Collagen Peptides and Cellular Aging

Sponsor
University of Vienna
Study ID
NCT07456449
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Biological Ageing
  • Healthy Aging
  • Longevity

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
50 Years - 70 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Collagen peptides — DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
    Collagen peptides (oral daily supplementation), taken once daily for 24 weeks in a randomized 1:1, double-blind design; primary outcomes: telomere length (qPCR T/S) and telomerase activity (TRAP), with inflammatory/redox markers as secondary endpoints. Target population: adults 50-70 years with BMI 25-30 and low-to-moderate activity; vegetarians/vegans excluded due to animal-derived collagen. Matched maltodextrin placebo, identical dosing and visit schedule (T0, T1, T2), serving as the comparator to isolate collagen peptide effects in the parallel-group, double-blind trial. Products are approved as foods; prior clinical studies reported no substance-related adverse effects.
  • Maltodextrin (Placebo) — DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
    Placebo instead of the collagen peptides

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if daily collagen peptide supplementation can stabilize or lengthen telomeres and improve related markers of cellular aging in adults aged 50-70 years with overweight and low-to-moderate physical activity (healthy volunteers without major chronic disease). Main questions it aims to answer are: Does six months of collagen peptides stabilize or extend telomere length and increase telomerase activity compared with placebo? Are any telomere-related changes associated with lower inflammation, healthier body composition, and better functional health? Researchers will compare collagen as an intervention to a placebo group to see if collagen will influence aging markers. Participants will take collagen peptides or a placebo daily for 24 weeks. They will attend three study visits: one before starting the intervention (T0), one at 3 months (T1), and one at 6 months (T2). At each visit, blood samples will be collected to measure telomere length, telomerase activity, and inflammation/redox markers. Participants will also undergo body composition assessments using bioelectrical impedance, complete functional tests of muscle strength and mobility, and fill out questionnaires on health and vitality.

Key Dates

First listed
Mar 6, 2026
Start date
Apr 22, 2026
Status verified
Jan 2026
Primary completion
Feb 29, 2028
Completion
Aug 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
125 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Collagen Peptides
    Participants receive daily oral supplementation with specific collagen peptides for 24 weeks. Allocation is randomized 1:1 and double-blinded against placebo. Study visits occur at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2). Blood samples are collected to assess telomere length (qPCR T/S ratio) and telomerase activity (TRAP), alongside inflammation and redox markers. Body composition (bioelectrical impedance), functional tests (muscle strength, mobility), and questionnaires on health and vitality are also performed. The intervention aims to test whether six months of collagen peptides stabilize or extend telomeres and increase telomerase activity compared with placebo.
  • Placebo Comparator: Maltodextrin
    Participants receive a daily placebo matched in a double-blind design for 24 weeks, with the same schedule of study visits at T0, T1, and T2 and the same assessments (blood biomarkers of telomere biology, inflammation/redox; body composition; functional tests; questionnaires) as the verum arm. Maltodextrin serves as the control to compare effects against collagen peptides in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

Primary Outcome Measure

Telomere length [ Time Frame: Baseline and after supplementation (24 weeks) ]

Central Contacts

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