PD338 - LEPTERIDINE™ MĀNUKA HONEY AS A THERAPEUTIC OPTION FOR FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED FEASIBILITY TRIAL.

PD338

LEPTERIDINE™ MĀNUKA HONEY AS A THERAPEUTIC OPTION FOR FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED FEASIBILITY TRIAL.

L. Ombasa^1,2,3,*, J. Miller^1,3, R. Gearry^3,4, T. Merry⁵, J. Evans⁵, C. Frampton⁴, S. Bayer^3,4, W. Mcnabb^2,3, A.-L. Heath¹, N. Roy^1,2,3

¹Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, ²Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, ³High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, ⁴Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, ⁵Comvita NZ Ltd, Paengaroa, New Zealand

Rationale: Functional dyspepsia (FD), a chronic upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, is characterised by GI symptoms without a structural cause with negative impacts on quality of life (QoL). It comprises postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). Treatment options are limited. Mā­nuka honey contains bioactive compounds like 3,6,7-trimethyllumazine (Lepteridine™) that may support digestive health; however, its efficacy in FD has not been evaluated.

Methods: In this feasibility trial, 75 adults with FD were randomised to consume 10 g mānuka honey (with low or high Lepteridine™) or a syrup control twice daily for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was changes in FD symptoms and QoL using the Nepean Dyspepsia Index. Differences in scores were examined using general linear models adjusted for baseline. Subtype analyses were done using linear models with subtype, treatment × subtype interaction, and baseline scores.

Results: After 6 weeks, mean (95%CI) FD symptom scores in the low and high groups decreased by -7.0 (-19.7, 5.7) and -7.0 (-19.6, 5.5) points (p=0.438), while QoL increased by 3.7 (-3.4, 10.9) and 2.0 (-5.0, 9.0) points (p=0.568), respectively, vs control. Participants with EPS tended towards greater improvement in symptom (p=0.062) and QoL (p=0.036) scores compared to those without EPS. In this subtype, mean (95%CI) symptom scores decreased by -12.3 (-26.1, 1.5) and -17.0 (-31.1, -2.9) points while QoL scores increased by 8.0 (-0.1, 16.1) and 8.3 (0.7, 16.0) points in the low and high groups, respectively, vs control.

Conclusion: While significant improvements in FD symptoms and QoL were not observed in the overall FD group, the confidence intervals suggest potentially clinically meaningful improvements. Subtype analyses suggest Lepteridine™ mānuka honey may benefit individuals with EPS. These feasibility data will inform the design of future trials.

Disclosure of Interest: L. Ombasa: None declared, J. Miller: None declared, R. Gearry: None declared, T. Merry Grant / Research Support from: Employee of Comvita NZ Ltd, the industry partner., J. Evans Grant / Research Support from: Employee of Comvita NZ Ltd, the industry partner., C. Frampton: None declared, S. Bayer: None declared, W. Mcnabb: None declared, A.-L. Heath: None declared, N. Roy: None declared