MedTrace Logo

The Effects of the Bile Acid Supplement, 7-keto Lithocholic Acid, on Human Gut Microbiota and Risk Factors for Disease.

NCT07499414 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-03-30

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In humans and most mammals, bile acids play a role in the metabolism of glucose and the transport and absorption of lipids (such as cholesterol and triglycerides), vitamins, and nutrients by allowing for emulsification (mixing) and absorption of fatty molecules that are consumed. More recently, bile acids have been discovered to influence the composition and quantity of the microorganisms in the gut microbiome. Bile acids also act as signalling molecules (like hormones) in the body, regulating important metabolic pathways and digestion.

While the majority of bile acids are recycled back to the liver, a small proportion of these bile acids enter the colon and interact with the gut microbiota. Primary bile acids, synthesized in the liver, are essential for the absorption of fat- and fat-soluble vitamins, as part of the digestive process. These primary bile acids are converted to secondary bile acids by gut bacteria, which have been shown to have benefits to health. This provides the rationale for exploring the use of a bile acid, in this case 7-keto lithocholic acid (7-KLCA), as a beneficial modulator of the gut microbiome, to help regulate metabolic and potentially other disease pathways.

Conditions

  • Healthy

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

7-KLCA

This study will be conducted as a 16 week duration parallel study. The trial will last for 112 days (16 weeks, includes a 1 month washout period and a follow up study visit to assess lasting effects) maximum, with participants assigned the intervention (400mg, taken once daily, 7-KLCA in tablet form) or maltodextrin placebo (also in matched tablet form) for 84 days.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Maltodextrin

This study will be conducted as a 16 week duration parallel study. The trial will last for 112 days (16 weeks, includes a 1 month washout period and a follow up study visit to assess lasting effects) maximum, with participants assigned the intervention (400mg, taken once daily, 7-KLCA in tablet form) or maltodextrin placebo (also in matched tablet form) for 84 days.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • ABC Farmaceutici S.p.A.

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • University of Reading

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-06
Primary Completion
2027-04-05
Completion
2027-12-31

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07499414 on ClinicalTrials.gov