Do Iron Supplements Impact the Gut Microbiome of Women of Reproductive Age?

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

82 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-08-31

Study Completion Date

2022-01-01

Brief Summary

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In this randomised controlled trial the investigators will determine whether taking iron supplements compared to placebo for 21 days alters the bacteria (microbiome) in the large intestine of non-pregnant female participants.

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Detailed Description

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BACKGROUND: Many women take iron-containing supplements during pregnancy. Indeed, the World Health Organization recommends that all pregnant women in low-income countries take an iron supplement containing 60 mg/day of elemental iron to reduce iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia. However, oral iron has poor bioavailability, less than 10% absorbed with the remainder passing into the large intestine unbound, potentially providing a competitive advantage to iron-dependent opportunistic pathogens in the large intestine.

In a large randomized control trial in children, iron supplementation was shown to promote the growth of pathogenic species (E. coli, S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes) and inhibited the growth of commensal species (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium). These pathogens are associated with enteric infections, while the commensals act on the host's immune system to prevent colonization and invasion by pathogens.

It is NOT known if iron supplementation during pregnancy impacts the maternal and infant microbiome and, by extension, how this affects the neonatal risk of infection and immune dysregulation. Vertical transmission of the maternal microbiome to the newborn is a major determinant of infant health. If maternal iron supplementation affects the infant's health, strategies would be required to mitigate this risk.

The investigators require preliminary data to show how oral iron supplementation alters the intestinal microbiome in women. The Investigators will recruit non-pregnant female participants as there is no risk of vertical transmission to an infant in non-pregnant women. The investigators will conduct the study in Australia because there is not a natural abundance of pathogens that could potentially cause harm to the women. Nevertheless, the investigators would expect a shift in the microbiome from non-iron to iron, requiring bacterial species to return to baseline after women stop taking the iron.

HYPOTHESIS: Daily iron supplementation versus placebo for 21 days will alter the stool microbiome composition compared to placebo in non-pregnant female participants of reproductive age.

METHODS: 80 female participants (18-45 y) will be randomized to receive capsules containing iron (65.7 mg of elemental iron as ferrous fumarate) or placebo to take daily for 21 days. Stool samples will be collected at baseline, 21 days, and 42 days (washout).

Conditions

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Iron-deficiency Microbial Colonization Anemia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

A randomized, controlled, researcher and participant blinded trial with two parallel groups

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Supplements were packaged by LifeCare Compounding Pharmacy and labelled by staff not involved in the trial, with 2 colours per treatment group.

The randomisation schedule was prepared by an independent statistician. The schedule allocates women to one of the four colours in the ratio 1:1:1:1 using randomly permuted blocks.

Study Groups

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Iron Supplement

65.7 mg of iron as ferrous fumarate

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Ferrous Fumarate

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Gelatin capsule containing 200 mg ferrous fumarate and microcrystalline cellulose

Placebo

0 mg of iron

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Gelatin capsule containing microcrystalline cellulose

Interventions

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Ferrous Fumarate

Gelatin capsule containing 200 mg ferrous fumarate and microcrystalline cellulose

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

Gelatin capsule containing microcrystalline cellulose

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Other Intervention Names

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Iron Fumarate ferro-tab Control

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Planning on becoming pregnant
* Diagnosed with iron deficiency and/or anaemia in the previous three months
* Taken antibiotics in the past three months
* Taken iron containing supplements in the past three months

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes