Oral Supplement in Older Adults to Support Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being (PQQA)

Cucumbers have been anecdotally claimed to have anti-inflammatory activity for a long time, but the active principle was not identified. idoBR1 is an iminosugar amino acid isolated from fruits of certain cucumbers, Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae), which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity. IminoTech Inc in the USA has produced a quality-controlled cucumber extract containing measured idoBR1 (Q-actin™) that has given good results in osteo-arthritis from oral use.

The investigators are aiming to recruit a cohort (n = 50) of middle aged and older adults (>50 years) who will be randomised into Q-actin (2 x 10 mg gummies daily) or placebo (2 x 10 mg gummies daily) supplementation for 12 weeks. Using hand grip strength and the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) the investigators will measure physical strength and finger dexterity respectively. The investigators will measure generic quality of life with the EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 (EQ-5D) questionnaire, sleep quality, diet choices and collect urine samples for the investigation into the chemical composition (metabolomics).

Randomisation will be blinded, and the participant and the researcher will not know what group participants in until after the completion of the study, then it will be disclosed.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Osteo-arthritis
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Placebo; Dietary supplement: Q-actin

Detailed Description

Cucumbers have been anecdotally claimed to have anti-inflammatory activity for a long time, but the active principle was not identified. idoBR1 is an iminosugar amino acid isolated from fruits of certain cucumbers, Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae), which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity.

The investigators would like to explore if consumption of cucumber extract Q-actin when compared with placebo can have an impact on physical strength (measured by hand grip strength), finger dexterity (measured by Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT)) as well as quality of life (EuroQol 5 Dimension 5: EQ-5D questionnaire), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and diet (diet questionnaires are tailored to the participants eating habits, e.g., carnivore, vegetarian, fish, vegan etc). The investigators will explore urine chemical composition use high resolution metabolomics do this by looking at the chemical composition of home-collected urine.

After pre-induction over the phone, if the person is eligible and still interested, the investigators will firstly run through an induction session. This can be done by phone, Teams or in person, whatever suits best. The study is split into three experimental sessions where the participant will be randomised to one of two supplements, Q-actin (2 x 10 mg gummies daily) or placebo (2 x 10 mg gummies daily) supplementation for 12 weeks. The vegan gummies will need to be consumed in the evening, before bed-time. Randomisation will be blinded, and the participant and the researcher will not know what group they in until after the completion of the study. The participant will need to come to the centre for physical strength and finger dexterity measurements using hand grip strength and the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) respectively. The investigators will measure generic quality of life with the EQ-5D questionnaire, record diet choices, record sleeping habits using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and collect urine samples before and after the supplementation period. The investigators would like participants to restrict from consumption of cucumber, gherkins, and melon for two days before coming to the centre.

Whilst undergoing the study, if necessary, the research team will be easily contacted by email, Teams and phone.

The visits

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at each visit. Each visit will take up to an hour

Induction

First, the participant will be welcomed with tea or coffee. The investigators will run through how the investigators are working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19). Then the investigators will introduce the participant to the urine sampling boxes, provide crib sheets and email the participant with a link to a video demonstration, if needed. The investigators will run through the logistics of study visits and the tasks that will be completed.

The investigators will also email the participant a link to the EQ-5D questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and diet questionnaire, or give them a paper copy, so that they can complete these in the centre or at home (whatever is preferred).

The investigators will arrange the participants testing day 1, 2 and 3 visit dates and times.

Testing day 1 (start)

On the participants pre-organised day and time, will will ask them to collect 2 x 4ml first urine sample at home using home-collection urine kits. These samples will be stored in the participants home home fridge between 2-5 degrees. The participant will then come to the centre at a pre-organised timeslot with their urine samples for physical strength and finger dexterity activities. Will will ask them to make sure they complete their EQ-5D, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and diet questionnaire before they start their supplementation.

Testing day 2 (after 6 weeks)

After the 6-week supplementation period the investigators would like the participant to complete the activities that they undertook during testing day 1.

On their pre-organised day and time, will will ask them to collect 2 x 4ml first urine sample at home using home-collection urine kits. The investigators will ask the participant to store these samples in their home fridge between 2-5 degrees. The participant will then come to the centre for their pre-organised timeslot with their urine samples for physical strength and finger dexterity activities. The investigators will ask the participant to make sure they complete their EQ-5D, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, and diet questionnaire before or just after testing day 2.

Testing day 3 (after 12 weeks)

After the 12-week supplementation period the investigators would like the participant to complete the activities that they undertook during testing day 1.

On their pre-organised day and time, will will ask them to collect 2 x 4ml first urine sample at home using home-collection urine kits. The investigators will ask the participant to store these samples in their home fridge between 2-5 degrees. The participant will then come to the centre for their pre-organised timeslot with their urine samples for physical strength and finger dexterity activities. The investigators will ask the participant to make sure they complete their EQ-5D, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, and diet questionnaire before or just after testing day 3.

There will also be an optional feedback questionnaire at the end.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Amanda J Lloyd, PhD, BSc; Phone Number: 07811618109; Email: abl@aber.ac.uk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Alina Warren, Ms, BSc; Phone Number: 07539440811; Email: arw21@aber.ac.uk

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Ceredigion
    • Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom, SY23 3FD
      • Recruiting
      • Well-being and Health Assessment Research Unit (WARU)
      • Contact: Amanda J Lloyd, PhD, BSc; Phone Number: 07811618109; Email: abl@aber.ac.uk
      • Contact: Alina Warren, Ms, BSc; Phone Number: 07539440811; Email: arw21@aber.ac.uk
      • Principal Investigator: Amanda J Lloyd, PhD, BSc
      • Sub-Investigator: Alina Warren, Ms, BSc

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 50 years, mixed gender, mixed ethnicity
• Consenting adults >50 y Age
• Commit to urine sampling
• Able to commit to attending WARU or the remote centre for measurements of physical strength, finger dexterity, quality of life, diet choices, sleep Able to restrict from consumption of cucumber, gherkins, and melon for two days before coming to WARU or the remote centre

Exclusion Criteria:

• Showing (or anyone within the household) any COVID-19 symptoms (see COVID-19 basic health screen)*
• Higher risk or vulnerable from coronavirus or live with someone at a higher risk of a severe illness from COVID-19 (over 70, undergoing cancer treatment, high risk of getting infections).
• Had a letter from the NHS advising you to shield (isolate)
• Had been at risk of exposure to COVID-19 such as travel, contact with someone with COVID-19, been exposed to the virus, or has been asked to self-isolate by the track and trace system.
• Serious health conditions that require daily long-term medication

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Q-actin; Q-actin gummies (2 x 10mg) daily for 12 weeks	Dietary supplement: Q-actin; idoBR1 is an iminosugar amino acid isolated from fruits of certain cucumbers, Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae), which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity. IminoTech Inc in the USA has produced a quality-controlled cucumber extract containing measured idoBR1 (Q-actin™) that has given good results in osteo-arthritis from oral use.; Other Names: idoBR1
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Placebo gummies (2 x 10mg) daily for 12 weeks	Dietary supplement: Placebo; Placebo

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Physical strength	Hand grip strength using a hand held dynamometer	Change from Baseline grip strength at 12 weeks
Finger dexterity measurements	Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT)	Change from baseline Finger dexterity at 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
EuroQol 5 Dimension 5L (combined score)	EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 5L questionnaire: Generic quality of life. Mobility- Level 1-5 Self-Care- Level 1-5, Usual Activities- Level 1-5, Pain/Discomfort- Level 1-5, Anxiety/Depression- Level 1-5. The digits for the five dimensions will be combined into a 5-digit number that describes the patient's health state.	Reduced score from baseline EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 score at 12 weeks.
Diet choices	Measured using the Prime Diet Quality Score. The PDQS measures intake of the 22 component foods/food groups over the last 30 days with seven possible responses for each component ranging from "once a month or less" to "≥ 2 times/day." Scores are then summed to create a PDQS total diet quality score with a possible score from 0 to 126 with higher scores indicating a healthier diet.	Increased score from baseline Prime Diet Quality Score at 12 weeks
Record sleeping habits	Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Component 1: Subjective sleep quality-question 9 Component 2: Sleep latency-questions 2 and 5a Component 3: Sleep duration-question 4 Component 4: Sleep efficiency-questions 1, 3, and 4 Component 5: Sleep disturbance-questions 5b-5j Component 6: Use of sleep medication-question 6 Component 7: Daytime dysfunction-questions 7 and 8 Global PSQI Score: Sum of seven component scores	Decreased score from baseline Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aberystwyth University
• Collaborators: Welsh Government; Phytoquest Ltd; Gateway Health Alliances, Inc
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Amanda Jane J Lloyd, PhD, BSc, Aberystwyth University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 22, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 22, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 22, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 20, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 24, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): May 26, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 26, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 24, 2023
• Last Verified: April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physical fitness; Mental well-being; Older adults; Sleep quality
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 23767; PQQA (Other Identifier: WARU)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: individual participant data (IPD) will not be made available to other researchers.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No