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Fasting-mimicking Diet in Treatment of Depressive Symptoms in IBD

Early Phase 1
Recruiting
Conditions
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Crohn Disease
Ulcerative Colitis
Interventions
Other: Plant-based fasting-mimicking diet
Registration Number
NCT05382897
Lead Sponsor
University of Alberta
Brief Summary

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic illness characterized by inflammation of the intestine. Many individuals with IBD suffer from depressive symptoms and anxiety which can lead to a decreased quality of life, poor treatment compliance, and higher morbidity and mortality. The object of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of a fasting mimicking diet in IBD patients who are suffering with symptoms of depression. Participants will carry out 3 cycles of a 5-day period of a plant-based low caloric diet or a plant-based caloric sufficient diet following by 3 weeks of eating normally. Effects of the dietary intervention on microbes in the gut, immune and metabolic function, and depressive symptoms will be measured. The overall goal is to develop a safe and effective treatment to improve mental health in patients with IBD by targeting the gut microbiome through dietary interventions.

Detailed Description

The primary objective of this proof of principle study is to investigate the effects of a fasting mimicking diet on depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The specific aims of this project include:

1. Determine whether a fasting-mimicking diet is effective in ameliorating depressive symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

2. Determine if beneficial effects seen during the interventional period are sustained following cessation of fasting

3. Examine effects of the intervention on the gut microbiome and metabolome

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years at the time of screening
  • Diagnosis of Crohn's disease in clinical remission with Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI<5) or diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in clinical remission with partial Mayo (pMayo<2)
  • Suffering from mild-moderate depression with PHQ-9 ≥5 and ≤ 19
Exclusion Criteria
  • Subjects who are reliant on partial or total parenteral nutrition
  • Subjects with prior gastrointestinal surgery and consequences such as short bowel syndrome, ostomy of small or large intestine, total colectomy, proctocolectomy, or ileoanal pouch
  • Subjects with diabetes or celiac disease
  • Subjects with a body mass index (BMI) lower than 18
  • Subjects suffering from malnutrition or at high risk of malnutrition assessed by a score of ≥6 on the abridged patient generated subjective global assessment (PGSGA)
  • Subjects allergic to nuts
  • Subjects currently on a fasting/intermittent type caloric restricted diet
  • History of psychotic or bipolar disorders or experiencing suicidal thoughts
  • Pregnant women, women who are breast feeding, or women planning on becoming pregnant
  • Subjects with immune-compromised condition other than inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. AIDS, lymphoma)
  • Subjects with severe uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory disease or active malignancy
  • Unable to read English or provide informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Fasting-Mimicking DietPlant-based fasting-mimicking dietParticipants will be followed for 3 weeks for baseline assessment and then consume a plant-based fasting-mimicking diet for 5 days once a month for 3 months.
Caloric-Sufficient DietPlant-based fasting-mimicking dietParticipants will be followed for 3 weeks for baseline assessment and then consume a plant-based caloric-sufficient diet for 5 days once a month for 3 months.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)From baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

A change in depressive symptoms as assessed through the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. \[Min:0; Max 27; good to poor\]

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in blood cytokinesFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in plasma concentrations of cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, TGFβ)

Changes in clinical markers of diseaseFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in fecal calprotectin

Changes in body mass index (BMI)From baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in BMI as assessed by weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters

Changes in partial Mayo Score in patients with ulcerative colitisFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in disease status as assessed by partial Mayo Score in patients with ulcerative colitis

Changes in gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cellsFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in immune function as assessed by changes in gene expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Changes in Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) in patients with Crohn's diseaseFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in disease status as assessed by HBI in Crohn's disease patients

Changes in general anxietyFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in general anxiety as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) (0-21; low to high)

Changes in levels of fatigueFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in level of fatigue as assessed by the inflammatory bowel disease-fatigue (IBD-F) self-assessment scale (0-20; low to high)

Changes in weightFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in weight in kilograms

Changes in fecal bile acidsFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in fecal concentrations of primary and secondary bile acids

Changes in quality of LifeFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in quality of life as assessed by Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ) (score 10-70, poor to good)

Changes in fecal short chain fatty acidsFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in fecal concentrations of short chain fatty acids

Changes in blood hormonesFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in plasma concentrations of hormones (ghrelin, leptin, BDNF, GLP-1, glucagon, insulin)

Changes in gut microbiomeFrom baseline through 12 and 24 weeks

Changes in gut microbiome as assessed by 16s rRNA analysis

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University of Alberta Hospital

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

University of Alberta Human Nutrition Research Unit

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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