RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Boosting Microbiota Butyrate Producers to Improve Gut Health

This study is about understanding how tiny living things in your gut, called microbiota, create an important chemical called butyrate. Butyrate is really good for your gut health, helping your digestive system, reducing swelling, and keeping things balanced. When there isn't enough butyrate, it can cause problems with your tummy, metabolism, and even your brain. A diet rich in fibre helps these good bacteria grow. This research aims to find and develop special beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that can make more butyrate. The goal is to use these new findings to create better probiotic products that can improve your gut health and overall well-being. We're looking for adults aged 20 to 80 to take part.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement

Enrolment target

Start

24 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2028

Adults 20 to 80 Years

What is this study about?

Your gut is home to billions of tiny living things, called microbiota, which are super important for your health. Think of them as a busy community working together! They help you digest food, fight off bad bugs, and even affect your mood and overall well-being. What you eat, how old you are, and your lifestyle can all change this community.

One really important job these gut bugs do is to make special chemicals called short-chain fatty acids. The most famous one is called butyrate. Butyrate is like a power-up for your gut lining – it helps keep it strong, reduces swelling, and keeps your whole digestive system healthy. If there isn't enough butyrate, it can lead to tummy troubles, problems with your body's energy use (metabolism), and even affect your brain.

This study wants to find new kinds of helpful bacteria (probiotics) that are really good at making butyrate. We believe that by boosting the amount of butyrate in your gut, we can improve your gut health and keep you feeling well. We're researching how these special bacteria work and how they interact with the rest of your gut community so we can develop better ways to support your gut health in the future.

Key takeaways

Your gut health is super important for your overall well-being.
Special gut bacteria make a helpful chemical called butyrate.
Butyrate strengthens your gut, reduces inflammation, and helps digestion.
This study aims to find new helpful bacteria to boost butyrate production.
The goal is to develop better 'gut-friendly' products in the future.
Participants must be healthy adults aged 20-80 years, meeting specific criteria.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy adults between 20 and 80 years old. Your body mass index (BMI) needs to be within a certain range (not too thin and not too heavy). We are specifically interested in people who are generally healthy and not currently facing any serious legal restrictions.

If you're aged between 20 and 60, we have a couple more requirements: you should either exercise at least twice a week or follow a flexitarian diet (meaning you mostly eat plant-based foods but sometimes eat meat). Also, people in this age group shouldn't have any long-term health problems or be taking ongoing medication.

You cannot take part if you've been on antibiotics in the last three months, or if you've taken probiotics or other similar gut-support supplements in the last 15 days. If you're part of the research team or work for the main researcher, you also won't be able to join. We are looking for people who meet these specific guidelines to ensure the study results are as clear and helpful as possible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 20 and 80 years old?
Do you consider yourself generally in good health?
Have you avoided antibiotics in the last 3 months?
Have you not taken probiotics or similar supplements in the last 15 days?
If aged 20-60, do you exercise at least twice a week OR eat a flexitarian diet?
If aged 20-60, do you have no long-term health problems and aren't on ongoing medication?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The information provided does not detail what taking part in this specific study would involve in terms of visits, assessments, or procedures. This study is focused on identifying beneficial bacteria in a lab setting rather than directly testing interventions on human participants at this stage. It mentions that sampling conditions will follow rules for human research, which suggests that if human samples are involved, they will be collected ethically and according to regulations. However, it does not specify what those sampling activities would be (e.g., stool samples, blood tests). There is no mention of medication, follow-up, or total duration for participants. It's important to ask the research team for a detailed explanation of what is expected if you are considering participating.

Potential risks and benefits

This study is about understanding how certain gut bacteria work, rather than directly testing new treatments on people at this stage. Therefore, direct risks to participants are not specifically outlined in the provided information, but any involvement requiring human samples would be conducted under strict ethical guidelines. Potential benefits from this research are indirect for participants, contributing to a better scientific understanding of gut health, which may lead to improved probiotic products in the future. You always have the right to withdraw from any study at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect any current or future medical care.

Locations (1)

INRAE
Verified postcode
Jouy-en-Josas, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'gut microbiota'?

It's the community of trillions of tiny living things, like bacteria, that live in your digestive system and help keep you healthy.

What is butyrate and why is it important?

Butyrate is a special chemical made by your gut bacteria. It's really good for your gut lining, helps reduce inflammation, and keeps your digestion healthy.

What are 'probiotics'?

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. They are often found in yogurts or supplements.

Who can take part in this study?

Healthy adults aged 20 to 80 years old are being considered. There are specific requirements about your health, lifestyle, and what medications or supplements you've taken recently.

Will I have to take any new medication?

The information provided doesn't say participants will take new medication. This study focuses on understanding bacteria in a lab, but any direct participant involvement would be clearly explained.

How to find out more

REBECA MARTIN ROSIQUE, PhD

rebeca.martin-rosique@inrae.fr 00 33 1 34 65 20 98 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.