Iron Absorption and Losses in Young South African Women Living Without and With Overweight and Obesity

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

70 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-24

Study Completion Date

2027-06-30

Brief Summary

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Young women living with obesity (OB) have a greater risk of developing iron deficiency. Plus, the risk of anemia and/or ID in young women living with overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) is further increased by inadequate dietary intake and/or poor bioavailability of iron, as well as gastrointestinal and menstrual iron losses. It is not certain whether women living with OW/OB can meet their iron requirements from their day-to-day diet.

The aim of this study is to compare iron absorption and losses over a long period between women living with and without OW and OB. Secondary outcomes include iron and inflammation status, as well as dietary iron intake.

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Detailed Description

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Adiposity-related inflammation stimulates an increase in secretion of hepcidin hormone thus limiting the absorption of iron and increasing the risk for iron deficiency (ID). In addition, the risk of anemia and/or ID in young women living with overweight (OW) or obesity (OB) is further increased by inadequate dietary intake and/or poor bioavailability of iron, as well as gastrointestinal and menstrual iron losses. Although one study quantified iron losses and absorption in young African women using the stable isotope dilution method the focus was on normal-weight women. Thus, whether women living with OW/OB can meet their iron requirements from their habitual diet remains uncertain.

This is a longitudinal study including an iron absorption study (Phase 1) and a follow-up period (Phase 2) in women living with and without OW and OB.

In phase 1, 70 healthy, mildly- and non-anemic young women living with and without OW or OB will receive a test drink labelled with 15 mg of labelled ferrous sulfate (57Fe) (Visit 1). Fractional iron absorption from the test drink will be determined by measuring the incorporation of the isotopic label into red blood cells 14 days after administration (Visit 2), and will be compared between the two groups. Participants will then undergo a one-year equilibration period. During this time, they will be contacted monthly to ask about their health status, medication and supplements use, blood donation or transfusion, and whether they have fallen pregnant. About 1 year after isotope administration, participants will be contacted again and screened (Visit 3) for phase 2 of the study. Phase 2 of the study will involve 4 visits (Visits 4 to 7), where they will be followed up for 6 months. During this time, blood samples will be drawn every 8 weeks for the determination of isotopic composition. In addition, iron and inflammation status, as well as dietary intake of iron, including its absorption enhancers and inhibitors, will be assessed.

Conditions

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Obesity Iron Deficiency Inflammation

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Living without overweight/obesity

Participants with body mass index between 18 and 24.9 kg/m2

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ferrous sulfate

Intervention Type OTHER

All participants will receive a single dose of 15 mg of iron as isotopically prepared ferrous sulfate labelled with 57Fe. The iron dose will be given with ascorbic acid to attain a molar ratio of ascorbic acid:iron of 2:1

Living with overweight/obesity

Participants with body mass index equal to or greater than 28 kg/m2

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Ferrous sulfate

Intervention Type OTHER

All participants will receive a single dose of 15 mg of iron as isotopically prepared ferrous sulfate labelled with 57Fe. The iron dose will be given with ascorbic acid to attain a molar ratio of ascorbic acid:iron of 2:1

Interventions

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Ferrous sulfate

All participants will receive a single dose of 15 mg of iron as isotopically prepared ferrous sulfate labelled with 57Fe. The iron dose will be given with ascorbic acid to attain a molar ratio of ascorbic acid:iron of 2:1

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Of African descent
* BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 for participants living without OW/OB and BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 for participants living with OW/OB
* Having low to moderate inflammation-adjusted iron stores (ferritin ≤50 µg/L)
* Absence of low-grade inflammation (CRP\<2 mg/l) for participants living without OW/OB and presence of low-grade inflammation CRP 2-20 mg/l) for participants living with OW/OB
* Planning to reside in the study area for at least 2 years

* Labelled with stable iron isotope (tracer) for a minimum of one year
* Willingness not to start or stop contraceptive use during the 6 months
* BMI ≥ 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 for participants living without OW/OB and BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 for participants living with OW/OB

Exclusion Criteria

* Hemoglobin \< 11 g/dl
* Treated or self-reported chronic or malabsorptive disorder
* Current use of chronic anti-inflammatory medication, like corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
* Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant in the next 2 years
* Lactation
* Fear of needles or experiencing vaso-vagal episodes when exposed to blood
* Difficulty drawing blood due to poor quality veins
* Blood donation in the past 4 months or plans to donate blood during the study
* On a weight-loss diet or program or planning to start the same during the study
* Smoking
* Unwillingness to stop taking iron and /or vitamin C-containing supplements during phase 1 of the study

\- Blood transfusion, intravenous iron infusion, blood donation or significant blood loss during the equilibration period

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes