RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06424132

Thermogenic Silencer Regulatory Factors in Humans

Identification of Thermogenic Silencing Regulatory Factors as Biomarkers of Metabolic Health in Humans

Sponsor

Rockefeller University

Enrollment

120 participants

Start Date

Aug 16, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Obesity Metabolic Disease Cold Exposure

Summary

A promising approach to correct the metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity is to activate brown fat non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). A critical limitation with NST as a therapeutic option, however, is that this beneficial process is silenced under human physiological temperature conditions and the mechanisms of how this occurs is unknown. This study will be the first to identify human NST silencing factors that may be targeted for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 35 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is trying to identify the molecular signals that keep brown fat (a type of body fat that burns energy as heat) in a switched-off state at normal body temperatures, which may help explain why people with obesity have difficulty losing weight. If these "silencing factors" can be identified, they could become targets for new obesity treatments. You may be eligible if you are 18 to 35 years old and fall into one of three groups: lean (BMI 18.5–24.9), obese (BMI over 30), or obese with type 2 diabetes. Participation involves blood draws and a small fat tissue sample taken under controlled temperature conditions, with no major procedures required. This summary was prepared using AI to help patients understand this research.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERCold Vest Exposure Period

A cold vest will be placed on the participant which consists of a water-perfused wearable vest, size S-M or M-L with adjustable straps attached to a small 'cooler' reservoir to circulate cold water between the vest and the cooler (Polar Products, Stow, OH- Product link: www.polarproducts.com/polarshop/pc/CoolOR-13-Quart-System-with-Arctic-Chiller-p24757.htm) This product is safe and recommended by experimental guidelines for human BAT studies. Participants will be cold exposed for a period of 3 hours resting in a reclined position engaged in reading and/or digital entertainment of their choice.

OTHERRewarming Exposure Period

Following cold exposure, the cold vests will be removed, and participants will be offered a warm blanket to ease the transition from cold back to warm temperatures. Participants will then be moved to an adjacent warm room maintained at 30 degrees celsius and asked to return to the resting position of their choice. Participants will then engage in reading and/or digital entertainment for a 3-hour warm exposure period.

OTHERFasting

Participants will be requested to refrain from food and caloric drinks for 12 hours (starting at 8pm) prior to the study visit. Blood will then be drawn the following morning (between 8 and 9am) 30mins later following a breakfast meal (9:30am- 10am). Participants will be housed in a room with ambient temperature at 25 degrees celsius between the two blood draws.