Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and Gut Microbiota, Immune System in Antarctica

Enrolling by invitation · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Healthy Adults, High Altitude, Isolation, Social

In brief

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third-most abundant component in mothers' milk and are an important prebiotic factor for the development of the gut microbiota of infants, promoting the growth of certain beneficial bacterial strains and providing protection against many bacterial and viral infections. HMOs induce immunomodulatory activity by affecting immune cell populations and functions. In a simulator of the adult human intestinal microbial ecosystem, fermentation of HMOs led to an increase of bifidobacteria in parallel with an increase in short-chain fatty acids as well as a reduction in inflammation markers, supporting the potential of HMOs to provide health benefits also in adults. Long-term stay in microgravity induces many physiological responses, including diminished immune function and impaired glucose tolerance which may lead to rather severe consequences. Similarly, hypoxia conditions as in the Concordia station, affects the immune system and may lead to impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. The hypothesis is that HMOs as a prebiotic supplement will mitigate changes in immune function, glucose tolerance, lipid homeostasis, and neurotransmitter production. It is expected that HMO supplementation will * Modulate gut microbiota composition and function * Improve inflammation status * Improve immune function * Improve glucose tolerance * Improve nutritional status * Prevent changes in neurotransmitters associated with anxiety and depression. During the stay in Antarctica an HMO blend will be supplemented to the verum group of volunteers. The control group will receive a placebo. Experiment days with blood drawing, an oral glucose tolerance test, saliva sampling, and feces samples are planned once before, about every second month in Concordia, and once after return.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06133530

Run by

IU University of Applied Sciences

People needed

26

Starts

2023-09-24

Expected to finish

2027-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-31

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Physically and mentally healthy subjects
• Volunteers that are able and declare their willingness to participate in the entire study
• Fasting blood glucose concentration: <120 mg/dL
• Willing to be assigned randomly either to the treatment or the control group
• Successfully pass the medical screening
• Signed informed consent
• Social insurance

You may not qualify if…

• Medication that may interfere with the interpretation of the results
• Recent sub-standard nutritional status
• Abuse of drugs, medicine or alcohol
• Participation in another study up to two months before study onset
• Cannot clear a criminal background check
• No signed consent form before the onset of the experiment
• Blood donors in the past three months before the onset of the experiment
• Vegetarian and Vegans

Where it is running

• IU International University of Applied Sciences — Erfurt, Germany

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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