Browsing by Author "Derraik JGB"

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    A nutritional supplement during preconception and pregnancy increases human milk vitamin D but not B-vitamin concentrations.
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-10-29) Han SM; Huang F; Derraik JGB; Vickers MH; Devaraj S; Redeuil K; Campos-Giménez E; Pang WW; Godfrey KM; Chan S-Y; Thakkar SK; Cutfield WS; NiPPeR Study Group
    BACKGROUND & AIMS: Optimal maternal vitamin status during pregnancy and lactation is essential to support maternal and infant health. For instance, vitamin D3 is involved in infant bone development, and B-vitamins are involved in various metabolic processes, including energy production. Through a double-blind randomised controlled trial, we investigated the effects of maternal supplementation from preconception throughout pregnancy until birth on human milk (HM) concentrations of vitamin D3 and B-vitamins. In addition, we aimed to characterise longitudinal changes in milk concentrations of these vitamins. METHODS: Both control and intervention supplements contained calcium, iodine, iron, β-carotene, and folic acid, while the intervention also contained zinc, vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D3, probiotics, and myo-inositol. HM samples were collected across 4 time points from 1 week to 3 months post-delivery from 158 mothers in Singapore, and 7 time points from 1 week to 12 months from 180 mothers in New Zealand. HM vitamin D was quantified using supercritical fluid chromatography and B-vitamins with mass spectrometry. Potential intervention effects on HM vitamins D3, B2, B6, and B9, as well as other B-vitamin (B1 and B3) concentrations were assessed using linear mixed models with a repeated measures design. RESULTS: Over the first 3 months of lactation, HM 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were 20% (95% CI 8%, 33%, P = 0.001) higher in the intervention group, with more marked effects in New Zealand. There were no observed intervention effects on HM concentrations of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9. In New Zealand mothers, longitudinally, vitamin D3 concentrations gradually increased from early lactation up to 12 months, while vitamins B1 and B2 peaked at 6 weeks, B3 at 3 weeks, and B6 and B9 at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal supplementation during preconception and pregnancy increased HM vitamin D, but not B-vitamin concentrations in lactation. Further studies are required to examine the discrete benefits of vitamin D supplementation starting preconception vs during pregnancy, and to further characterise the effects of supplementation on later offspring health outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on the 16 July 2015 (identifier NCT02509988); Universal Trial Number U1111-1171-8056. This study was academic-led by the EpiGen Global Research Consortium.
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    Differences in Compositions of Gut Bacterial Populations and Bacteriophages in 5-11 Year-Olds Born Preterm Compared to Full Term
    (Frontiers Media S.A., 2020-06-16) Jayasinghe TN; Vatanen T; Chiavaroli V; Jayan S; McKenzie EJ; Adriaenssens E; Derraik JGB; Ekblad C; Schierding W; Battin MR; Thorstensen EB; Cameron-Smith D; Forbes-Blom E; Hofman PL; Roy NC; Tannock GW; Vickers MH; Cutfield WS; O'Sullivan JM; Shkoporov A
    Preterm infants are exposed to major perinatal, post-natal, and early infancy events that could impact on the gut microbiome. These events include infection, steroid and antibiotic exposure, parenteral nutrition, necrotizing enterocolitis, and stress. Studies have shown that there are differences in the gut microbiome during the early months of life in preterm infants. We hypothesized that differences in the gut microbial composition and metabolites in children born very preterm persist into mid-childhood. Participants were healthy prepubertal children aged 5-11 years who were born very preterm (≤32 weeks of gestation; n = 51) or at term (37-41 weeks; n = 50). We recorded the gestational age, birth weight, mode of feeding, mode of birth, age, sex, and the current height and weight of our cohort. We performed a multi'omics [i.e., 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, SPME-GCMS (solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)] analysis to investigate the structure and function of the fecal microbiome (as a proxy of the gut microbiota) in our cross-sectional cohort. Children born very preterm were younger (7.8 vs. 8.3 years; p = 0.034), shorter [height-standard deviation score (SDS) 0.31 vs. 0.92; p = 0.0006) and leaner [BMI (body mass index) SDS -0.20 vs. 0.29; p < 0.0001] than the term group. Children born very preterm had higher fecal calprotectin levels, decreased fecal phage richness, lower plasma arginine, lower fecal branched-chain amino acids and higher fecal volatile (i.e., 3-methyl-butanoic acid, butyrolactone, butanoic acid and pentanoic acid) profiles. The bacterial microbiomes did not differ between preterm and term groups. We speculate that the observed very preterm-specific changes were established in early infancy and may impact on the capacity of the very preterm children to respond to environmental changes.
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    Double-blind RCT of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation to improve the metabolic health in children of mothers with overweight or obesity during pregnancy: study protocol
    (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2020-12-15) Satokar VV; Cutfield WS; Derraik JGB; Harwood M; Okasene-Gafa K; Beck K; Cameron-Smith D; O'Sullivan JM; Sundborn G; Pundir S; Mason RP; Albert BB
    Introduction Maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with adverse changes in body composition and metabolism in the offspring. We hypothesise that supplementation during pregnancy of overweight and obese women may help prevent the development of greater adiposity and metabolic dysfunction in children. Previous clinical trials investigating fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on metabolic outcomes and body composition of the children have not focused on the pregnancies of overweight or obese women. Methods and analysis A double-blind randomised controlled trial of fish oil (providing 3 g/day of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) versus an equal volume of olive oil (control) taken daily from recruitment until birth, and in breastfeeding mothers, further continued for 3 months post partum. Eligible women will have a singleton pregnancy at 12–20 weeks’ gestation and be aged 18–40 years with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 at baseline. We aim to recruit a minimum of 128 participants to be randomised 1:1. Clinical assessments will be performed at baseline and 30 weeks of pregnancy, including anthropometric measurements, fasting metabolic markers, measures of anxiety, physical activity, quality of life and dietary intake. Subsequent assessments will be performed when the infant is 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months of age for anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)) and blood sampling. The primary outcome of the study is a between-group difference in infant percentage body fatness, assessed by DXA, at 2 weeks of age. Secondary outcomes will include differences in anthropometric measures at each time point, percentage body fat at 3 and 12 months and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance at 3 months. Statistical analysis will be carried out on the principle of intention to treat. Ethics and dissemination This trial was approved by the Northern A Health and Disabilities Ethics Committee, New Zealand Ministry of Health (17/NTA/154). Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number ACTRN12617001078347p; Pre-results.
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    Participants' and caregivers' experiences of a multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change in Aotearoa/New Zealand: a qualitative, focus group study.
    (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2021-05-11) Anderson YC; Wild CEK; Hofman PL; Cave TL; Taiapa KJ; Domett T; Derraik JGB; Cutfield WS; Grant CC; Willing EJ
    Objective Child and adolescent obesity continues to be a major health issue internationally. This study aims to understand the views and experiences of caregivers and participants in a child and adolescent multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change. Design Qualitative focus group study. Setting Community-based healthy lifestyle intervention programme in a mixed urban–rural region of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Participants Parents/caregivers (n=6) and children/adolescents (n=8) who participated in at least 6 months of an assessment and weekly session, family-based community intervention programme for children and adolescents affected by obesity. Results Findings covered participant experiences, healthy lifestyle changes due to participating in the programme, the delivery team, barriers to engagement and improvements. Across these domains, four key themes emerged from the focus groups for participants and their caregivers relating to their experience: knowledge-sharing, enabling a family to become self-determining in their process to achieve healthy lifestyle change; the importance of connectedness and a family-based programme; the sense of a collective journey and the importance of a nonjudgemental, respectful welcoming environment. Logistical challenges and recommendations for improvement were also identified. Conclusions Policymakers need to consider the experiences of participants alongside quantitative outcomes when informing multidisciplinary intervention programmes for children and adolescents affected by obesity. Trial registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR):12611000862943; Post-results.
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    Protocol for the Gut Bugs in Autism Trial: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of faecal microbiome transfer for the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic adolescents and adults.
    (BMJ Publishing Group, 2024-02-06) Tweedie-Cullen RY; Leong K; Wilson BC; Derraik JGB; Albert BB; Monk R; Vatanen T; Creagh C; Depczynski M; Edwards T; Beck K; Thabrew H; O'Sullivan JM; Cutfield WS
    INTRODUCTION: Autism (formally autism spectrum disorder) encompasses a group of complex neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by differences in communication and social interactions. Co-occurring chronic gastrointestinal symptoms are common among autistic individuals and can adversely affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of oral encapsulated faecal microbiome transfer (FMT) in improving gastrointestinal symptoms and well-being among autistic adolescents and adults. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial will recruit 100 autistic adolescents and adults aged 16-45 years, who have mild to severe gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) score ≥2.0). We will also recruit eight healthy donors aged 18-32 years, who will undergo extensive clinical screening. Recipients will be randomised 1:1 to receive FMT or placebo, stratified by biological sex. Capsules will be administered over two consecutive days following an overnight bowel cleanse with follow-up assessments at 6, 12 and 26 weeks post-treatment. The primary outcome is GSRS score at 6 weeks. Other assessments include anthropometry, body composition, hair cortisol concentration, gut microbiome profile, urine/plasma gut-derived metabolites, plasma markers of gut inflammation/permeability and questionnaires on general well-being, sleep quality, physical activity, food diversity and treatment tolerability. Adverse events will be recorded and reviewed by an independent data monitoring committee. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval for the study was granted by the Central Health and Disability Ethics Committee on 24 August 2021 (reference number: 21/CEN/211). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented to both scientific and consumer group audiences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12622000015741.
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    Strain engraftment competition and functional augmentation in a multi-donor fecal microbiota transplantation trial for obesity
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2021-12) Wilson BC; Vatanen T; Jayasinghe TN; Leong KSW; Derraik JGB; Albert BB; Chiavaroli V; Svirskis DM; Beck KL; Conlon CA; Jiang Y; Schierding W; Holland DJ; Cutfield WS; O'Sullivan JM
    Background Donor selection is an important factor influencing the engraftment and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for complex conditions associated with microbial dysbiosis. However, the degree, variation, and stability of strain engraftment have not yet been assessed in the context of multiple donors. Methods We conducted a double-blinded randomized control trial of FMT in 87 adolescents with obesity. Participants were randomized to receive multi-donor FMT (capsules containing the fecal microbiota of four sex-matched lean donors) or placebo (saline capsules). Following a bowel cleanse, participants ingested a total of 28 capsules over two consecutive days. Capsules from individual donors and participant stool samples collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 26 weeks post-treatment were analyzed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing allowing us to track bacterial strain engraftment and its functional implications on recipients’ gut microbiomes. Results Multi-donor FMT sustainably altered the structure and the function of the gut microbiome. In what was effectively a microbiome competition experiment, we discovered that two donor microbiomes (one female, one male) dominated strain engraftment and were characterized by high microbial diversity and a high Prevotella to Bacteroides (P/B) ratio. Engrafted strains led to enterotype-level shifts in community composition and provided genes that altered the metabolic potential of the community. Despite our attempts to standardize FMT dose and origin, FMT recipients varied widely in their engraftment of donor strains. Conclusion Our study provides evidence for the existence of FMT super-donors whose microbiomes are highly effective at engrafting in the recipient gut. Dominant engrafting male and female donor microbiomes harbored diverse microbial species and genes and were characterized by a high P/B ratio. Yet, the high variability of strain engraftment among FMT recipients suggests the host environment also plays a critical role in mediating FMT receptivity. Trial registration The Gut Bugs trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615001351505). Trial protocol The trial protocol is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/4/e026174.