Short chain fatty acids supplementation and blood pressure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of short chain fatty acids supplementation on blood pressure and related regulatory mediators in non-treated mildly hypertensive volunteers
IRAS ID
147621
Contact name
Frank Thies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
Components of the diet which effectively modulate blood pressure (BP) could represent a safe, cost-effective means of treating hypertension. We recently showed that daily consumption of three portions of whole grain foods (WGF) can significantly reduce blood pressure. The observed decrease (5 to 6 mmHg) may translate into a reduction in the risk of heart attack and stroke by at least 15% and 25% respectively. The mechanisms by which increased wholegrain consumption benefit blood pressure are unknown. However, a recent study in mice showed that propionate, a type of fat produced in the large intestine from dietary fibres by gut bacteria, can significantly decrease blood pressure. The aim of this project is to determine whether propionate, when delivered to the large intestine in specially designed capsules taken by mouth, can decrease blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Propionate is freely available as a food additive and is not known to have adverse effects. Subjects will be recruited from primary care. After an initial study with 12 people to check that the capsule delivery system works, an acute dose finding study will be performed with 12 subjects. Following this, a pilot intervention trial involving 30 subjects will be carried out to determine the effects on BP of 6 weeks of propionate supplementation (6g/day). Subjects will be randomised to either propionate capsules or placebo capsules, and neither they nor the investigators will know which. Bloods and 24 hour blood pressure measurements will be performed before, and after the six week intervention. The blood will be used to measure compounds involved in blood pressure regulation. If the findings show that calcium propionate significantly lowers blood pressure, this will allow further exploration of its potential role in blood pressure management.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
14/NS/1006
Date of REC Opinion
10 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion