Clinical Research Directory

Gut Microbiota and Trichoscopic Changes in Women With Telogen Effluvium on a Multifactorial Drinkable Nutraceutical: A Retrospective Observational Study

Telogen effluvium (TE) is a common cause of diffuse, non-scarring hair shedding in women. It is often triggered by physiological stress, nutritional deficiencies, illness or hormonal changes. There is growing interest in the role of the gut microbiota in hair health, through its effects on nutrient absorption, immune regulation and systemic inflammation (the so-called gut-skin axis). However, data on gut microbiota in women with TE are still scarce. This retrospective observational study will review the medical records of premenopausal women diagnosed with TE who received a multifactorial drinkable nutraceutical as part of routine clinical care at 2 clinics between January 2025 and July 2025. The study has two aims: 1. To describe the gut microbiota profile of these women at baseline \[and after 6 months\], as assessed by \[stool analysis method\]. 2. To describe changes in trichoscopic parameters, over 6 months of supplementation \[and to explore whether baseline microbiota features are associated with these changes\]. The study does not assign any intervention: all data were collected during standard clinical practice. Its findings are intended to generate hypotheses for future controlled studies.

The Effects of a Commercially Available Synbiotic on the Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Health

The purpose of this study is to see the effect of 30 days of synbiotic vs. probiotic supplementation (usingJuice+ nutrition products) on body weight, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and gut health. This study will provide information for future studies and how such supplementation might influence health long term. You are being asked to participate because you are 18-60 years old, relatively healthy 1 or fewer risk factors for cardiovascular disease), and have been weight stable (weight within ±4.4 lbs) for at least 6 months.People who present with 2 or more cardiovascular disease risk factors (we will ask you this information) or have uncontrolled/overt cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease (Diabetes Mellitus), or recent blood donation (\<8 weeks) will not be able to participate. Those who have been diagnosed and/or are being treated for cancer will not be able to participate. Anyone recently (\<1yr) diagnosed with an eating disorder is also not eligible to participate. Women who are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, attempting to conceive, or without a period will not be allowed to participate. Anyone who is being treated for hypothyroid with levothyroxine will be excluded as one of the supplement ingredients, chromium polynicotinate, may interfere with this medication. Given the focus of the study, those who are currently, or have recently used (\<3 months), oral antibiotics or have diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome or gut/bowel maladies (short bowel syndrome, etc.) will be excluded Anyone with severe illness or compromised or suppressed immune system (e.g. taking immune suppressants, chronic viral infection or treatment) will be excluded. Please discuss any other potential food allergies with the research team, as food allergies will disqualify you from participating. About 48 people will take part in this research.

Kodo Millet Porridge and Its Effects on Gut Health and Metabolic Syndrome

Dietary fiber are components in foods that are not digested by human gastrointestinal enzymes (alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase) but are instead broken down and fermented by gut microbes. The byproducts generated during fermentation in the large intestine, primarily short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), bile acids, indoles, and their derivatives, circulate through the circulatory system to the liver, lungs, brain, adipose tissue, and muscles, where they modulate metabolism (suppress lipogenesis and alleviate insulin resistance) and immune function. Individuals who are overweight or obese frequently exhibit gut dysbiosis, characterized by lower SCFA producing commensals. This condition predisposes them to metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, and contributes to conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Preclinical and clinical research have demonstrated that the consumption of fiber-rich foods maintains or restores gut microbiota health and diminishes the risk of metabolic disorders. Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), a small millet, is rich in dietary fiber and we have developed a palatable kodo millet porridge beverage enriched with polyphenols and dietary fiber. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of consuming Kodo millet porridge beverage as a nutritional supplement for 3 months, on gut microbiome richness (composition and diversity) and metabolic health in overweight or obese people.

Algal Lutein Against Decline of Intellectual Nimbleness

Lutein is a xanthophyll pigment found in photosynthesizing organisms. Its beneficial effects on health, including brain function and visual performance, have been recognized for many years. However, to date, only a limited number of well-designed human intervention studies have been published regarding the effects of incorporating lutein into the daily diet (as humans are unable to synthesize lutein endogenously). Unfortunately, within the Western dietary pattern, the average daily intake of lutein is approximately 1.7 mg, whereas achieving health benefits- such as reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataract, as well as neurodegenerative diseases- requires an intake of 6 to 14 mg per day. In light of the above, it is therefore justified to enrich the daily diet with products that are sources of lutein. Unfortunately, the consumption of dark green vegetables- the richest dietary source of lutein-remains insufficient. Lutein preparations currently available on the market are extracted from marigold or calendula flowers. However, lutein production from these raw materials requires greater water consumption and land use, which is not aligned with the principles of sustainable development. An alternative approach involves the production of lutein preparations from microalgae (from species approved as food by the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA), as the rate of lutein production from microalgae is three to six times higher than that from marigold flowers. Taking the above into account, the primary objective of this project is to evaluate the dose-response relationship in establishing the anti-aging mechanism of action of lutein derived from microalgae. As part of the project, a six-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial is planned. The study will include 300 polish women (aged 48-60 years), after natural menopause, with visceral obesity (waist circumference ≥ 88 cm). In order to enable the inclusion of such a large study population, the research team will conduct intensified recruitment efforts for several months prior to the initiation of the dietary intervention. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: lutein supplementation at a dose of 6 mg (n = 100), lutein supplementation at a dose of 14 mg (n = 100), or placebo (n = 100). The volunteers will be instructed to take the prescribed preparation daily for 180 days. All preparations will be identical in appearance, taste, and smell. All volunteers expressing willingness to participate in the experiment will be asked to provide written informed consent prior to enrollment in the study. The study will be conducted in accordance with the previously calculated sample size (n = 300 postmenopausal women with visceral obesity). In order to obtain a homogeneous study population, appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria will be applied. Conducting the research in such a large and homogeneous group will enable the generation of high-quality scientific evidence identifying the dose of microalgae-derived lutein that allows for the determination of its anti-aging mechanism of action. It will also be possible to elucidate the potential role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces in this process, which may represent a significant novelty in this field of research. The study will contribute to the development of new knowledge regarding the anti-aging properties of lutein derived from microalgae in populations vulnerable to cognitive impairment (postmenopausal women). However, microalgae-derived lutein may be used as a dietary supplement not only in the studied group but also in the general population. The specific objectives are as follows: * To assess the effect of lutein derived from microalgae (at doses of 6 mg and 14 mg) on the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory markers, cardiometabolic parameters, fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, and cognitive function in postmenopausal women with visceral obesity. * To evaluate adherence to lutein supplementation recommendations (by assessing macular pigment optical density). * To determine whether supplementation with microalgal lutein increases fecal SCFA concentrations and whether SCFAs may act as mediators in improving inflammatory markers and cognitive function in postmenopausal women with visceral obesity. * To determine whether supplementation with microalgal lutein (at doses of 6 mg and 14 mg) affects changes in selected gut bacterial populations and β-glucuronidase enzymatic activity in postmenopausal women with visceral obesity. * To analyse the association between polymorphisms in genes related to lutein metabolism and transport in the body and the effectiveness of supplementation with this compound. * To identify dietary behaviour patterns associated with high exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and the presence of inflammation in postmenopausal women with visceral obesity.

Infant Microbiota Restoration With Maternal Microbes

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the ability of different bacterial products in restoring natural gut microbiota in C-section born infants. The main question it aims to answer is: Do maternally derived strains of bacteria perform better than commercially available probiotic strains in restoring the gut microbiota of C-section born infants? Researchers will compare the gut microbiota of treated infants to that of untreated C-section born infants and untreated vaginally born infants to see if the bacterial treatments cause the microbiota to resemble that of vaginally born infants. Participants will be given a bacterial product orally once daily for either one or four weeks and be asked to collect faecal, urine and saliva samples.

Early Life Malnutrition, Environmental Enteric Dysfunction and Microbiome Trajectories

Malnutrition in women of reproductive age remains a public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Malnutrition during pregnancy affects foetal growth with a tendency of the exposed infants to also develop it. The interaction of the mother with the infant shapes the seeding and the trajectory of the infant intestinal microbiota which is crucial for development of a healthy immune system Malnutrition has been associated with intestinal inflammation, intestinal leakage and reduced calorie absorption. Early life malnutrition and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) immunopathology remains poorly described in the context of mother-infant dyads. This is essential as malnutrition, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including the presence of infectious diseases limit the developmental potential of the exposed infants in SSA, including Zimbabwe. In addition, maternal stress and poor mental health may also affect standard hygiene practices, including how a mother cares for her baby, potentially aggravating EED and the risk of the infant being malnourished. Primary outcomes 1. Infant malnutrition and recovery. 2. Gut dysfunction (gut inflammation, leaky gut, malabsorption, dysbiosis) 3. Diarrhea episodes, defined as any episode of acute diarrhoea (≥3 passages of loose stool within 24 hours as reported by the mother) occurring before the next study visit. Definition of malnutrition outcomes to be assessed in babies born to malnourished women, is a mid- upper arm circumference (MUAC) \<23cm; * MUAC for age: Malnourished defined as those below -2 standard (SD) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) reference * Weight-for-age: Underweight defined as those below -2SD WHO reference * Weight-for-height: Wasted defined as those below -2SD WHO reference * Height-for-age: Stunted defined as those below -2SD WHO reference * Z-scores (as they are i.e. a continuous variable, taking age of infants into account) * A composite variable, any of malnourished, underweight, wasted or stunted.

Probiotic Supplementation and Disease Progression in CKD: A Randomized Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether probiotic supplementation can slow disease progression in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). The trial will also assess the safety of probiotics in these patients. The main questions the study aims to answer are: Does probiotic supplementation improve kidney function by reducing serum creatinine levels and protein in urine? Does it reduce inflammation and metabolic imbalances in CKD patients? Does it affect gut microbiota composition and lower harmful toxins in the body? Is probiotic supplementation safe and well-tolerated in CKD patients? Participants will: Be randomly assigned to receive either probiotics or a placebo for 6 months. Have clinic visits every 6 months for checkups, blood tests, and urine tests. Be monitored for any side effects and changes in kidney function. Researchers will compare the probiotic group to the placebo group to determine whether probiotics are effective in slowing CKD progression.

Probiotic Supplementation During Pregnancy in Women With High-Risk Pregnancies

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication during pregnancy characterized by hypertension, organ damage, and inflammation, without an effective treatment. The underlying mechanisms causing the disease also remain partly unknown. In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, the effects of probiotic dietary supplement GutMagnific during pregnancy will be assessed in pregnancies with a high risk of PE as well as low risk. The hypothesis is that probiotic dietary supplement GutMagnific can prevent or reduce the inflammatory response and clinical manifestations associated with PE through counteracting imbalances in the oral and gut microbiome composition.