The Combined Effect of Dietary Nitrate and Caloric Restriction on Cognitive and Vascular Function.

NCT ID: NCT06151015

Last Updated: 2024-12-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-05-06
• Study Completion Date: 2025-09-30

Brief Summary

This pilot study will compare the effect of combining dietary nitrate and caloric restriction versus dietary nitrate alone. The participant will be contacted, having responded to an advertisement on social media and posters, to attend the screening visit. They will be asked about their health status, suitability for MRI and availability. The investigators will use physical activity and eating attitude questionnaires. The investigators will also measure their height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) and undertake blood tests. If they are eligible, they will be randomised to one of the two arms. The first group will consume nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a calorie-restricted diet for 28 days. The second group will drink the same juice with a weight-maintenance diet for the same period. The food and drinks will be provided. The outcome measures will be measured twice (at the baseline and end visits) to evaluate the change. The primary outcome is the cognitive function. The secondary outcomes are peripheral vascular health (BP and microvascular perfusion), cerebral vascular health (brain blood flow), anthropometry, body composition, and exhaled NO and nitrate concentrations. Also, the feasibility and accessibility of the study will be assessed.

Detailed Description

Twenty healthy males and females, aged 60-70 years, non-smokers, and living with overweight or obesity (BMI 25-40 kg/m2) will be recruited to a 28-day pilot, randomised, parallel trial to follow one of the interventions (dietary nitrate with calorie-restricted diet or dietary nitrate with weight-maintenance diet) if they are eligible. Their energy requirement will be calculated using the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation, and the participant will be instructed to follow a healthy diet ( pre-diet standardisation) for three days before the intervention to minimise the effect of the sudden change of their habitual diet (during which their energy requirement will be met). At the Baseline Visit (Day 0), they will be randomised to one of the two arms, and the outcome measurements will be taken. Cognitive function will be measured via a pen-and-paper test (TMT) and a cognitive battery of tests (COMPASS). Clinic and home resting blood pressure (BP) will be measured using an automated BP monitor. Microvascular perfusion will be measured by a Laser Doppler monitor. Cerebral blood flow will be measured using a brain MRI scan. Height, weight, BMI, skinfold thickness, and waist circumference will be measured via a wall-mounted stadiometer, calibrated scale, BMI equation, calipers, and a tape measure, respectively. Body composition will be measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Exhaled NO will be measured using a fractional exhaled nitric oxide analyser (FeNO). Blood samples will be taken to measure plasma nitrate concentrations. Physical activity will be monitored through a wearable smartwatch with an integrated accelerometer. The participants will be provided with 14 bottles of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (70 ml, which provides 6.5mmol of nitrate/day) with their allocated diet to be consumed in the next 14 days, starting from the next day (Day 1), and the remaining 14 days' supply will be delivered on Day 13. There will be an energy deficit of 1,000 kcal/day if they are allocated to the caloric restriction group. Otherwise, the energy requirement will be met. After completing the 28-day intervention, the participant will attend the End Visit (Day 29), to repeat the same study measurements they have done in the Baseline Visit. An exit feedback questionnaire will be given to collect information on the acceptability and compliance with the measurement protocols and intervention.

Conditions

Healthy; Older Adults; Overweight and Obesity

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Dietary nitrate plus caloric restriction

Participants will drink beetroot juice with a calorie-restricted diet for 28 days.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice plus calorie-restricted diet

Intervention Type: OTHER

One daily bottle (70ml) of nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a calorie-restricted diet (1,000kcal deficit).

Dietary nitrate alone

Participants will drink beetroot juice with a weight-maintenance diet for 28 days.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice plus weight-maintenance diet

Intervention Type: OTHER

One daily bottle (70ml) of nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a weight-maintenance diet (energy will be met).

Interventions

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice plus calorie-restricted diet

One daily bottle (70ml) of nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a calorie-restricted diet (1,000kcal deficit).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice plus weight-maintenance diet

One daily bottle (70ml) of nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a weight-maintenance diet (energy will be met).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participant is able to give written informed consent for their participation in the study.
• Healthy.
• Non-smoking adults.
• Male or female.
• Aged 60 to 75 years.
• BMI between 25 and 40 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria

• Systolic BP > 180mmHg and/or diastolic BP >110mmHg at the Clinic Screening Visit.
• Contraindication for MRI.
• Does not have adequate understanding of verbal and written information in English, sufficient to complete an MRI safety screening and to give informed consent.
• Any existing or previous medical condition that may affect the study outcomes (i.e., diabetes, kidney dysfunction, malignant cancer, brain surgery, stroke).
• Any medical treatment that may affect the study outcomes (i.e., diuretics, anti-acids, organic nitrates, anti-pyschotics or neuro-stimulants).
• Evidence of an eating disorder as indicated by the Three-factor eating questionnaire (Eating Attitudes Tests-26).
• Blood donation within the last 3 months of the anticipated intervention beginnings.
• Having taken part in a research study in the last 3 months involving invasive procedures or an inconvenience allowance.
• High-alcohol consumers (≥ 14 units/week for females, and ≥ 22 units/week for males).
• Vegetarianism (likely to have very high nitrate intake and food provided during the dietary intervention unsuitable).
• Weight change over 3.0kg in the last 2 months (important influence on vascular function).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

King Abdulaziz University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Moira Taylor

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Moira Taylor

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Moira A Taylor, PhD RD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nottingham

Locations

The University of Nottingham

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United Kingdom

Central Contacts

Moira A Taylor, PhD RD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +44 (0)115 823 0141

Email: Moira.Taylor@nottingham.ac.uk

Mushari Alharbi, MBBS, MSc

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +44 (0)115 823 0141

Email: Mushari.Alharbi@nottingham.ac.uk

Facility Contacts

Mushari Alharbi, MBBS, MSc

Role: primary

Moira A Taylor, PhD RD

Role: backup

References

Alharbi M, Stephan BC, Shannon OM, Siervo M. Does dietary nitrate boost the effects of caloric restriction on brain health? Potential physiological mechanisms and implications for future research. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2023 Oct 25;20(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12986-023-00766-9.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 37880786 (View on PubMed)

Alharbi M, Chiurazzi M, Nasti G, Muscariello E, Mastantuono T, Koechl C, Stephan BC, Shannon OM, Colantuoni A, Siervo M. Caloric Restriction (CR) Plus High-Nitrate Beetroot Juice Does Not Amplify CR-Induced Metabolic Adaptation and Improves Vascular and Cognitive Functions in Overweight Adults: A 14-Day Pilot Randomised Trial. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 10;15(4):890. doi: 10.3390/nu15040890.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 36839248 (View on PubMed)

Babateen AM, Shannon OM, O'Brien GM, Olgacer D, Koehl C, Fostier W, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Moderate doses of dietary nitrate elicit greater effects on blood pressure and endothelial function than a high dose: A 13-week pilot study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023 Jun;33(6):1263-1267. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.02.024. Epub 2023 Mar 2.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 36958967 (View on PubMed)

Shannon OM, Gregory S, Siervo M. Dietary nitrate, aging and brain health: the latest evidence. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2022 Nov 1;25(6):393-400. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000866. Epub 2022 Aug 9.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 35943128 (View on PubMed)

Siervo M, Babateen A, Alharbi M, Stephan B, Shannon O. Dietary nitrate and brain health. Too much ado about nothing or a solution for dementia prevention? Br J Nutr. 2022 Sep 28;128(6):1130-1136. doi: 10.1017/S0007114522002434.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 36688430 (View on PubMed)

Babateen AM, Shannon OM, O'Brien GM, Okello E, Smith E, Olgacer D, Koehl C, Fostier W, Wightman E, Kennedy D, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Incremental Doses of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice Do Not Modify Cognitive Function and Cerebral Blood Flow in Overweight and Obese Older Adults: A 13-Week Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 2;14(5):1052. doi: 10.3390/nu14051052.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 35268027 (View on PubMed)

Siervo M, Arnold R, Wells JC, Tagliabue A, Colantuoni A, Albanese E, Brayne C, Stephan BC. Intentional weight loss in overweight and obese individuals and cognitive function: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2011 Nov;12(11):968-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00903.x. Epub 2011 Jul 18.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 21762426 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

323-0723

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id