MedPath

Prebiotics in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Type 1 Diabetes
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Dietary Supplement: Prebiotic
Registration Number
NCT04963777
Lead Sponsor
University of Calgary
Brief Summary

Evidence suggests that prebiotic fibre can correct dysbiosis, reduce intestinal permeability and improve glycemic control. The investigators hypothesize that microbial changes induced by prebiotics contribute to gut and endocrine adaptations that reduce glucose fluctuations, including less hyper- and hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The primary objective is to compare the change in frequency of hypoglycemia from baseline to 6 months in n=144 individuals with T1D treated with a 6-month course of prebiotic or placebo as an adjunct to insulin. Secondary objectives will be aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which the prebiotics could affect glycemic control.

Detailed Description

The investigators hypothesize that, as an adjunct to insulin, prebiotic supplementation will reduce the frequency of hypoglycemia and improve glycemic variability that is accompanied by enhanced serum C-peptide levels, a reduction in intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation, and altered gut microbiota.

Primary Objective To compare the change in frequency of hypoglycemia from baseline to 6 months in individuals with T1D treated with a 6-month course of prebiotic or placebo as an adjunct to insulin.

Secondary Objectives

1. To determine the change in glycemic variability and glycemic control using Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) metrics including: percentage change in Time In-, Below-, and Above-Range (i.e. TIR, TBR, and TAR) and A1C from baseline to 6 months in those treated with prebiotic or placebo.

2. To compare the change in stimulated C-peptide and pro-insulin from baseline to 6 months.

3. To determine the change in IP from baseline to 6 months.

4. To determine the change in serum inflammatory markers (IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF, C-reactive protein, and IL-10).

5. To examine quality of life (QOL) and fear of hypoglycemia ratings, and adverse reactions (severe hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, side effects).

6. To examine prebiotic-induced changes in gut microbiota composition and function (shotgun sequencing) and their metabolic by-products (fecal and serum metabolomics).

7. To compare the change in frequency of hypoglycemia from baseline to 9 months to determine persistence of effects post-intervention.

8. To determine the change in glycemic variability from baseline to 9 months to determine persistence of effects post-intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
144
Inclusion Criteria

Lead Site:

  • Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (based on Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guideline diagnostic criteria) in the previous 12 months.
  • Age 7 years and above (as per our pilot trial and able to complete the required tests).

Subsites:

  • Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (based on Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guideline diagnostic criteria) in the previous 12 months.
  • Age 7 to 17 years of age.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Regular use of medications or supplements that could affect gut microbiota (examples: antibiotics, probiotic or prebiotic supplements, laxatives) within 3 months prior to enrollment.
  • Previous intestinal surgery.
  • Another chronic medical condition that could affect gut microbiota or intestinal permeability (examples: Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Presence of active infection, pregnancy or lactation.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboMaltodextrin
PrebioticPrebioticOligofructose-enriched inulin
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in frequency of hypoglycemia6 months

Blood glucose \<3.9 mmol/L from continuous glucose monitor data

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in glycemic control6 months

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C)

Change in stimulated C-peptide6 months

Serum collected during a mixed meal tolerance test

Change in Intestinal permeability6 months

Urinary lactulose/mannitol test

Change in lipopolysaccharide6 months

Serum lipopolysaccharide concentration

Change in Inflammatory marker IL-66 months

Serum IL-6

Change in Inflammatory marker IFN-γ6 months

Serum IFN-γ

Change in Inflammatory marker TNF6 months

Serum TNF

Change in Inflammatory marker CRP6 months

Serum CRP

Change in Inflammatory marker IL-106 months

Serum IL-10

Change in quality of life6 months

Diabetes-specific quality of life survey

Change in fear of hypoglycemia6 months

Fear of hypoglycemia ratings survey

Change in gut microbiota composition6 months

Fecal microbiota taxonomy

Change in serum metabolite concentration6 months

Serum LC-Qtof-Mass Spec metabolomics

Change in fecal metabolite concentrations6 months

Serum LC-Qtof-Mass Spec metabolomics

Change in frequency of hypoglycemia post-intervention9 months

Blood glucose \<3.9 mmol/L from continuous glucose monitor data

Change in glycemic control post-intervention9 months

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C)

Change in glycemic variability6 months

CGM-recorded composite of percentage of 'time-in-range" (glucose of 3.9-10 mmol/L), "time-below-range" as mild (glucose 3.0-3.9 mmol/L) or moderate (glucose \<3.0 mmol/L) hypoglycemia, and "time-above- range" as moderate (glucose 10.1-13.9 mmol/L) and severe (glucose \>13.9 mmol/L) hyperglycemia.

Change in serum proinsulin6 months

Serum collected during a mixed meal tolerance test

Change in gut microbiota function6 months

Fecal microbiota shotgun sequencing

Change in glycemic variability post-intervention9 months

CGM-recorded composite of percentage of 'time-in-range" (glucose of 3.9-10 mmol/L), "time-below-range" as mild (glucose 3.0-3.9 mmol/L) or moderate (glucose \<3.0 mmol/L) hypoglycemia, and "time-above- range" as moderate (glucose 10.1-13.9 mmol/L) and severe (glucose \>13.9 mmol/L) hyperglycemia.

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

University of Alberta

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

University of Saskatchewan

🇨🇦

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

University of Calgary

🇨🇦

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath