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Abstract In this randomized, crossover, pilot clinical study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of enzymes-probiotics blend with whey protein on the amino acid absorption and gut microbiota. Healthy subjects were supplemented with the whey protein and test i.e. Pepzyme Pro (enzymes-probiotics blend) or placebo i.e. maltodextrin for 15 days with the washout period of 30 days. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma free amino acids, insulin, and CRP. Additionally, urine nitrogen, fecal nitrogen, and gut microbiota were evaluated. On day 15, the test arm showed upward trend in rate of amino acid absorption than placebo arm within 30 min of post ingestion of protein. Moreover, rate of absorption of few essential and branched chain amino acids were significantly higher (methionine ( p = 0.049), leucine ( p = 0.014), isoleucine ( p = 0.053)) in the test arm on day 15. Total branched chain amino acids absorption were found to be significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.05) in the test arm than the placebo arm within 30 min of post ingestion on day 15. Uptrend in total amino acid absorption and C max , and downtrend in T max was observed on day 15 in the test arm. The CRP, fecal nitrogen, and urine nitrogen remained unaltered after supplementation. Microbiota profiling showed significant change in abundance of species of genus Bacteroides and phylum Bacteroidetes . Overall, metagenomics and metabolomics based assessments demonstrated that the consumption of Pepzyme Pro with whey protein could potentially improve protein digestion, amino acid absorption, and modulate gut microbiota. Clinical trial registration The clinical trial registry of India CTRI/2021/09/036169 Registered on: 02/09/2021
Rathi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.