Do you have COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis? Researchers are looking for volunteers to participate in a study testing if dietary fibre supplements can reduce inflammation and improve health in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Why is the research being done?
We know that changing the bugs (bacteria) in the gut can improve lung health, and that dietary fibre is the best way to increase the healthy bugs in your gut.
Dietary fibre comes from plant-based foods (oats, beans, fruits, vegetables, grains). When you eat fibre, it gets broken down in your gut by the healthy microbes that live there. This keeps your healthy gut microbes happy and fed, but they also make small compounds which can travel into the bloodstream and throughout the body. These compounds and microbes in your gut, link your gut to your lungs and they can reduce inflammation which is a key driver of illness in (COPD).
Our research has previously found that soluble fibre supplements reduce both inflammation in the lungs, and symptoms in people with asthma This means that dietary fibre supplements might have anti-inflammatory effects and improve health and well-being in COPD.
The ANTIC study will test whether taking different fibre supplements can increase healthy microbes in the gut, reduce inflammation and improve health in people with COPD. Researchers will do this by measuring the levels of bacteria and their products in stool samples, measuring markers of inflammation from blood samples, and asking participants some questions about their disease symptoms.
Who can participate in the research?
Researchers are looking for men and women with COPD, aged 40 years and over.
This study may not be for you if you have significant digestive issues.
What will study participants be asked to do?
First, researchers will ask you questions over the phone to make sure it is suitable for you.
Then, if you take part in the study, we will ask you to come to the HMRI clinic every four weeks (six times) for study visits (2 hours each).
You will be in the study for 20 weeks, and you will be asked to take fibre supplements for 8 weeks during the study.
Study tests at each clinic visit:
- Blood sample
- Stool sample
- Oral (mouth) swab
- Urine samples
- Breathing test to measure your lung function
- COPD symptom questionnaires
If you take part in the ANTIC Study, we will ask you if you would like to take part in a companion study that we are running at the Hunter Medical Research Institute/University of Newcastle, called the DEFEND Study.
If you agree to take part in the DEFEND Study, we will ask you to do a few extra tests when you come into HMRI for your ANTIC study visits. You will be asked to donate sputum (phlegm) samples as well as the study tests listed above. For more information, please download the DEFEND Study Information Statement below, or talk to member of the research team, who will answer any questions you might have.
We will reimburse you with a $20 gift voucher at each visit in the DEFEND Study.
How to participate in the study
To find out more about this study and whether it is right for you please download our Participant Information Statements.
If you would have any questions, you can get in touch with the research team:
Dr Bronwyn Berthon
P: (02) 4042 0116
E: [email protected]
