RCT Protocol on Pectin Supplementation in MASLD: Systemic Inflammation, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolic Health
This abstract describes a trial protocol only — no efficacy results are available.
| Population | — |
|---|---|
| Intervention | — |
| Comparator | — |
| Outcome | — |
What the study showed
The document is a study protocol, not a results report. It outlines the plan to assess 15 g/day low-methoxyl pectin versus placebo over six weeks in 30 adults with MASLD. Planned outcomes include inflammatory markers, gut microbiome composition, liver stiffness (FibroScan®), and hepatic MRI characteristics.
How it was done
Single-centre, double-blind, randomised (1:1), placebo-controlled dietary intervention at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Fasting blood samples, stool samples, and FibroScan® assessments will be collected at baseline and post-intervention; 22 participants will undergo an MRI sub-study.
Risk of bias
No efficacy data exist at this point — this is a protocol only. The sample size (n=30) is very small, limiting statistical power and generalisability. Six weeks may be insufficient to detect clinically meaningful changes in hepatic steatosis.
What this study does NOT prove
This protocol does not demonstrate that pectin improves any outcome in MASLD — trial data have not yet been collected or analysed.
In clinical practice
No clinical practice change is warranted from this document. Reading should be restricted to methodological design.
Limitations
No efficacy data exist at this point — this is a protocol only. The sample size (n=30) is very small, limiting statistical power and generalisability. Six weeks may be insufficient to detect clinically meaningful changes in hepatic steatosis.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-07-17 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0
Paid access: structured summary from public metadata; consult the original study at the source.