NCT06515210

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the clinical effects of two different dietary fibre supplements, acacia gum (AG) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), in patients with ulcerative colitis. The main question it aims to answer is: Can the fibre supplements reduce gut inflammation (fecal calprotectin)? Researchers will compare AG and MCC to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no fibre) to see if the fibre supplements improve inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Participants will add their assigned fibre supplement or placebo to their usual diet daily for 6 weeks. They will visit the clinic at baseline, week 3, and week 6 to provide samples (stool, blood) and complete various questionnaires.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
69

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
7mo left

Started Jun 2025

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

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

Study Progress62%
Jun 2025Dec 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 10, 2024

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 23, 2024

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 3, 2025

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2026

Last Updated

June 10, 2025

Status Verified

June 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

1.5 years

First QC Date

July 10, 2024

Last Update Submit

June 5, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

inflammatory bowel diseaseulcerative colitisdietary fibregut microbiome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Changes in fecal calprotectin

    Calprotectin will be analyzed in fecal samples. Clinically-relevant reductions are defined as levels \<150 µg/g or reduced by at least 50% from baseline.

    Week 3 and Week 6 (and week 12, if applicable)

Secondary Outcomes (17)

  • Changes in disease activity

    Week 3 and Week 6 (and week 12, if applicable)

  • Changes in fecal microbiome composition

    Week 3 and Week 6 (and week 12, if applicable)

  • Changes in function of the fecal microbiome

    Week 3 and Week 6 (and week 12, if applicable)

  • Changes in gut barrier function: fecal zonulin

    Week 3 and Week 6 (and week 12, if applicable)

  • Changes in gut barrier function: plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein

    Week 3 and Week 6 (and week 12, if applicable)

  • +12 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Biopsies, Brushings, Intestinal Washes, and Endoscopy Scores

    Week 12

Study Arms (3)

Acacia Gum

EXPERIMENTAL

Acacia gum is a dietary fibre with low-viscosity and is fermentable. Female participants consume 12.5 grams each day for the first two days of the intervention, then consume 25 grams each day for the rest of the six-week intervention. Male participants consume 17.5 grams each day for the first two days of the intervention, then consume 35 grams each day for the rest of the six-week intervention. Those participants who voluntarily extend their treatment for an additional six weeks will continue with consuming the full dose daily.

Dietary Supplement: Acacia Gum

Microcrystalline Cellulose

EXPERIMENTAL

Microcrystalline cellulose is a dietary fibre that is non-viscous and and non-fermentable. Female participants consume 12.5 grams each day for the first two days of the intervention, then consume 25 grams each day for the rest of the six-week intervention. Male participants consume 17.5 grams each day for the first two days of the intervention, then consume 35 grams each day for the rest of the six-week intervention. Those participants who voluntarily extend their treatment for an additional six weeks will continue with consuming the full dose daily.

Dietary Supplement: Microcrystalline Cellulose

Maltodextrin

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Maltodextrin is a digestible carbohydrate. It is provided in isocaloric doses to the dietary fibres. Female participants consume 6.3 grams each day for the first two days of the intervention, then consume 12.5 grams each day for the rest of the six-week intervention. Male participants consume 8.8 grams each day for the first two days of the intervention, then consume 17.5 grams each day for the rest of the six-week intervention.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Interventions

Acacia GumDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants (n=23) incorporate the fibre supplement into their usual diet daily.

Also known as: AGRI-SPRAY ACACIA® R, Agrigum International
Acacia Gum
Microcrystalline CelluloseDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants (n=23) incorporate the fibre supplement into their usual diet daily.

Also known as: MICROCEL® MC-12, ROQUETTE
Microcrystalline Cellulose
PlaceboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants (n=23) incorporate the placebo into their usual diet daily.

Also known as: GLUCIDEX® IT 19 - MALTODEXTRIN, ROQUETTE
Maltodextrin

Eligibility Criteria

Age15 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Known diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
  • Measured fecal calprotectin of \>250 µg/g at screening.
  • Mild disease: Partial Mayo Scoring Index Assessment for UC between 0-4 (adult patients).
  • Mild disease: Pediatric UC Activity Index (PUCAI) between 0-34 (pediatric patients).
  • Tanner stage 5 for pediatric patients.
  • Weight \>50kg.
  • No changes to IBD-related medications in three months prior to study onset (stable therapy, including use of 5-aminosalicylic acid, biologics, and immunosuppressive medications; some minor adjustments allowed, such as increasing dose for weight change, or change to a compatible/generic treatment).
  • Men and women; the latter must be menstruating and using contraceptives.

You may not qualify if:

  • Inability to provide informed consent.
  • Presence of Crohn disease, IBD unclassified, non-IBD bowel conditions (e.g., celiac), or motility disorder.
  • Use of systemic antibiotics for more than a week during two months prior to intervention, or any antibiotic use during the intervention.
  • Use of probiotic, prebiotic, or fibre supplements in month prior to intervention known to affect the gut microbiome (if these are present in foods, such as yogurt or fermented foods, this will be allowed).
  • Chronic use of laxatives or stool softeners.
  • History of abdominal surgery, including appendectomy.
  • Pregnancy or intention of the patient to become pregnant during the study period.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Alberta Hospital

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2X8, Canada

RECRUITING

Related Publications (13)

  • Crohn's and Colitis Canada. Impact of inflammatory bowel disease in Canada. Available from: https://crohnsandcolitisca/About-Us/Resources-Publications/Impact-of-IBD-Report2023.

    BACKGROUND
  • Kayal M, Shah S. Ulcerative Colitis: Current and Emerging Treatment Strategies. J Clin Med. 2019 Dec 30;9(1):94. doi: 10.3390/jcm9010094.

    PMID: 31905945BACKGROUND
  • Michail S, Durbin M, Turner D, Griffiths AM, Mack DR, Hyams J, Leleiko N, Kenche H, Stolfi A, Wine E. Alterations in the gut microbiome of children with severe ulcerative colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2012 Oct;18(10):1799-808. doi: 10.1002/ibd.22860. Epub 2011 Dec 14.

    PMID: 22170749BACKGROUND
  • Nagao-Kitamoto H, Shreiner AB, Gillilland MG 3rd, Kitamoto S, Ishii C, Hirayama A, Kuffa P, El-Zaatari M, Grasberger H, Seekatz AM, Higgins PD, Young VB, Fukuda S, Kao JY, Kamada N. Functional Characterization of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Associated Gut Dysbiosis in Gnotobiotic Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Mar 3;2(4):468-481. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2016.02.003. eCollection 2016 Jul.

    PMID: 27795980BACKGROUND
  • Britton GJ, Contijoch EJ, Mogno I, Vennaro OH, Llewellyn SR, Ng R, Li Z, Mortha A, Merad M, Das A, Gevers D, McGovern DPB, Singh N, Braun J, Jacobs JP, Clemente JC, Grinspan A, Sands BE, Colombel JF, Dubinsky MC, Faith JJ. Microbiotas from Humans with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Alter the Balance of Gut Th17 and RORgammat+ Regulatory T Cells and Exacerbate Colitis in Mice. Immunity. 2019 Jan 15;50(1):212-224.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.12.015.

    PMID: 30650377BACKGROUND
  • Di Rosa C, Altomare A, Imperia E, Spiezia C, Khazrai YM, Guarino MPL. The Role of Dietary Fibers in the Management of IBD Symptoms. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 11;14(22):4775. doi: 10.3390/nu14224775.

    PMID: 36432460BACKGROUND
  • Limketkai BN, Gordon M, Mutlu EA, De Silva PS, Lewis JD. Diet Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Call to the Dining Table. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2020 Mar 4;26(4):510-514. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izz297.

    PMID: 31819987BACKGROUND
  • So D, Whelan K, Rossi M, Morrison M, Holtmann G, Kelly JT, Shanahan ER, Staudacher HM, Campbell KL. Dietary fiber intervention on gut microbiota composition in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018 Jun 1;107(6):965-983. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy041.

    PMID: 29757343BACKGROUND
  • Parada Venegas D, De la Fuente MK, Landskron G, Gonzalez MJ, Quera R, Dijkstra G, Harmsen HJM, Faber KN, Hermoso MA. Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)-Mediated Gut Epithelial and Immune Regulation and Its Relevance for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Front Immunol. 2019 Mar 11;10:277. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00277. eCollection 2019.

    PMID: 30915065BACKGROUND
  • Levine A, Sigall Boneh R, Wine E. Evolving role of diet in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Gut. 2018 Sep;67(9):1726-1738. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315866. Epub 2018 May 18.

    PMID: 29777041BACKGROUND
  • Desai MS, Seekatz AM, Koropatkin NM, Kamada N, Hickey CA, Wolter M, Pudlo NA, Kitamoto S, Terrapon N, Muller A, Young VB, Henrissat B, Wilmes P, Stappenbeck TS, Nunez G, Martens EC. A Dietary Fiber-Deprived Gut Microbiota Degrades the Colonic Mucus Barrier and Enhances Pathogen Susceptibility. Cell. 2016 Nov 17;167(5):1339-1353.e21. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.10.043.

    PMID: 27863247BACKGROUND
  • Earle KA, Billings G, Sigal M, Lichtman JS, Hansson GC, Elias JE, Amieva MR, Huang KC, Sonnenburg JL. Quantitative Imaging of Gut Microbiota Spatial Organization. Cell Host Microbe. 2015 Oct 14;18(4):478-88. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2015.09.002. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

    PMID: 26439864BACKGROUND
  • Gill SK, Rossi M, Bajka B, Whelan K. Dietary fibre in gastrointestinal health and disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Feb;18(2):101-116. doi: 10.1038/s41575-020-00375-4. Epub 2020 Nov 18.

    PMID: 33208922BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Colitis, UlcerativeInflammatory Bowel Diseases

Interventions

Gum Arabicmicrocrystalline cellulose

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

ColitisGastroenteritisGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System DiseasesColonic DiseasesIntestinal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Plant GumsBiopolymersPolymersMacromolecular SubstancesPolysaccharidesCarbohydratesPlant ExudatesBiological ProductsComplex Mixtures

Study Officials

  • Eytan Wine, MD, PhD

    University of Alberta

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Eytan Wine, MD, PhD

CONTACT

Anissa Armet, PhD, RD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Masking Details
The study is double-blinded. The fibre supplements are provided in individual daily sachets, packaged and code-labelled by researchers not involved in data analysis or patient care to ensure double-blinding.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Randomized, double-blinded, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled, six-week clinical trial, with optional 6-week extension for participants in whom the primary outcome is achieved.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 10, 2024

First Posted

July 23, 2024

Study Start

June 3, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Last Updated

June 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Individual participant data will be shared that underlies the results reported after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices). Data will be made available through a safe and secure publicly available data sharing repository.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
Time Frame
Immediately following publication, ending 5 years following publication.
Access Criteria
Anyone who wishes to access the data may do so to achieve aims in the approved proposal and for individual participant data meta-analysis.

Locations