Investigating the Cellular Heterogeneity of Human Brown Adipose Tissue and Its (Patho)Physiological Regulation
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 12
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Tissue transcriptional changes derived from cold exposure
研究概览
简要总结
This clinical trial explores how repeated short-term cold exposure impacts the molecular and physiological function of brown adipose tissue (BAT), a thermogenic organ associated with improved cardiometabolic health. While intermittent cold exposure has been shown to increase BAT activity and mass, as measured by fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans, the molecular adaptations within BAT and other thermogenic tissues including skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue (WAT) remain poorly understood.
Healthy adults aged 18 to 40 years (6 males and 6 females) will participate in a 10-day cold acclimation protocol (2 hours per day using water-perfused cooling blankets). The primary objective is to determine how cold exposure alters cellular heterogeneity and gene expression in BAT, WAT, and skeletal muscle.
Participants will undergo baseline assessments, including measurements of energy expenditure, core and skin temperature, muscle activity, and blood sampling, each performed in both warm and cold conditions. These assessments will be followed by dynamic total-body PET/CT imaging during cold exposure and tissue biopsies from BAT, subcutaneous WAT, and skeletal muscle. These procedures will be repeated after the cold acclimation protocol to evaluate physiological and molecular changes. Additional outcomes include changes in energy expenditure, cold tolerance, and immune cell responses induced by cold exposure.
详细描述
Twelve healthy adults aged 18-40 years old (6 female, 6 male) will:
- Attend baseline visits in both warm and cold conditions for blood sampling, measurement of energy expenditure, skin and core temperature, muscle activity. This will be followed by dynamic total-body 18F-FDG PET/CT scan during cold exposure.
- Undergo biopsies of BAT (supraclavicular), skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis), and subcutaneous WAT (periumbilical) under local anesthesia.
- Complete 10 consecutive days of cold acclimation (2 hours per day) using water-perfused cooling blankets.
- Return for follow-up assessments, including repeat blood sampling, energy expenditure, temperature measurements, PET/CT imaging, and tissue biopsies to evaluate post-acclimation changes.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Basic Science
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 40 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Aged 18-40 years
- •Body mass index 18.5-25 kg/m2
- •Weight change of less than 5% in the past 6 months
- •No acute or chronic medical conditions
- •On no regular medications (other than contraceptives in female participants)
- •No claustrophobia
- •Alcohol intake ≤14 units/ week
- •Screening blood tests within acceptable limits (of no clinical significance)
- •Not currently pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding (female participants only)
- •Ability to provide informed consent.
排除标准
- •Not meeting inclusion criteria
- •Contra-indication to PET/CT scan
- •Allergy to local anaesthetic
研究组 & 干预措施
Healthy normal weight subjects
干预措施: Cooling (Other)
Healthy normal weight subjects
干预措施: Injection of 18F-FDG (Radiation)
Healthy normal weight subjects
干预措施: Electromyogram (Other)
Healthy normal weight subjects
干预措施: Core and skin temperature monitoring (Other)
Healthy normal weight subjects
干预措施: Biopsies (Procedure)
Healthy normal weight subjects
干预措施: Indirect calorimetry (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Tissue transcriptional changes derived from cold exposure
时间窗: 1 year
We will be analysing and comparing gene expression from nuclei extracted from BAT, WAT and skeletal muscle before and after cold the 10-day cold acclimation protocol.
次要结局
- Immune cell levels(year after)
- Changes in brown adipose tissue activity/mass before and after cold acclimation protocol(year after)
- Energy expenditure(year after)
- Skin and core temperature(year after)
- Energy expenditure(year after)
- Skin and core temperature(year after)