A multi-mineral intervention to improve disease-related and mechanistic biomarkers in ulcerative colitis patients: Results from a randomized trial

Introduction The long-term goal of our ongoing studies is to determine if, and to what extent, a multi-mineral product (Aquamin) could benefit individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC). As a step toward achieving that goal, we carried out a pilot 180-day biomarker trial (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03869905) in patients with UC in remission or with mild disease. Approach A total of 28 subjects participated in the study. Each subject was randomly assigned to receive either Aquamin for 180 days or placebo for 90 days. At Day-90, placebo subjects crossed over to Aquamin for the final 90 days. At Day-0, -90 and -180, serum samples were analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), intestine-specific ALP (ALPI), and for biomarkers of bone turnover (osteocalcin, TRAP5b and bone-specific ALP BALP). Stool specimens were assessed for fecal calprotectin (fCAL) and colon biopsies were examined histologically by Geboes scoring at the same time points. Each subject underwent DEXA scanning (at Day-0 and Day-180 only). In addition, mass spectrometry-based proteomic assessment was performed using colon biopsies obtained at each time point. Results Subjects who received Aquamin for the complete 180-day period (a total of 12) demonstrated improvements in all biomarkers (CRP, fCAL, ALP, ALPI, and Geboes scoring); this was not observed in the placebo group (16 subjects). When cumulative pre-post differences were compared between the Aquamin and placebo groups, Aquamin treatment significantly decreased these differences (a 24% decrease as compared to a 38% increase with placebo, p = 0.0284). Subjects who received Aquamin for 90-days showed intermediary responses. Subjects receiving Aquamin for 180 days also demonstrated increases in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), resulting in a statistically significant increase (7.3%, p = 0.0324) in the hip strength index over the treatment period. This was accompanied by increases in osteocalcin and TRAP5b and a decrease in BALP. The proteomic screen demonstrated upregulation of multiple gut barrier proteins, cell surface transporter molecules and certain proteins with anti-inflammatory potential in response to Aquamin. Aquamin treatment also led to downregulation of several proteins associated with the pro-inflammatory state. Conclusion The results presented here suggest that the use of a multi-mineral intervention improves disease-related biomarkers in patients with UC. These studies suggest the potential value of the mineral intervention as a low-cost, non-toxic adjuvant therapy for mild UC or for individuals with UC in remission.