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

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Healthy Adults
• High Altitude
• Isolation, Social

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Human milk oligosaccharides

Prebiotic

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Maltose

Control

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bologna

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Bonn

  collaborator OTHER

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

  collaborator FED

• University of Lorraine

  collaborator OTHER

• German Institute of Food Technologies

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Chr Hansen

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• European Space Agency

  collaborator OTHER

• MVZ Institute for Microecology

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• DLR German Aerospace Center

  collaborator OTHER

• IU University of Applied Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Martina Heer, PhD · IU International University of Applied Sciences, Erfurt, Germany

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-24

Primary Completion

2027-05-31

Completion

2027-08-31

Countries

• Germany

Study Locations