Colonic Propionate, Appetite, and Weight Loss
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of increased colonic propionate on weight loss during a hypo-caloric diet.
IRAS ID
210536
Contact name
Gary Frost
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London Health Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Our aim is to investigate the impact of the propionate ester in conjugation with restricted diet on appetite and weight loss. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. In the United Kingdom, 58% of adult women and 65% of adult men are either overweight or obese, with the expectation that rates will increase. A previous work of our group has demonstrated that increased colonic propionate has resulted in reduced body weight gain and the development of abdominal adipose tissue. We propose that increased colonic propionate will aid the process of weight loss and will enhance dietary compliance. In this project we will define the potential mechanism of how to comply with diet and reduce body weight. Our project utilizes a novel molecule of propionate esters, in which propionate is only released when the carrier molecule inulin is fermented by colon microflora. We will carry out human trials on propionate-estre to assess its effectiveness in losing weight. Volunteers will be used to assess physiological functions related to susceptibility to obesity including measures of insulin release, gut hormones, and colonic microbiota activity.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2021
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion