3.0 Design This is an exploratory four-arm, parallel design, randomized placebo-controlled intervention study in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome to evaluate whether FMT from lean donors combined with supplementation with prebiotic fiber will have a clinically significant effect on metabolic parameters. The study includes a 2-week screening/baseline period followed by a single FMT and a 6 week study period in which prebiotic fiber or placebo will be added in powdered form to the subject's normal diet for the duration of the trial (Appendix 1). A follow-up visit at 12 weeks will be done to determine if beneficial effects are maintained in the absence of ongoing fiber intake. A parallel arm design was chosen to avoid cross-over effects.
The four groups are:
1. Control (Placebo FMT and cellulose)
2. FMT only (FMT followed by cellulose)
3. Prebiotic only (Placebo FMT and prebiotic fiber)
4. FMT + prebiotic fiber Schedule and Procedures: Subjects will attend a total of 5 clinic appointments throughout the study for anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, dietary intake, hunger and satiety, and quality of life assessment using questionnaires, and for collection of blood and fecal samples (Appendix 2). The intervention will be stopped at 6 weeks. A final follow-up visit will occur at 12 weeks for anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and collection of blood and stool samples.
3.1 Randomization Subjects will be randomized to one of 4 groups via computer-generated numbers and stratified by gender. Individuals will be blinded as to their group allocation to reduce bias. Randomization concealment will be protected by several levels of security, including our secure website, password protection by only those authorized to randomize and a variable blocked randomization.
3.2 Maintenance
Randomized codes will be maintained in REDCAP. Codes will be broken at the end of the trial.
3.3 Trial Treatment
Fecal microbiome transplant (FMT): 50grams of FMT from a single, universal donor will be administered in 20-30 capsules taken by mouth. These capsules will be frozen at -700C until date of administration on day 1 of the trial. The FMT will be given after individuals have fasted overnight and completes a bowel preparation using Pico-Salax®, a routine colonoscopy preparation. The study will use only one donor to reduce variability in donor profiles unless this donor becomes unavailable at which point backup donors will be available. Placebo FMT will consist of cellulose pills.
Fiber Supplementation:
Soluble corn fiber (PROMITOR®: Tate\&Lyle)
* Women: 4.5 gm of PROMITOR by mouth days 1-3 increased to 9 gm daily from day 4 until trial completion.
* Men: 5.5 gm of PROMITOR by mouth days 1-3 increased to 11 gm by mouth daily from day 4 until trial completion.
Resistant Wheat Starch 4 (Fibersym®: MGP Ingredients):
* Women: 4.5 gm of powdered RS4 by mouth days 1-3 increased to 9 gm by mouth daily from day 4 until trial completion.
* Men: 5.5gm of powdered RS4 by mouth days 1-3 increased to 11 gm by mouth daily from day 4 until trial completion.
Acacia Gum (Pre-Hydrated Gum Arabic: TIC GUMS):
* Women: 4.5 gm of powdered acacia gum by mouth days 1-3 increased to 9 gm by mouth daily from day 4 until trial completion.
* Men: 5.5gm of powdered acacia gum by mouth days 1-3 increased to 11 gm by mouth daily from day 4 until trial completion.
The product will be supplied to patients on a weekly basis in pre-weighed foil packets.
Placebo: Placebo will consist of cellulose powder (Microcrystalline cellulose:Blanver) in identical foil packets.
3.4 Duration
The study duration is 12 weeks. Subjects will be seen in the clinic at recruitment, and then at 2 and 6 weeks following FMT. Intervention will be from 1-6 weeks. A final follow-up visit will occur at 12 weeks (Appendix 1)
