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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
A multi-mineral intervention is associated with improved intestinal permeability in patients with ulcerative colitis:
Muhammad N Aslam1, Danielle Kim Turgeon2, Shannon McClintock1
1Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Introduction:
Previous studies have shown that Aquamin®, a multi-mineral extract from red marine algae, enhances gut barrier protein expression in the human colon. Here we carried out an exploratory study aimed at generating support for Aquamin® 's ability to affect gastrointestinal permeability.
Methods:
Subjects with mild ulcerative colitis (UC) or UC in remission and healthy controls were enrolled in an open-label, pilot-phase trial and received Aquamin® capsules (800 mg calcium/day) for 90 days. Intestinal permeability was evaluated before and after the 90-day intervention by urinary mannitol excretion after ingestion of a 5 g mannitol solution, with collections across several time intervals (pre-drink, 0-2 h, 2-8 h, and 8-24 h). The primary outcome was the change in mannitol excretion. Serum samples were also collected to assess liver and renal function.
Results:
In this pilot study (NCT04855799), which included UC patients and healthy controls (n = 8 per group), baseline urine mannitol levels in the 0-2 h sample were 54% higher in UC patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.006). Following 90 days of Aquamin® supplementation, urinary mannitol levels in UC patients decreased by 28, 26, and 41% at the 0-2 h, 2-8 h, and 8-24 h time points, respectively; the reduction at the 0-2 h interval reached statistical significance (p = 0.015). Overall, Aquamin® supplementation reduced total post-intervention mannitol excretion by 29% (p = 0.024). Aquamin® was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. Consistent with our earlier findings, the serum metabolic panel revealed a modest but statistically significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase levels after 90 days of intervention.
Conclusion:
Results from this exploratory study provide preliminary evidence that Aquamin® supplementation is associated with improved gut barrier function in UC patients. These findings support further investigation of Aquamin® as a safe and promising adjunct to current UC management strategies, with potential utility as a barrier therapy in UC.
Clinical Trial Registration:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04855799, identifier NCT04855799.
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