Prebiotic intervention with HAMSAB in untreated essential hypertensive patients assessed in a phase II randomized trial

Hamdi A. Jama, Dakota Rhys-Jones, Michael Nakai, Chu K. Yao, Rachel E. Climie, Yusuke Sata, Dovile Anderson, Darren J. Creek, Geoffrey A. Head, David M. Kaye, Charles R. Mackay, Jane Muir, Francine Z. Marques

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fibers remain undigested until they reach the colon, where some are fermented by gut microbiota, producing metabolites called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate and butyrate 1. SCFAs lower blood pressure in experimental models 2–5, but their translational potential is unknown. Here we present the results of a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over trial (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000916145) using prebiotic acetylated and butyrylated high-amylose maize starch (HAMSAB) supplementation 6. Twenty treatment-naive participants with hypertension were randomized to 40 g per day of HAMSAB or placebo, completing each arm for 3 weeks, with a 3-week washout period between them. The primary endpoint was a reduction in ambulatory systolic blood pressure. Secondary endpoints included changes to circulating cytokines, immune markers and gut microbiome modulation. Patients receiving the HAMSAB treatment showed a clinically relevant reduction in 24-hour systolic blood pressure independent of age, sex and body mass index without any adverse effects. HAMSAB increased levels of acetate and butyrate, shifted the microbial ecosystem and expanded the prevalence of SCFA producers. In summary, a prebiotic intervention with HAMSAB could represent a promising option to deliver SCFAs and lower blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-43
Number of pages9
JournalNature Cardiovascular Research
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jan 2023

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