Iron-deficiencyNCT03793959
How Does a Synbiotic Supplement Affect Iron Status During Iron Repletion in Iron Depleted Female Athletes?
A study testing Synbiotic Supplement in people with Iron-deficiency, run by Marywood University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Iron deficiency (ID) affects ~30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Iron-deficiency
- What is being tested?
- Synbiotic Supplement
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 28 Aug 2016to 8 Dec 2017
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Female, >18 y of age, athlete at Marywood University, passed NCAA-required medical screening (e.g. healthy enough to participate in sport).
Who cannot join
- Current, acute, chronic illness; severe asthma; pre-existing GI disorders known to affect iron status or aggravated by iron supplementation; not pregnant or breastfeeding; clinically-diagnosed with eating disorder; consuming iron supplement within 4 weeks of screening; hemolytic anemia, excessive alcohol consumption.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Iron deficiency (ID) affects ~30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. The main objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on the Fe status of ID female athletes during Fe repletion.
Read the detailed description
Iron deficiency (ID) affects ~30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. The main objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on the Fe status of ID female athletes during Fe repletion. At the beginning of a training season at a Division III University, the Fe status of 28 female athletes (cross-country, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey) was screened. Twenty eligible athletes (baseline Hgb:12.3±0.9g/dL; sFer:18.1±9.2µg/L) were then randomized to receive either a daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis) or placebo, along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks using a double-blind design. Fe status and body composition were assessed at baseline, mid-point and after the trial. Participants were instructed to keep daily logs of supplement intake, physical activity, GI and other symptoms.
- Conditions
- Iron-deficiency
- Being tested
- Synbiotic Supplement, Placebo
- Keywords
- female athletes, iron supplementation, prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic, serum ferritin
- Medical subject headings
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Synbiotic SupplementDietary supplement
Also called Regular Girl
PlaceboDietary supplement
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Synbiotic Supplement | Experimental | Daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis, identical to Placebo-- white powder), along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Synbiotic Supplement |
| Placebo Supplement | Placebo comparator | Daily placebo supplement (5g maltodextrin, identical to Experimental -- white powder), along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Iron status
Change in serum ferritin
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jan 2019
- Study start28 Aug 2016
- Primary completion8 Dec 2017
- Study completion8 Dec 2017
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Iron-deficiencyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Twenty eligible athletes (baseline Hgb:12.3±0.9g/dL; sFer:18.1±9.2µg/L) were then randomized to receive either a daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis) or placebo, along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks using a double-blind design.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marywood University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03793959
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 808959-2
- Status last verified
- Jan 2019
- First submitted
- 3 Jan 2019
- Last updated
- 4 Jan 2019
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
DellaValle DM, Haas JD. Iron supplementation improves energetic efficiency in iron-depleted female rowers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014 Jun;46(6):1204-15. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000208.
PubMed 24195864DellaValle DM. Iron supplementation for female athletes: effects on iron status and performance outcomes. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Jul-Aug;12(4):234-9. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829a6f6b.
PubMed 23851410Dellavalle DM, Haas JD. Iron status is associated with endurance performance and training in female rowers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Aug;44(8):1552-9. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182517ceb.
PubMed 22382172DellaValle DM, Haas JD. Impact of iron depletion without anemia on performance in trained endurance athletes at the beginning of a training season: a study of female collegiate rowers. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2011 Dec;21(6):501-6. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.21.6.501.
PubMed 22089308Laparra JM, Diez-Municio M, Herrero M, Moreno FJ. Structural differences of prebiotic oligosaccharides influence their capability to enhance iron absorption in deficient rats. Food Funct. 2014 Oct;5(10):2430-7. doi: 10.1039/c4fo00504j. Epub 2014 Aug 11.
PubMed 25109275
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jan 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- How Does a Synbiotic Supplement Affect Iron Status During Iron Repletion in Iron Depleted Female Athletes?
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03793959
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 808959-2
- Conditions
- Iron-deficiency
- Keywords
- female athletes, iron supplementation, prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic, serum ferritin
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Marywood UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Aug 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 8 Dec 2017 (actual)
- Study completion
- 8 Dec 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Jan 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Iron deficiency (ID) affects ~30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. The main objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on the Fe status of ID female athletes during Fe repletion.
Detailed description
Iron deficiency (ID) affects ~30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. The main objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on the Fe status of ID female athletes during Fe repletion. At the beginning of a training season at a Division III University, the Fe status of 28 female athletes (cross-country, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey) was screened. Twenty eligible athletes (baseline Hgb:12.3±0.9g/dL; sFer:18.1±9.2µg/L) were then randomized to receive either a daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis) or placebo, along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks using a double-blind design. Fe status and body composition were assessed at baseline, mid-point and after the trial. Participants were instructed to keep daily logs of supplement intake, physical activity, GI and other symptoms.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Twenty eligible athletes (baseline Hgb:12.3±0.9g/dL; sFer:18.1±9.2µg/L) were then randomized to receive either a daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis) or placebo, along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks using a double-blind design.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Synbiotic Supplement | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Synbiotic SupplementDaily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis, identical to Placebo-- white powder), along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks. |
| Placebo Supplement | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: PlaceboDaily placebo supplement (5g maltodextrin, identical to Experimental -- white powder), along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Female, >18 y of age, athlete at Marywood University, passed NCAA-required medical screening (e.g. healthy enough to participate in sport).
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Current, acute, chronic illness; severe asthma; pre-existing GI disorders known to affect iron status or aggravated by iron supplementation; not pregnant or breastfeeding; clinically-diagnosed with eating disorder; consuming iron supplement within 4 weeks of screening; hemolytic anemia, excessive alcohol consumption.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Synbiotic SupplementAlso: Regular Girl | Dietary supplement | Synbiotic Supplement |
| Placebo | Dietary supplement | Placebo Supplement |
Primary outcome
Iron status
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change in serum ferritin
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jan 2019.
- Background: PubMed 24195864DellaValle DM, Haas JD. Iron supplementation improves energetic efficiency in iron-depleted female rowers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014 Jun;46(6):1204-15. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000208.
- Background: PubMed 23851410DellaValle DM. Iron supplementation for female athletes: effects on iron status and performance outcomes. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Jul-Aug;12(4):234-9. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829a6f6b.
- Background: PubMed 22382172Dellavalle DM, Haas JD. Iron status is associated with endurance performance and training in female rowers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Aug;44(8):1552-9. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182517ceb.
- Background: PubMed 22089308DellaValle DM, Haas JD. Impact of iron depletion without anemia on performance in trained endurance athletes at the beginning of a training season: a study of female collegiate rowers. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2011 Dec;21(6):501-6. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.21.6.501.
- Background: PubMed 25109275Laparra JM, Diez-Municio M, Herrero M, Moreno FJ. Structural differences of prebiotic oligosaccharides influence their capability to enhance iron absorption in deficient rats. Food Funct. 2014 Oct;5(10):2430-7. doi: 10.1039/c4fo00504j. Epub 2014 Aug 11.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Synbiotic Supplement in people with Iron-deficiency, run by Marywood University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jan 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Iron status (time frame: 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03793959, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jan 2019; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.