MedPath

Glucocorticoid Long-term Administration: Effect on Cold Induced Energy Expenditure and Resting Metabolic Rate

Completed
Conditions
Thermoregulation Impairment
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Indirect calorimetry
Diagnostic Test: Skin Temperature
Diagnostic Test: Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
Diagnostic Test: Blood Sampling
Diagnostic Test: FDG-PET
Diagnostic Test: Capillary glucose
Diagnostic Test: Biopsy of supraclavicular adipose tissue (optional)
Registration Number
NCT03949361
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to investigate whether treatment with glucocorticoids leads to a change in heat production of the human body at mild cold conditions.

Detailed Description

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a thermogenic tissue that can convert chemical energy directly into heat due to the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) protein. Data from preclinical studies shows that glucocorticoids (GCs) inhibit the function of BAT. In clinical practice GCs are often administered due tue their antiinflammatory properties making the investigation of short term (e.g. one week) and long therm (several months) effects practically relevant. This study's objective is to evaluate the effect of glucocorticoid treatment on cold induced thermogenesis (CIT) in humans.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
7
Inclusion Criteria
  • Planned therapy with at least 7.5 mg prednisone equivalent per day or higher for more than 28 days (group A)
  • Planned weaning off glucocorticoid therapy which lasted al least 28 days with a dosage of at least 7.5 mg prednisone (group B)
  • BMI 19-30 kg/m2
  • Informed Consent as documented by signature
Exclusion Criteria
  • Insufficient thyroid hormone substitution in case of hypothyroidism
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >7.5%)
  • Severe concomitant diseases: chronic heart failure, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, active cancer
  • Known hypersensitivity to cold, e.g. primary or secondary Raynaud's Syndrome
  • Known or suspected non-compliance
  • Abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs
  • Claustrophobia
  • Women who are pregnant or breast feeding
  • Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc of the participant
  • Previous enrolment into the current study
  • Enrolment into another study using ionizing radiation within the previous 12 months

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Patients starting glucocorticoidsIndirect calorimetryPatients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients starting glucocorticoidsBiopsy of supraclavicular adipose tissue (optional)Patients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsSkin TemperaturePatients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Patients starting glucocorticoidsBlood SamplingPatients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsIndirect calorimetryPatients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsCapillary glucosePatients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsBiopsy of supraclavicular adipose tissue (optional)Patients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Patients starting glucocorticoidsFDG-PETPatients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsBlood SamplingPatients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsFDG-PETPatients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Patients starting glucocorticoidsSkin TemperaturePatients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients starting glucocorticoidsDual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)Patients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients starting glucocorticoidsCapillary glucosePatients starting a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
Patients stopping glucocorticoidsDual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)Patients stopping a glucocorticoid therapy measuring primary and secondary endpoints before weaning off glucocorticoids and after a period of at least 3 months.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) under glucocorticoidsChange from glucocortoid start to +4 to 8 weeks into treatment/ +3 months after weaning off GCs (resp.)

Comparison of CIT change off-glucocorticoids with warm ischemia time (WIT) on-glucocorticoids by using indirect calorimetry. Comparing two Groups (Observation group A and B) we will address the CIT change from glucocorticoid start to 4-8 weeks into treatment (group A) and the CIT change from glucocorticoid therapy to weaning off upon more than 3 months after glucocorticoid withdrawal (group B)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Body compositionBaseline and +4 to 8 weeks into treatment/ +3 months after weaning off GCs (resp.)

Comparison of body composition concerning muscle mass and fat mass, determined by DXA

SUV max in supraclavicular adipose tissue depotBaseline and +4 to 8 weeks into treatment/ +3 months after weaning off GCs (resp.)

Determination of SUV max in the supraclavicular adipose tissue, after positron emission tomography (PET)-CT

Resting metabolic rate (RMR)Baseline and +4 to 8 weeks into treatment/ +3 months after weaning off GCs (resp.)

Comparison of RMR of patients starting GCs or patients stopping GCs, measured by indirect calorimetry

Cold stimulated glucose uptake into supraclavicular BATBaseline and +4 to 8 weeks into treatment/ +3 months after weaning off GCs (resp.)

Determination of 'standardized uptake value' (SUV) mean in two volumes of interest on the supraclavicular adipose tissue, after PET-CT

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Basel, Department of Endocrinology

🇨🇭

Basel, BS, Switzerland

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath