The Effect of Wobenzym PS on Inflammation (WO)

The general objective of this project is to examine the impact of Wobenzym PS supplementation on blood markers of inflammation and inflammation gene expression in volunteers with sub-clinical inflammation.

The study will be undertaken according to a double-blind, cross over, randomized, placebo controlled design. The study will involve men and women with subclinical inflammation (n=24). Eligible subjects will have blood CRP >1 mg/L and <10 mg/L and will be in good health. The impact of Wobenzym PS on inflammation (vs. placebo) will be assessed by comparing the blood fasting concentrations and whole blood gene expression of anti- and pro-inflammatory proteins before and after the 4-week supplementation (Wobenzym and placebo). The two 4-week supplementation will be separated by a 4-week wash out period.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sub-clinical Inflammation
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Placebo; Dietary supplement: Wobenzym PS

Detailed Description

Inflammation is being increasingly recognized as key etiological factor in the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). This pro-atherogenic state is strongly correlated and often found co-segregating among individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome. There is increasing evidence to support the use in clinical practice of these novel markers of atherosclerosis and CVD risk. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been used extensively as a non-specific marker of acute phase response in clinical practice for decades. More recently, CRP has also been proposed to be a new cardiovascular biomarker of atherosclerosis and its complications. Studies that have investigated the predictive value of sub-acute CRP levels have been relatively consistent in showing that individuals with high hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) levels (>3.0 mg/L) were at greater risk of CVD compared to individuals with lower (<1.0 mg/L) hsCRP levels, independent of gender and plasma cholesterol concentrations. Wobenzym is an enzyme formula primarily recommended for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Several studies in the areas of arthritis and post-surgery have reported the acute anti-inflammatory effects of Wobenzym in terms of changes in CRP. Whether Wobenzym plays a role in managing sub-acute inflammation as well remains to be investigated.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 27
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Quebec, Canada, G1V 0A6
    • Institute of nutrition and functionnal foods

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women aged between 18-75 years
• Subclinical inflammation (CRP levels > 1 mg/L and < 10 mg/L)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hypersensitivity to Wobenzym PS constituents
• Severe congenital or acquired coagulation disorders (e.g. haemophilia, in dialysis patients)
• Severe liver damage
• Prior to surgical operations
• Any clinical signs or laboratory evidence for severe inflammatory, endocrine, renal/pulmonary, neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, haematological, or psychiatric condition, which in the Investigator's opinion contraindicates a 4-week course of Wobenzym PS use
• Active malignancy of any type or history of a malignancy within the last five years other than basal cell carcinoma.
• Any active gastrointestinal disease
• Use of anticoagulants or thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors, chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics, medication for lipids, diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, mood disorders
• Use of NSAID (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug) within 1 month of entering the study
• Excessive alcohol consumption (more than two drinks by day for men, one for women) and active alcoholism; smoking; drug use and history of drug abuse; supplements or natural products consumption during the study
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Wobenzym PS; During the 4-week of the Wobenzym supplementation, participants will take 6 tablets of Wobenzym: 2 tablets 3 times daily at least 45 minutes before meal.	Dietary supplement: Wobenzym PS
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; During the 4-week of placebo phase, participants will take 6 tablets of placebo: 2 tablets 3 times daily at least 45 minutes before meal.	Dietary supplement: Placebo

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change in the expression of anti- and pro-inflammatory genes in total blood RNA from white blood cells (WBC)	At the end of the two 4-weeks supplementation (week 4 and week 12)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change in blood levels of anti- and pro-inflammatory markers	At the end of the two 4-weeks supplementation (week 4 and week 12)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Laval University
• Collaborators: Atrium Innovations

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 3, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): May 8, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): April 2, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 1, 2014
• Last Verified: April 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Inflammation; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Immunologic Factors; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Wobenzym
• Other Study ID Numbers: INAF-2012-076