Effects of β-glucans on Gut Permeability and Microbiota in Elderly

Effects of β-glucan Based Dietary Fibres on Indomethacin-induced Hyperpermeability and Gut Microbiota Composition in Elderly: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Crossover Clinical Trial

The investigators aim was to compare healthy young adults, senior orienteers (model of healthy ageing) and elderly with gastrointestinal symptoms on intestinal permeability, microbiota compositions and well-being. In addition, assess whether 3 weeks of oral intake of soluble or dispersible forms yeast-dervied beta-glucan could improve intestinal barrier function against drug-induced barrier disruption vs placebo for a cohort of elderly people with gastrointestinal symptoms, in a randomized double blinded placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial.

Baseline samples for measurements of intestinal permeability (multisugar test), microbiota composition (faecal samples) and well-being (questionnaires) were collected during the first week for:

Young healthy adults (healthy young controls) Senior orienteers (healthy elderly controls) Elderly with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms

Thereafter only the elderly with GI symptoms continued into the randomized cross-over trial where they were blindly and randomly distributed one of the following: Soluble yeast-derived beta-glucan, dispersible (whole) yeast-derived beta-glucan and placebo. Each supplement was taken for 3 weeks with a 1 week washout until all participants had taken all supplements. Towards the end of each supplement period, samples for measurement of intestinal permeability and microbiota were collected, in addition to questionnaires being filled out.

Elderly with gastrointestinal symptoms

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed consent signed by study participant
• Age >55 years
• Scoring above 2 on the dimensions for diarrhoea and constipation on the Gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS)
• Mentally and physically fit to complete questionnaires during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known or genic gastrointestinal diseasewith strictures, malignance's and ischemia.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
• Participation in other clinical trials in the past three months.
• Intake of medications know to change the inflammatory status (i.e proton pump inhibitors, antibiotic, anti-inflammtory medication (including NSAIDs)

Healthy controls

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Informed consent signed by the study participant
• Mentally and physically fit to complete questionnaires during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous abdominal surgery
• A hypertonic condition demanding medical treatment
• Diagnosed psychiatric disease
• Lactose intolerance
• Usage of medical prescribed medications, expect oral contraceptives, during the 14 days preceding study start
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Pregnant or breast feeding
• Known or genic gastrointestinal disease, with strictures, malignance's and ischemia.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
• Participation in other clinical trials in the past three months.