A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate the efficacy of a freshwater marine collagen on skin wrinkles and elasticity.

BACKGROUND: Collagen is the primary component in human skin. With age, there is loss of skin elasticity and collagen, resulting in wrinkle formation and reduction in skin appearance. AIMS: The objective of this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a hydrolyzed marine collagen (Vinh Wellness Collagen, VWC) on aspects of skin health and quality in women between 45 and 60 years of age. PATIENTS/METHODS: Assessments of skin wrinkles, elasticity, and self-reported appearance were conducted using the VISIA skin analysis system, Cutometer® , and Skin Quality Visual Analogue Scale. Outcomes were assessed at weeks 0 (baseline), 6, and 12. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, participants supplemented with VWC had a significant 35% reduction in wrinkle score (P = .035) from baseline. Participants in the VWC group showed a 24% greater reduction in wrinkles on the right side of the face than those on placebo. A planned subgroup analysis based on age showed women 45-54 years had a significant 20% and 10% improvement in cheek skin elasticity from baseline to week 6 (P = .016) and 12 (P = .022), respectively. At week 12, participants in the VWC group reported greater percentage improvements in overall skin score (9%) and wrinkle (15%), elasticity (23%), hydration (14%), radiance (22%), and firmness (25%) scores vs placebo. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with VWC was found to be safe and well-tolerated. The results of this study support the use of fish-derived hydrolyzed collagen for the improvement of skin health in an aging population.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicentre Trial of the Effects of a Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate on Blood Pressure.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, parallel, 8-week study, the efficacy of a daily dose of 1200 mg of protein hydrolysate from Coldwater Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) on ambulatory and office blood pressure was investigated in 144 free-living adults with mild to moderate hypertension. The primary outcomes of the study were daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure and office blood pressure. During the 8-week intervention period and in the intention-to-treat analysis (n=144), there were significant reductions in the group consuming the shrimp-derived protein hydrolysate relative to the placebo group in daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 4 weeks (p=0.014) and at 8 weeks (p=0.002), and in office systolic blood pressure at 2 weeks (p=0.031) and 4 weeks (p=0.010), with a trend toward significance at 8 weeks (p=0.087). By 8 weeks, significant and favourable improvements in the group consuming the shrimp-derived protein hydrolysate relative to the placebo group were also observed for several secondary outcomes, including 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure, daytime ambulatory diastolic blood pressure, and daytime and 24-hour ambulatory mean arterial pressure. Also by Week 8, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in the distribution of subjects across National Institutes of Health-defined blood pressure categories (i.e., Normotensive, Prehypertensive, Stage 1 hypertension, and Stage 2 hypertension), with a more favourable distribution in the shrimp-derived protein hydrolysate group than in the placebo group (p=0.006). Based on exploratory analyses conducted only in participants in the shrimp-derived protein hydrolysate group, angiotensin II levels were significantly reduced relative to baseline. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01974570.

Efficacy of Polydextrose Supplementation on Colonic Transit Time, Bowel Movements, and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The addition of fiber is one of the most important dietary means to relieve constipation through lifestyle modification. Polydextrose (PDX) has been reported in several studies to increase fecal bulk, soften stools, and increase the number of defecations. However, there are few studies on the effect of PDX on colonic transit time (CTT). Therefore, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of PDX on CTT and other aspects of gastrointestinal function during two weeks (Day 1 to Day 14), preceded by a 2-week run-in period (Day -14 to Day -1). A total of 192 adults who were diagnosed with functional constipation per Rome III criteria were recruited for the study. Participants were randomized equally into 4 groups (12 g, 8 g, or 4 g of PDX or placebo per day). The primary endpoint was CTT, assessed using radio-opaque markers and abdominal X-rays on Day 0, the baseline; and Day 15, the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes that were measured using inventories were the patient assessment of constipation symptoms and quality of life, bowel function index, relief of constipation, bowel movement frequency (BMF), stool consistency, degree of straining, and proportion of bowel movements. Ancillary parameters and harms were also evaluated. The recruited population was not sufficiently constipated (e.g., baseline values for CTT and BMF of 42 h and 8.7 BMF/week, respectively). Despite this limitation, our results demonstrated an increased number of bowel movements when supplemented with PDX at a dosage of 12 g per day for 2 weeks. This dosage also consistently improved the secondary outcomes that were measured using inventories at Day 15, compared with the baseline. No serious or significant adverse events were reported during the study.