MedPath

The Effect of Weekly Semaglutide Treatment on Energy Expenditure

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Obesity; Drug
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT06390501
Lead Sponsor
Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Brief Summary

This study will test the effects of weekly injections of the glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist semaglutide on energy expenditure and metabolic parameters in a 24 week double-blind, placebo-controlled dose escalation randomized trial. After baseline testing, 52 patients will be randomly assigned to the semaglutide or matching placebo injection group. In addition to taking medication or placebo, all participants will a calorie restricted diet provided by the researchers, providing 600 kcals per day below their estimated baseline requirements. Before and at the end of treatment, weight status, body composition, basal metabolic rate (BEE), 24h energy expenditure, daily total energy expenditure (TEE) for free living, physical activity, energy intake (questionnaire and food table), and hormone parameters for energy homeostasis will be evaluated.

Detailed Description

Obesity is a complex chronic recurrent multifactorial disease characterized by abnormal or excessive body fat, which impairs physical health. In recent years, the glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide has attracted much attention due to its significant impact on weight loss. It can not only effectively control blood sugar by regulating the secretion of insulin and glucagon. It can also participate in certain brain regions of the body at pharmacological doses, regulating food intake and consumption. Semaglutide reduces energy intake and achieves weight loss by delaying gastric emptying, suppressing appetite, reducing hunger, and increasing satiety. This effect has been proven to be produced by activating the glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors in the central nervous system, further indirectly regulating the activity of neurons involved in appetite regulation, food intake, and preference.

The previous results of using GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) in rats and humans provide promising evidence data to support current randomized clinical trials. Peripheral administration of GLP-1 or GLP-1 RA can reduce blood sugar and energy intake in humans and rodents, and long-term treatment can lead to weight loss. In mice the drug also sustains energy expenditure at levels similar to controls, preventing the reduction that normally accompanies caloric restriction. Whether the same effects occur in humans is unclear because no studies have yet been performed comparing semaglutide treated individuals with those on a standard calorie restricted diet (in effect pair feeding). Therefore, in this study, researchers will use doubly- labelled water (DLW) and respiratory chambers to investigate whether semaglutide can prevent the reduction of energy expenditure that typically occurs during energy restriction.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboOnce-weekly injections of gradually increased volumes of saline placebo, to match the volumes of the semaglutide treated arm.
SemaglutideSemaglutideOnce-weekly injections of gradually increased doses of semaglutide
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes of Energy Expenditure Assessed by ChamberFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

The total energy expenditure in a free living environment is measured using a 24-hour chamber.

Changes of Physical ActivityFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Physical activity of the participants will be recorded using GT3X accelerometer worn near the hip for a consecutive period of 14 days. The monitor should not be worn while bathing or swimming. The first day is discarded along with any day where the wear time is less than 12 hours. For a valid measure the goal is to get 2 weekday and 2 weekend days.

Changes of Total Energy Expenditure Assessed by Doubly Labeled Water AnalysisFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

TEE will be measured using the DLW method. Urine samples from all participants in the DLW subset will be stored at -20 ℃ and shipped on dry ice for analysis in the laboratory of Dr. John Speakman at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese academy of sciences. Isotopes will be measured in benchtop near-infrared isotope gas analyzer, and mean CO2 production will be calculated from isotope ratios using the recently derived equation (Speakman et al 2021: Cell reports medicine). TEE will then be calculated using mean CO2 production using the Weir equation.

Changes of Resting Energy ExpenditureFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Resting energy expenditure will be measured using indirect calorimetry via a respiratory hood system (Cosmed). The subject attends in the lab after an overnight fast. The person lies down on a flat bed and the hood is placed over their head. Metabolic rate (oxygen consumption and CO2 production) are monitored for 40 minutes. The last 10 minutes is used as the measurement. Calorimeters will be assessed with a turbine test to ensure accuracy of measurements. Validation via an alcohol burn will be performed monthly.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall appetite score (OAS) before and after intake of a standardised mealFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

give a score from 0 to 100

Body Mass Index (BMI)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Percent change of body mass index (BMI), as calculated by the formula: body weight in kg divided by height in meters², between baseline and the end of the 24-week randomized drug treatment phase.

Waist and Hip circumferencesFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Waist and Hip circumferences will be measured using a whole body laser scanner.

Fat massFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Fat mass will be measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Shanghai united imaging, uMR 790 ).

Changes in Body Composition as Assessed by Body Fat Mass Using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Body composition change between baseline and the end of the 24-week randomized drug treatment phase assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and expressed as the change in fat mass.

Change in SF-36: role-physical scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Subjects who achieve responder definition value for SF-36 physical functioning score (yes/no)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Number of subjects

Change in HbA1cFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mmol /mol

Body WeightFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Subjects will be asked to fast overnight and weight will be measured using a calibrated Seca body weight scale first thing in the morning on subjects wearing light clothes and no shoes.

Body shapeFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Body shape will be measured using a whole body laser scanner.

Changes in Fat and Total Calorie Intake Assessed by Free Buffet Meal AnalysisFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Changes in fat and total calorie intake during free buffet meals assessed at baseline and after 24-weeks of study drug treatment.

Energy intake during ad libitum lunchFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

The food intake will be assessed objectively by use of a feeding table. The test meal will be provided as lunch, and food types available on the table include staples, vegetables, mushrooms, meat, soy products, desserts, beverages and water. All types of food are unlimited. Food consumption will be recorded continuously by balances concealed under each food dish. The food energy density for each food will be measured by bomb calorimetry in kJ/g, and energy intake will be calculated as the product of the grams of each food eaten multiplied by the respective energy density and then summed, as kJ.

Body waterFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Body water will be measured by deuterium dilution. Subjects will attend in the lab after an overnight fast and provide a baseline urine sample. They will then drink a dose of deuterated water based on their body weight. Three and four hours after dosing a urine sample will be collected to measure the level of deuterium isotope in the body relative to the baseline. This increase allows measurement of the amount of water in the body that diluted the dose.

Mean postprandial rating - HungerFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

give a score from 0 to 100, The ends of each line indicate the most extreme sensation respondents have experienced

Change in lipids: Total cholesterolFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mg/dL

Change in lipids: Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterolFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mg/dL

Change in lipids: Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterolFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mg/dL

Change in SF-36: vitality scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Organ sizesFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Volumes of the brain, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, skeletal muscle in the limbs, trunk and shoulders will be measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Shanghai united imaging, uMR 790 ).

Body temperature from surface temperature of the foreheadFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Body temperature will be measured before and after feeding using a thermal imaging camera. The camera is directed at the forehead to measure the surface temperature.

Change in SF-36: physical component summaryFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Number of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Count

Change in amylaseFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

U/L

Change in lipaseFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

U/L

Metabolites in serum, feces and urineFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Abundance of metabolites will be from metabolomic profiling of serum, urine and feces by LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry).

Far free massFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Fat free mass will be measured by Bioimpedance Analysis (Tanita, MC-980).

Change in energy intake of test mealFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

The food intake will be assessed objectively by use of a feeding table. The test meal will be provided as lunch, and food types available on the table include staples, vegetables, mushrooms, meat, soy products, desserts, beverages and water. All types of food are unlimited. Food consumption will be recorded continuously by balances concealed under each food dish. The food energy density for each food will be measured by bomb calorimetry in kJ/g, and energy intake will be calculated as the product of the grams of each food eaten multiplied by the respective energy density and then summed, as kJ.

Mean postprandial rating - FullnessFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

give a score from 0 to 100, The ends of each line indicate the most extreme sensation respondents have experienced

Mean postprandial rating - SatietyFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

give a score from 0 to 100, The ends of each line indicate the most extreme sensation respondents have experienced

Change in SF-36: bodily pain scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Bone massFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Bone mass will be measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) (Hologic)

Change in physical functioning scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Change in SF-36: general health scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Change in SF-36: mental health scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressureFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using an Omron digital sphygmomanometer, as mmHg.

Blood glucoseFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Fasting and post-prandial glucose after a standard meal will be recorded by a continuous glucose monitoring system.

Change in fasting serum insulinFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mIU/L

Change in lipids: High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterolFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mg/dL

Change in lipids: Free fatty acids (FFA)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

mg/dL

GeneticsFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Polymorphic variation will be assessed in a panel of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) previously linked to body composition and physical activity using a Mass array sequencer.

OR The subjects will have their venous blood collected in a fasted state. 4ml of venous blood (BD vacutainer K2 EDTA, BD, USA) will be used to extract genomic DNA (TIANamp Blood DNA kit, TIANGEN, China. QIAamp Midi Blood DNA kit, QIAGEN, Germany) for Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping (Agena MassARRAY, CapitalBio Technology, China).

Number of serious adverse events (SAEs)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Count

Mean postprandial rating - Prospective food consumptionFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

give a score from 0 to 100, The ends of each line indicate the most extreme sensation respondents have experienced

Change in SF-36: social functioning scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Change in SF-36: role-emotional scoreFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Change in SF-36: mental component summaryFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Short Form 36 v2.0 acute (SF-36) is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. SF-36 measures the subject's overall Health Related Quality of Life on 8 domains: physical functioning, role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health.

Change in lipids: TriglyceridesFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

mg/dL

Change in fatty liver index (FLI) score categoryFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Below 30, equal to or above 30 and below 60, equal to or above 60

Subjects who have permanently discontinued randomised trial product (yes/no)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Number of subjects

Time to permanent discontinuation of randomised trial productFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Weeks

Changes of Circulating Leptin LevelsFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Change in circulating leptin between baseline and the end of the 24-week randomized drug treatment phase

MicrobiomeFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Abundance of gut microbiome will be from Metagenomic profiling of feces by Illumina.

Changes in Inflammation Assessed by C-reactive Protein (CRP)From baseline at week 0 to week 24

Change in C-reactive protein (CRP) between baseline and the end of the 24-week randomized drug treatment phase

Change in pulseFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Beats per minute (bpm)

Circulating hormonesFrom baseline at week 0 to week 24

Nurses will collect the blood samples every month. Levels of circulating hormones (including leptin, insulin, ghrelin etc) and metabolic fuels (glycogen, lactate glucose etc) will be measured when fasted and after a standard intervention meal. Levels of circulating hormones in the serum will be measured by ELISA (Bio Tek, Synergy4) in mmol/L.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology

🇨🇳

Shenzhen, China

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