Study to Assess Effects of Postbiotic vs Placebo in Participants With Diarrhea-predominant IBS (PAM-DIGEST)

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Group Clinical Study to Assess Effects of Postbiotic vs. Placebo in Participants With Moderate to Severe Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The present study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical study that assesses the effect of postbioc on the complaints of subjects with moderate to severe diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). The trial is also evaluating the potential of postbiotic on anxiety, low mood and stress of the participants, as well as its safety and tolerability.

The intervention duration for all the study participants is 12 weeks (intervention phase). Subsequently, the participants will be invited to return to site for an end of study assessment after 21 days of no intervention (post-intervention phase).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Placebo; Dietary supplement: Postbiotic

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 384
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• India
  • Gujarat, India, 380025
    • GCS Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre
  • Gujarat, India, 390015
    • Nand Hospital
  • Jaipur, India
    • Maharaja Agrasen Superspeciality Hospital
  • Maharashtra, India, 411041
    • Birch Multispeciality Hospital
  • Maharashtra, India, 412101
    • Lifeline multispeciality hospital
  • Nashik, India
    • Astha Clinic
  • New Delhi, India, 110059
    • Mata Roop Rani Maggo Hospital & IVF Center
  • Uttar Pradesh, India, 221005
    • Ford Hospital
  • Uttar Pradesh, India, 226012
    • Human care hospital
  • Gujarat
    • Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, 380006
      • HCG Hospital
    • Vadodara, Gujarat, India, 390016
      • Anand Multispeciality Hospital
  • Maharashtra
    • Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400059
      • Stress Test Clinic
    • Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400069
      • Criticare Asia Multispeciality Hospital & Research Centre
    • Nashik, Maharashtra, India, 422003
      • Surya Multispeciality Hospital
    • Nashik, Maharashtra, India, 422011
      • Astha Clinic
    • Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400614
      • Apollo Hospital
    • Pune, Maharashtra, India, 411027
      • Gastrohub Hospital
    • Pune, Maharashtra, India, 411045
      • Umarji Mother and Child Care Hospital
    • Pune, Maharashtra, India, 412101
      • Lifeline multispeciality hospital
    • Pālghar, Maharashtra, India, 401303
      • Swara Hospital
    • Thane, Maharashtra, India, 421203
      • Asian Institute of Medical Sciences
  • Rajasthan
    • Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, 302039
      • Maharaja Agrasen Superspeciality Hospital
  • Uttar Pradesh
    • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, 221005
      • Samvedna Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men and women from 18 to 55 years old.

2. Individuals diagnosed for IBS within the last two years, and meets Rome-IV criteria for IBS: recurrent abdominal pain on average ≥1 day/week in ≥3 months prior to study (with symptom onset ≥6 months prior to study), associated with ≥2 of the following criteria:

   1. Related to defecation
   2. Associated with a change in frequency of stool
   3. Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.
3. Has IBS-D, i.e., more than ¼ (25%) of bowel movements with Bristol stool types 6 or 7 and less than ¼ (25%) of bowel movements with Bristol stool types 1 or 2); in other words, put practically and as per FDA: at least 2 days per week with at least one stool that has a consistency of Type 6 or Type 7 BSS.
4. Has an IBS-SSS of at least 175 points at screening.
5. Individuals either with abdominal pain or discomfort (≥ 6 to ≤ 10 on an 11-point scale).
6. Has had no prior line of conventional intervention for IBS or dietary change in the last 4 weeks before screening (e.g., low FODMAP, soluble fibers, antispasmodics, laxatives, obstipants, serotonin agonist/antagonist) i.e., recently diagnosed individuals

7. Individuals' agreement to comply with study procedures, in particular:

   1. to take IP as recommended,
   2. to avoid the use of other products which may influence the gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, mental symptoms or commensal flora during the study as defined in Section 6.8 Prior and Concomitant Therapy,
   3. to keep the habitual dietary habits, level of physical activity as well as the level of caffeine or nicotine (if any),
   4. to complete the individual's diary and study questionnaires.

8. Women of childbearing potential:

   1. commitment to use contraception methods,
   2. Negative pregnancy testing (beta human chorionic gonadotropin test in urine).
9. Readiness not to participate in another clinical study during this study.
10. Participation is based upon written informed consent by the individual following written and oral information by the investigator regarding nature, purpose, consequences and possible risks of the clinical study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the components of the investigational product.
2. Smokers
3. Lactose or fructose intolerance.
4. Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension as assessed by systolic blood pressure ≥ to 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ to 100mmHg.
5. History of diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction, stricture, toxic megacolon, GI (gastro-intestinal) perforation, fecal impaction, gastric banding, bariatric surgery, adhesions, ischemic colitis, or impaired intestinal circulation (e.g., aorto-iliac disease) or recent unexplained GI bleeding within 3 months prior to screening.
6. History of malignancy within 3 years before screening (except squamous and basal cell carcinomas and cervical carcinoma in situ).
7. History and/or presence of acute or chronic significant GI disease or digestion/absorption disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, Clostridium difficile colitis, pancreatitis, disorders in digestive tract motility, gluten enteropathy, etc.)
8. Major gastric, hepatic, biliary, pancreas or intestinal surgery within the last 6 months prior to screening or planned during the study (appendectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, or polypectomy allowed as long as occurred > 3 months prior to study screening; uncomplicated laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy is allowed if no history of post-operative biliary tract pain and surgery occurred > 3 months prior to screening).
9. Clinically significant findings in colonoscopy within the 3 years prior to study.
10. Family history among first degree relatives of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
11. Individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disease (e.g., bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia) with or without medication in the last three years.
12. Individuals currently on medication for anxiety and/or depression

13. Individual has a history and/or presence of other clinically significant condition/disorder, which per investigator's judgement could interfere with the results of the study or the safety of the participants, e.g.:

    1. thyroid gland disorder
    2. hypertension
    3. diabetes mellitus
    4. eating disorder
    5. immunodeficiency
    6. relevant gynecological or urological disorder
    7. any other relevant serious organ or systemic diseases ( e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, liver, renal, neurological disease, etc.)

14. Regular medication and/or supplementation within the last month prior to and planned during the study:

    1. antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics within 4 weeks before enrollment for screening.
    2. medication for IBS complaints, e.g., bile acid binders (cholestyramine), rifaximin, alosetron, lubiprostone, eluxadoline and linaclotide
    3. which could influence gastrointestinal functions (e.g., laxatives, opioids, systemic corticosteroids, anti-cholinergics, anti-diarrheals, proton pump inhibitors, H2-blockers, etc.) as per investigator judgement. Exception: ad hoc use of Macrolits.
15. Regular use of psychopharmaca (e.g., hypnotics / sedative drugs, anxiolytics, antidepressants, neuroleptics, anticonvulsants) within 3 months prior to study or adaptogens (e.g., ginseng, Ashwagandha, satavari, St. John's Wort) within 6 weeks prior to and during the study.
16. Introductions of a specific diet (e.g., low carb, vegan, high fibre, low FODMAP) within last 3 months prior to and during the study.
17. Women of child-bearing potential: pregnancy or nursing.
18. History of or current abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco/nicotine or medica tion.
19. Participation in another study during the last 30 days prior to and during the study.
20. Any other reason for exclusion as per investigator's judgment, e.g., insufficient compliance with study procedures.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; 1 capsule a day, 15 minutes before breakfast with a glass of water for 12 weeks	Dietary supplement: Placebo; 1 capsule a day, 15 minutes before breakfast with a glass of water for 12 weeks
Experimental: Postbiotic; 1 capsule a day, 15 minutes before breakfast with a glass of water for 12 weeks	Dietary supplement: Postbiotic; 1 capsule a day, 15 minutes before breakfast with a glass of water for 12 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To assess the impact of Investigational Product relative to placebo on percentage responders in terms of improvement of the IBS-Symptom Severity Scores (SSS) in participants with moderate to severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.	A responder is defined as a participant who has a decrease in IBS-SSS of at least 50 points (minimal clinically important difference or MCID)	Baseline (Day 0), and Week 12 (Day 84)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on the percentage of participants who are responders in terms of improvement of the IBS-SSS from baseline at week 8	A responder is defined as a participant who has a decrease in IBS-SSS of at least 50 points (minimal clinically important difference or MCID)	Baseline (Day 0) and Week 8 (Day 56)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on mean change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 score	The GAD-7 scores are calculated by assigning scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 to the response categories. GAD-7 total score for the seven items ranges from 0 to 21. 0-4: minimal anxiety; 5-9: mild anxiety; 10-14: moderate anxiety and 15-21: severe anxiety. The change from baseline in GAD#7 scores will be assessed.	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on the percentage of participants who are responders in terms of improvement of the GAD-7 from baseline at week 12.	The GAD-7 scores are calculated by assigning scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 to the response categories. GAD-7 total score for the seven items ranges from 0 to 21. 0-4: minimal anxiety; 5-9: mild anxiety; 10-14: moderate anxiety and 15-21: severe anxiety. The change from baseline in GAD#7 scores will be assessed. A decrease in GAD-7 of at least 4 points compared to baseline is considered clinically meaningful improvement.	Baseline (Day 0) and Week 12 (Day 84)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on mean change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 score	The PHQ-9 is the 9-item depression module. As a severity measure, the PHQ-9 score can range from 0 to 27. The score will be interpreted as follows: 0-4: None - Minimal 5-9: Mild 10-14: Moderate 15-19: Moderately severe 20-27: Severe	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on the percentage of participants who are responders in terms of improvement of the PHQ-9 from baseline at week 12.	The PHQ-9 is the 9-item depression module. As a severity measure, the PHQ-9 score can range from 0 to 27. The score will be interpreted as follows: 0-4: None - Minimal 5-9: Mild 10-14: Moderate 15-19: Moderately severe 20-27: Severe. . A decrease in PHQ-9 of at least 2 points compared to baseline.	Baseline (Day 0) and Week 12 (Day 84)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on mean change in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)	The questions in this scale ask about feelings and thoughts of an individual during the last month.Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on mean change in Bristol Stool Form Score (BSFS)	BSFS is expressed as decrease in the % of abnormal stool consistencies (and thus increase in the % with normal consistency).	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on occurrence of normal BSFS score at the end of the study	BSFS is expressed as decrease in the % of abnormal stool consistencies (and thus increase in the % with normal consistency).	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on the quality of life as assessed by the mean change in IBS-QOL scores	It measures 8 disease-relevant domains: dysphoria, interference with activity, body image, health worry, food avoidance, social reaction, sexual and relationship issues. It is a 34#item questionnaire with each item rated on a 5# point scale (34-170), with increasing scores indicating the deteriorating quality of life.	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on mean change in IBS-SSS value	A responder is defined as a participant who has a decrease in IBS-SSS of at least 50 points (minimal clinically important difference or MCID)	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on compliance with the intake of the investigational product	A diary will be provided to the participant for ensuring compliance. The participant will be asked to fill IP missed or lost details in the diary.	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on Safety and tolerance	Adverse events, Vital signs (Pulse Rate, Blood Pressure), Liver Function test, Renal Function Test, Complete Blood Count	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)
To assess the impact of the Investigational Product in comparison to placebo on the impact of IBS on their quality of life using the IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) instrument.	It measures 8 disease-relevant domains: dysphoria, interference with activity, body image, health worry, food avoidance, social reaction, sexual and relationship issues. It is a 34#item questionnaire with each item rated on a 5# point scale (34-170), with increasing scores indicating the deteriorating quality of life. A decrease of 10 points or more is considered a clinically meaningful improvement.	Baseline (Day 0), Week 4 (Day 28), Week 8 (Day 56), Week 12 (Day 84), Week 15 (Day 105)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: A-Mansia Biotech S.A.
• Collaborators: Vedic Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 18, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 29, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): July 13, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 29, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 29, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): April 4, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: IBS
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Intestinal Diseases; Disease; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Colonic Diseases, Functional; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Syndrome; Diarrhea
• Other Study ID Numbers: TAC/231001/AKM/IBS; IBS-D PAM (Other Identifier: The Akkermansia Company)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No