This study investigates short-term intra- and inter-individual variability in human blood metabolism under real-life conditions. Using minimally invasive finger-prick blood sampling, dietary records, and wearable devices, we will longitudinally monitor blood-circulating metabolites and glucose levels in healthy individuals over a four-week period without dietary or lifestyle intervention. The study focuses on metabolic transitions between pre- and postprandial states during habitual daily activities and routine meals. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics will be used to characterize metabolite profiles and their associations with diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress. In parallel, the study evaluates the feasibility of microsampling approaches, wearable-derived physiological data, and isotope-labelled standards for robust and cost-effective metabolite quantification. The results will inform the design of larger longitudinal studies using minimally invasive blood sampling in non-controlled settings.
Age: 18-65 years old
Body Mass Index (BMI): 18.5-29.9 kg/m2
Weight stability within the previous 3 months (self-reported).
Positive intention to maintain usual routine physical activity and eating habits during the study.
Presence of acute chronic diseases, inflammatory or functional gastrointestinal disorders, or any diagnosed disease condition that disrupt daily routine activities.
Routine use medications or supplements that could potentially interfere with the study outcomes
History of eating disorder
Recent use of antibiotic medication within the last 3 months prior to the first visit
Single group
Burger
Dietary supplementEach week, participants will eat one burger and collect finger blood before adn after consuming the burger 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min, 240 min
Daily blood microsampling
DeviceFinger-prick will be performed using a disposable pressure-activated lancet (Sterilance Press II, Vitrex; 21G, 2.8 mm incision) on which the lancet cannot be reactivated, and it returns to a safe plastic compartment after puncture. This mechanism reduces biohazard risks and risk of needlestick injuries. The finger-prick blood samples will be collected using a Capitainer quantitative dry blood spot (qDBS) micro sampling device (Capitainer). The total amount of blood obtained per time will be 20 - 100 µL. The micro sampling device has two inlet ports, and when a drop of blood encounters the inlet port of the device, blood flows by capillary forces in a microchannel and 10 -50 µL of blood is absorbed in a pre-perforated paper disk. This principle allows the collection of a fixed volume of blood and overcomes the hematocrit bias. Metabolite in microsamples will be extracted and analyzed using LC-MS platforms
Daily glucose monitoring
DeviceAn automatic glucose readings will be attached to participant to monitor daily glucose levels. Data will be acquired by the sensor and shared with the researcher
Intra- and inter-individual metabolome variation
Evaluate intra- and interindividual short-term variability in blood-circulating metabolites of healthy individuals using minimally invasive blood collection methods and metabolomics.
Postpradial blood circulating metabolites levels
During the study, the participants will also be asked to provide, once a week, a dietary record of one habitual/non-controlled meal they had for lunch during a weekday and collect blood samples from finger prick at defined time points after the ingestion of the selected lunch meal (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h). Participants will also receive a portable capillary glucose meter to measure glucose levels when collecting samples before and after the selected lunch meal. Metabolites (e.g., bile acids, amino acids) will be measured in the collected blood using mass spectrometry platform.
Postprandial Measurement of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Tryptophan-Derived Metabolites in Blood
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and related microbial metabolites were measured following burger consumption. Primary outcome metabolites included SCFAs as well as tryptophan-derived metabolites such as indole compounds. These metabolites were quantified in blood samples collected from participants over a 4-hour postprandial period after the meal using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based analytical platforms.
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