Study on the Weight Loss Effects and Mechanisms of Probiotic Preparation Intervention in Weight Cyclers

Official title

Study on the Weight Loss Effects and Mechanisms of Probiotic Preparation Intervention in Weight Cyclers: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Overview

1. Study Background and Purpose Obesity is a complex chronic disease closely linked to comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. With lifestyle changes, obesity prevalence continues to rise. Current treatments focus on weight loss through dietary control and exercise, but weight regain is common due to metabolic adaptations (e.g., post-caloric restriction). Gut microbiota play a critical role in weight management, and probiotics may reduce weight regain by modulating appetite and metabolism. Studies suggest probiotics enhance satiety and reduce appetite. This study aims to evaluate the potential of probiotics in obesity management, specifically their impact on gut microbiota modulation and hormonal regulation to mitigate weight regain. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Ethics Committee. 2. Study Design This 198-participant, randomized, interventional trial will assign subjects to three groups (1:1:1 ratio): Placebo group (maltodextrin-based placebo) Probiotic Group 1 Probiotic Group 2 Randomization will be conducted via sealed envelopes (no researcher/participant bias). All groups receive standardized nutritional counseling, caloric restriction plans, and body composition assessments. Probiotics (produced by Shenzhen BaoShiJian Biotechnology Co., Ltd., compliant with standard Q/BSJ 0023S-2024) will be administered orally (2 bottles twice daily) for 84 days . 3. Study Procedure Informed Consent : Required before participation. Screening Phase : Demographic history, medical records, concomitant medications, validated questionnaires, body composition analysis, and blood/urine/stool tests. Intervention : Daily probiotic or placebo intake for 84 days. Follow-ups : Visits at Day 42 and Day 85 for adherence checks, anthropometric measurements, and repeat testing. 4. Study Completion Duration : 84 days. Post-Study : Placebo group receives 1-month free probiotic supply; others return to standard care. A 30-day post-study follow-up (phone/WeChat) will assess safety. Withdrawal : Participants may exit anytime. Investigators may withdraw participants for safety reasons. 5. Potential Benefits Personalized nutrition counseling and body composition reports. Free clinical evaluations and health coaching. Contribution to novel weight management strategies for weight-cycling populations. 6. Risks and Discomforts Adverse Events : Gastrointestinal symptoms or discomfort. Immediate reporting required for medical management. Inconveniences : 3 on-site visits (blood/urine/stool tests, anthropometry) with fasting blood draws (\~7-20 mL/session). 1 telehealth visit (25 min questionnaire). Daily diary cards. Compensation : 150 RMB travel reimbursement + study-provided scales. 7. Alternative Options Participants may opt for: Intermittent fasting. Pharmacotherapy (e.g., GLP-1 agonists). Standard dietary recommendations. 8. New Information Any significant findings during the trial will be communicated to participants, who may choose to continue or withdraw. 9\. Costs and Reimbursement No-cost : All investigational products (probiotics/placebo), lab tests, and body composition analyses. Reimbursement : 150 RMB travel compensation + study tools (body fat scale, food scale, tape measure). 10\. Adverse Event Policy All injuries attributed to the intervention will be covered by Shenzhen BaoShiJian Biotechnology Co., Ltd. 's insurance. Legal liability extends beyond insurance coverage.

Interventions

• Dietary supplement WONDERLAB SHAPE100™ Ready-to-Eat Probiotic Food (S100).
  Product : WONDERLAB SHAPE100™ Ready-to-Eat Probiotic Food (S100). Ingredients : Stachyose, fructooligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, maltodextrin, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CECT7527, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CECT7528, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CECT7529, Lactobacillus acidophilus GOLDGUT-LA100, and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Administration : Twice daily (2 bottles per dose) after meals for 12 weeks.
• Dietary supplement WONDERLAB SHAPE100™ Ready-to-Eat Probiotic Food (S100) + WONDERLAB Weight Management Probiotic Food.
  Product : WONDERLAB SHAPE100™ Ready-to-Eat Probiotic Food (S100) + WONDERLAB Weight Management Probiotic Food. Ingredients : S100 Components : As above. Weight Management Components : Isomaltooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, maltodextrin, Lactobacillus fermentum K7-Lb1, Lactobacillus fermentum K8-Lb1, Lactobacillus fermentum K11-Lb3, Euglena gracilis, and phosphatidylserine. Administration : Twice daily (2 bottles per dose) after meals for 12 weeks.
• Dietary supplement Placebo
  Daily oral administration of maltodextrin-based placebo (identical in taste, appearance, and packaging to probiotic products) twice daily (2 bottles per dose) for 12 weeks.

Primary outcome measures

• Percentage of Participants with >5% Body Weight Loss [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]

Secondary outcome measures (10)

• Change in Power of Food Scale (PFS) Score [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Fasting Insulin Concentration [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Body Weight [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Triglyceride Concentration [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Gut Microbial α-Diversity (Shannon Index) [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Number of Participants with Treatment-Related Adverse Events (AEs) [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) Score [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Fasting Ghrelin Concentration [Time frame: D0 to D85 ±7 days]
• Change in LDL-Cholesterol Concentration [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]
• Change in Gastrointestinal Symptom Score [Time frame: From baseline (D0) to end of intervention (D85 ±7 days)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Obesity : BMI ≥28 kg/m² and <35 kg/m².
• Weight Cycling History :

Documented weight loss attempts within the past 2 years (≥3 episodes) with ≥5% body weight fluctuation.

• Age : 18-60 years (inclusive), male or female.
• Comprehension and Voluntariness : Ability to understand the weight loss protocol and willingness to complete the full study.
• Informed Consent : Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Weight-Loss Medications : Current use of medications affecting weight (e.g., orlistat, GLP-1 receptor agonists, metformin).
• Diabetes Mellitus : Diagnosed diabetes or use of antidiabetic medications.
• Severe Metabolic Abnormalities :

Triglycerides >2.5× upper limit of normal (ULN) Cholesterol >2.5× ULN (method-dependent) Fasting whole-blood glucose >11.1 mmol/L Uric acid >2× ULN

• Pregnancy/Lactation : Currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy within 3 months.
• Severe Organ Dysfunction : Advanced cardiovascular, hepatic, pulmonary, renal, or other critical organic diseases.
• Thyroid Disorders : Diagnosed hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
• Gastrointestinal Diseases : History of acute/chronic or active gastrointestinal disorders.
• Antibiotic Use : Oral/intravenous antibiotics within the past month.
• Psychiatric Disorders : Severe mental illness requiring routine psychiatric medication.
• Secondary Obesity : Hypothalamic obesity, Cushing's syndrome, hypogonadism-related obesity, etc.
• Specific Diets : Long-term vegan or restrictive dietary patterns.
• Weight Instability : ≥10% body weight change within the past 3 months.
• Compliance Concerns : Poor compliance or inability to adhere to the weight loss protocol (as judged by the investigator).

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Quadruple blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

China · 1 center

• Peking Union Medical College Hospital — Beijing

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07031596 · K7816

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗