The Impact of Pectin Supplementation on Systematic Inflammation Pathway, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolic Health in Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
Trial Parameters
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Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if daily supplementation with Low-methoxy (LM) pectin (polysaccharides extracted from citrus peels), which are commonly found in the UK diet (not pharmacological agents), can reduce systemic inflammation and improve gut microbiota composition in adults recently diagnosed with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). The main question it aims to answer is: -How does dietary Low-methoxy (LM) pectin supplementation affect systematic inflammation pathways such as those mediated by gut microbiota composition and what are the impacts on general metabolic indicators in individuals with MASLD? Researchers will compare a group taking 15g of LM-pectin with 10g of cocoa powder to a placebo group receiving 10g of placebo with 10g of cocoa powder to see if LM-pectin has measurable effects on inflammation and gut microbiota. Participants will: * Take a daily supplement for 6 weeks: either 15g of LM-pectin with 10g of cocoa powder (intervention), or 10g of placebo with 10g of cocoa powder (control) * Provide stool and fasting blood samples before and after the intervention * Undergo anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist/hip ratio, and blood pressure) * Complete a case report form (CRF) including demographics and health/medical history * Undergo a FibroScan™ to assess liver health * (Optional) Participate in MRI scans to evaluate gut permeability
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for the main study: * Patients with clinical diagnosis of MASLD (formerly termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)), having assessment suggesting that liver fat \> 5% (e.g. histological evidence or/ and Transient Elastography using Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP)- FibroScan™ in the past month and/or liver imaging (such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). * Participants willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Participants aged ≥18 years who have a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 39.9 kg/m2 and stable weight (weight gain or loss ≤ 3kg) for the past 3 months. * For diabetic participants: controlled blood glucose levels Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) \<7.0% (\<53 mmol/mol) \[1\]. * Able to undergo CAP-FibroScan™. Inclusion criteria for healthy participants who will have MRI scans: * Participants willing and able to give informed consent for participation i