The Effect of Cold Exposure on Glucose Tolerance

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hyperglycemia
• Interventions: Other: Temperature

• Registration Number: NCT03700164
• Lead Sponsor: Maastricht University

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of cold exposure on an individual's glucose tolerance. Previous research has already shown that 10 days acclimation to a mild cold environment (14-15°C) can enhance insulin sensitivity. However, the duration in the cold environment was 6 hours per day which may not be practical for everyone. Therefore, the present study will investigate the effect of a shorter, and more intense cold exposure on an individual's glucose tolerance. It is hypothesised that cold exposure before consuming a glucose drink will enhance glucose clearance.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-09-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-10-08
• Study First Posted: 2018-10-09
• Study Start: 2019-01-11
• Primary Completion: 2019-11-01
• Study Completion: 2019-11-01
• Status Verified: 2020-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-07-13
• Last Update Posted: 2020-07-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Thermoneutral (Control)	Temperature	Participants will be wrapped in a water-perfused suit. The temperature of the suit will remain at a thermoneutral temperature (32°C) to avoid shivering and excessive sweating. The duration will be matched to that during the cold exposure.
Cold exposure	Temperature	Participants will be wrapped in a water-perfused suit. The temperature of the suit will be lowered to 10°C. From the onset of shivering, the participants will remain in the suit for 1 hour.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Glucose and insulin concentrations in response to an oral glucose load	3 hours post glucose drink, measured 90 minutes after the cold exposure

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Skin temperature measured using iButtons	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured using an automatic blood pressure device	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure
Thermal sensation	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure	How warm or cold the participant perceives the environment. Assessed with a visual analogue scale (scale ranging from cold to hot).
Comfort	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure	How comfortable or uncomfortable the participant perceives the environment. Comfort assessed with a visual analogue scale (scale ranging from very comfortable to very uncomfortable).
Energy expenditure measured using indirect calorimetry	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure
Core temperature measured using a telemetric pill	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure
Shivering activity assessed using surface electromyography	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure
Heart rate measured using chest heart rate monitor sensor	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure
Skin blood flow measured using laser doppler flowmetry	30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Maastricht University; 🇳🇱 Maastricht, Netherlands