Nicolina Virgilio’s research while affiliated with Rousselot and other places

In response to nutrients, intestinal L‐ and K‐cells naturally secrete glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1). GLP‐1 regulates postprandial blood glucose by increasing insulin secretion, slowing down gastric emptying and inducing satiety. A selection of specifically developed collagen hydrolysates was screened for their ability to enhance natural GLP‐1 production in vitro. The best performing hydrolysate, H80 (Nextida GC), was orally administered at different doses to lean, normoglycemic mice and overweight, prediabetic mice. Lean mice were acutely challenged 45 min before an oral glucose load. While daily supplemented for 6 weeks, prediabetic mice were acutely challenged at day 21 and 34. Oral glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and GLP‐1 levels were assessed, and a gastric emptying assay performed in prediabetic mice. H80 significantly lowered the blood glucose response in lean and prediabetic mice, at a 4 g/kg dose (−25% and −36%, respectively), compared to vehicle. In chronically supplemented, prediabetic mice, acute H80 administration slowed down gastric emptying (−60%) after 21 days and increased plasma insulin (+166%) after 35 days of supplementation. H80 increased plasma active GLP‐1 in lean (+217%) and prediabetic (+860%) mice. Overall, the data indicate that the specific collagen hydrolysate, H80, has significant GLP‐1‐mediated effects on oral glucose tolerance in lean and prediabetic mice. Furthermore, effects on postprandial glucose tolerance were evaluated in a small, human, proof of concept study. H80 reduced the postprandial glucose response at a 5 g dose in healthy, normoglycemic and prediabetic participants. Oral supplementation with H80 might thus be a promising strategy to maintain normal glucose tolerance.

Background A healthy skin provides protection against intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Skin aging is characterized by structural and morphological alterations affecting skin health, integrity, and functionality, resulting in visible aging signs. Aim The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of a collagen peptide dietary supplement on skin aging in the East Asian population. Methods Eighty‐five healthy women, aged from 43 to 65 years old, were randomly assigned to the collagen supplement (CP, 5 g) or placebo (maltodextrin, 5 g) group. To standardize daily skin care, the volunteers in both groups used a specific face cream for 28 days prior to and throughout the supplementation period, creating an equal baseline for the assessment of the efficacy of CP on several skin parameters. At baseline, day 28 and day 84, the following hallmarks of skin and nail aging were assessed: dermis density, skin moisture and elasticity, wrinkle visibility, beauty perception, and nail color. Results After 84 days, a significant improvement of dermis density and skin moisture was observed in the collagen peptides group compared to the placebo group. Positive effects on skin elasticity, wrinkle visibility, nail color, and overall beauty perception were already observed within 28 days of supplementation in the CP group, while the same effects in the placebo group were only observed after 84 days. Conclusion Taken together, these results show that, in addition to a standardized skin care, daily supplementation with 5 g of collagen peptides positively affects visible signs of skin and nail aging in the East Asian population.

Background Collagen hydrolysates (CH) in functional foods and supplements are dietary sources of amino acids (AAs) and di-and tripeptides linked to various health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the single-dose bioavailability of skin- and hide-derived CH from fish, porcine and bovine origin with different molecular weights (bovine 2,000 and 5,000 Da). Methods A randomized, double-blind crossover clinical study was performed with healthy volunteers assessing the plasma concentration of free and peptide-bound hydroxyproline (Hyp) as well as selected peptides reported to be abundantly present in collagen. Results The pharmacokinetic endpoints demonstrated comparable uptake of free Hyp from all CH. A higher amount of total compared to free Hyp indicated the uptake of substantial amounts of Hyp-containing di- or tripeptides. Conclusion Independently of source and molecular weight, all CH yielded relevant plasma concentrations of the investigated metabolites. Larger studies are needed to estimate an ideal level of selected circulating metabolites needed to trigger distinct physiological reactions in target tissues.

Purpose The primary aim of this study was to examine whether a glycine-rich collagen peptides (CP) supplement could enhance sleep quality in physically active men with self-reported sleep complaints. Methods In a randomized, crossover design, 13 athletic males (age: 24 ± 4 years; training volume; 7 ± 3 h·wk ¹ ) with sleep complaints (Athens Insomnia Scale, 9 ± 2) consumed CP (15 g·day ¹ ) or a placebo control (CON) 1 h before bedtime for 7 nights. Sleep quality was measured with subjective sleep diaries and actigraphy for 7 nights; polysomnographic sleep and core temperature were recorded on night 7. Cognition, inflammation, and endocrine function were measured on night 7 and the following morning. Subjective sleepiness and fatigue were measured on all 7 nights. The intervention trials were separated by ≥ 7 days and preceded by a 7-night familiarisation trial. Results Polysomnography showed less awakenings with CP than CON (21.3 ± 9.7 vs. 29.3 ± 13.8 counts, respectively; P = 0.028). The 7-day average for subjective awakenings were less with CP vs. CON (1.3 ± 1.5 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6 counts, respectively; P = 0.023). The proportion of correct responses on the baseline Stroop cognitive test were higher with CP than CON (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 0.97 ± 0.05 AU, respectively; P = 0.009) the morning after night 7. There were no trial differences in core temperature, endocrine function, inflammation, subjective sleepiness, fatigue and sleep quality, or other measures of cognitive function or sleep (P > 0.05). Conclusion CP supplementation did not influence sleep quantity, latency, or efficiency, but reduced awakenings and improved cognitive function in physically active males with sleep complaints.

Background: Joint discomfort is a widespread and growing problem in active adults. The rising interest in preventative nutrition has increased the demand for supplements reducing joint discomfort. Protocols assessing the effect of a nutritional intervention on health commonly involve a series of face-to-face meetings between participants and study staff that can weigh on resources, participant availabilities and even increase drop-out rates. Digital tools are increasingly added to protocols to facilitate study conduct but fully digitally run studies are still scarce. With the increasing interest in real-life studies, the development of health applications for mobile devices to monitor study outcomes could be of great importance. Objective: The purpose of the current real-life study was to develop a specific mobile application, Ingredients for LifeTM, to conduct a 100% digital study testing the effectiveness of a hydrolyzed cartilage matrix (HCM) supplement on joint discomfort in a heterogeneous group of healthy, active consumers. Methods: The 'Ingredients for LifeTM ' mobile app using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was specifically developed to monitor the variation in joint pain after exercise by the study participants. A total of 201 healthy and physically active, adult women and men (18 to 72 years old) with joint pain completed the study over a period of 16 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated to the study groups and did not receive any dietary or lifestyle advice. Each participant indicated one area of joint pain and logged the type and duration of their weekly activities. They received blinded study supplements and took a daily regimen of 1 g of hydrolyzed cartilage matrix (HCM-G) or 1g of maltodextrin (placebo group; P-G) for 12 weeks while weekly logging joint pain scores in the app. This was followed by a 4-week wash out period during which participants continued reporting their joint pain scores (until the end of week 16). Results: Joint pain was reduced within 3 weeks of taking a low dosage of HCM (1g/day), regardless of gender, age group and activity intensity when compared to the placebo-group. After stopping supplementation, joint pain scores gradually increased but still remained significantly lower than placebo after 4 weeks of washout. The low dropout rate (< 6% of participants, mainly in the P-G) demonstrates the digital study was well received by the study population. Conclusions: The digital tool allowed to measure a heterogeneous group of active adults in a real-life setting (without any lifestyle intervention), thus promoting inclusivity and diversity. With low dropout rates, it demonstrates that mobile applications can generate qualitative, quantifiable, real-world data showcasing supplement effectiveness. The study confirmed that the oral intake of a low dose (1g/day) of HCM led to a significant reduction of joint pain from 3 weeks after starting supplementation.

Purpose We examined the effects of collagen peptides (CP) supplementation on exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) stress. Methods In a randomized, crossover design, 20 volunteers (16 males: $\dot{V}$ V ˙ O 2max , 53.4 ± 5.9 ml·kg ⁻¹ ) completed 3 trials: a non-exercise rest trial, with no supplement (REST) and then an exercise trial with CP (10 g·day ⁻¹ ) or placebo control (CON) supplements, which were consumed for 7 days prior to, and 45 min before, a 70 min run at 70–90% of $\dot{V}$ V ˙ O 2max . Outcome measures included urinary lactulose and rhamnose (L/R), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), anti-LPS antibody, monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL) 6 and 8, cortisol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (measured pre, 10 min post and 2 h post) and subjective GI symptoms. Results There were no differences in heart rate, perceived exertion, thermal comfort, or core temperature during exercise in the CP and CON trials (all P > 0.05). I-FABP was higher in CP (2538 ± 1221 pg/ml) and CON (2541 ± 766 pg/ml) vs. REST 2 h post (1893 ± 1941 pg/ml) (both P < 0.05). LPS increased in CON vs. REST 2 h post (+ 71.8 pg/ml; P < 0.05). Anti-LPS antibody decreased in CON and CP vs. REST at post (both P < 0.05). There were no differences in MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 between the CP and CON trials (all P > 0.05), and no differences in L/R or GI symptoms between CON and CP (all P > 0.05). Conclusion Collagen peptides did not modify exercise-induced changes in inflammation, GI integrity or subjective GI symptoms but LPS was higher in CON 2 h post-exercise and thus future studies may be warranted.

BACKGROUND Joint discomfort is a widespread and growing problem in active adults. The rising interest in preventative nutrition has increased the demand for supplements reducing joint discomfort. Protocols assessing the effect of a nutritional intervention on health commonly involve a series of face-to-face meetings between participants and study staff that can weigh on resources, participant availabilities, and even increase dropout rates. Digital tools are increasingly added to protocols to facilitate study conduct, but fully digitally run studies are still scarce. With the increasing interest in real-world studies, the development of health apps for mobile devices to monitor study outcomes is of great importance. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this real-world study was to develop a specific mobile app, Ingredients for Life, to conduct a 100% digital study testing the effectiveness of a hydrolyzed cartilage matrix (HCM) supplement on joint discomfort in a heterogeneous group of healthy, active consumers. METHODS The Ingredients for Life mobile app using a visual analog scale was specifically developed to monitor the variation in joint pain after exercise by the study participants. A total of 201 healthy and physically active women and men (18-72 years old) with joint pain completed the study over a period of 16 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated to the study groups and did not receive any dietary or lifestyle advice. Each participant indicated one area of joint pain and logged the type and duration of their weekly activities. They received blinded study supplements and took a daily regimen of 1 g of HCM (HCM group) or 1 g of maltodextrin (placebo group) for 12 weeks while weekly logging joint pain scores in the app. This was followed by a 4-week washout period during which participants continued reporting their joint pain scores (until the end of week 16). RESULTS Joint pain was reduced within 3 weeks of taking a low dosage of HCM (1 g/day), regardless of gender, age group, and activity intensity when compared with the placebo group. After stopping supplementation, joint pain scores gradually increased but still remained significantly lower than those of the placebo group after 4 weeks of washout. The low dropout rate (<6% of participants, mainly in the placebo group) demonstrates that the digital study was well received by the study population. CONCLUSIONS The digital tool allowed us to measure a heterogeneous group of active adults in a real-world setting (without any lifestyle intervention), thus promoting inclusivity and diversity. With low dropout rates, it demonstrates that mobile apps can generate qualitative, quantifiable, real-world data showcasing supplement effectiveness. The study confirmed that the oral intake of a low dose (1 g/day) of HCM led to a significant reduction of joint pain from 3 weeks after starting supplementation.