days.

Dietary Supplement: Methyl Folate

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a microcrystalline cellulose capsule orally once per day for 15 days.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Interventions

Methyl FolateDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1,000 mcg methyl folate and Microcrystalline Cellulose in a capsule

Methyl Folate
PlaceboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Microcrystalline Cellulose capsule

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 24 Years
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Females restricted to those living in the United States
  • Not currently using hormonal birth control
  • Must experience menses
  • Must begin the study exactly one week after the start of their menstrual cycle
  • Folate consumption must be less than or equal to 250 micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (DFEs)

You may not qualify if:

  • Current use of a folate supplement

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Folic Acid Deficiency

Interventions

5-methyltetrahydrofolate

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vitamin B DeficiencyAvitaminosisDeficiency DiseasesMalnutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Masking Details
This is a single-blind study. The participants will be blinded.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to a condition that receives a vitamin supplement (methyl folate), or a placebo group. Both the condition and placebo group will receive the same size pill once daily for 15 days and the pills will look the same. The condition group will receive a gel capsule containing the methyl folate supplement and a microcrystalline cellulose fiber. The placebo group will receive the same size gel capsule containing only the microcrystalline cellulose filler. The methyl folate supplement is the upper tolerable limit set by the Institute of Medicine. Taking more that the upper limit of 1000 mcg of methyl folate may be harmful; for this reason, it is important to discontinue vitamin use while enrolled in the study. Participants assigned to both the condition and placebo groups will be directly observed taking the pill during each daily appointment.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 14, 2019

First Posted

September 19, 2019

Study Start

August 14, 2019

Primary Completion

August 14, 2023

Study Completion

August 14, 2024

Last Updated

August 16, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-08

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations