Effect of psyllium fiber supplementation on C-reactive protein: the trial to reduce inflammatory markers (TRIM).
OBJECTIVE
Recent evidence supports a significant association between the intake of dietary fiber and levels of inflammatory markers. The objective of this study was to determine whether daily fiber supplementation would reduce levels of inflammatory markers.


METHODS
This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial at a single university medical center. Participants were overweight or obese adults with no history of heart disease. The intervention was psyllium supplementation at either 7 or 14 g/d for 3 months compared with no supplements in a control group. The main outcome measure was change in level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration; secondary outcomes included changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, fibrinogen levels, and white blood cell (WBC) count. Protocol completers attended at least 2 visits and took more than 75% of the prescribed fiber dose.


RESULTS
In this intent-to-treat analysis (n = 158), there were no significant differences between either of the 2 treatment groups and the control group in the amount of change in CRP, fibrinogen, or IL-6 levels or in WBC count (P>.05). In the analysis of protocol completers (n = 132), there also were no significant differences between the groups except for a small decrease in fibrinogen level in the high-fiber group (-6 mg/dL [-0.18 micromol/L] compared with 13 mg/dL [0.38 micromol/L] in the control group, P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Psyllium fiber supplementation did not significantly reduce CRP levels in overweight or obese individuals in this trial, and changes in other markers were not consistent. Further research is needed to determine whether other fibers or nutrients can reduce inflammatory markers.
King
Dana E
DE
Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. kingde@musc.edu
Mainous
Arch G
AG
Egan
Brent M
BM
Woolson
Robert F
RF
Geesey
Mark E
ME
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011620:Psyllium / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011620:Psyllium; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein