Intensive Exercise to Improve Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Pediatric Obesity

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Pediatric Obesity; Insulin Resistance; Mitochondrial Dysfunction
• Interventions: Behavioral: Exercise; Behavioral: Lifestyle counseling

• Registration Number: NCT00962806
• Lead Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brief Summary

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are occurring at epidemic rates in the United States and worldwide. The global burden of diabetes is estimated to double over the next 25 years. Obese children are at risk for the development of insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The prevention of type 2 DM is hindered by the lack of a non-invasive predictive test, knowledge as to individual risk and effective preventative measures. There is increasing evidence that alterations in mitochondria contribute to the development of diabetes in humans. Therefore, it is important to explore mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential predictor of diabetes in children and a potential target for prevention. The aims of the proposed protocol are to determine whether an intensive exercise intervention can improve mitochondrial function in children identified as having mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance. The use of a non-invasive imaging technique will allow for a functional in vivo assessment of mitochondrial activity. The investigators propose the investigation of an intensive exercise protocol designed to improve mitochondrial function in children who are insulin resistant and have documented mitochondrial dysfunction by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The study is designed to investigate the plasticity of abnormal mitochondrial function in high risk children. In summary, the proposed projects will investigate mitochondrial function as a non-invasive predictive marker for the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and attempt to modify mitochondrial function with an intensive exercise intervention. The study of mitochondrial dysfunction in children may both identify those at risk for disease and provide a molecular therapeutic target for prevention and treatment.

The investigators hypothesize that children with insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction who are randomized to intensive exercise versus standard lifestyle advice will show improvement in mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-08
• Study First Submitted: 2009-08-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-08-19
• Study First Posted: 2009-08-20
• Status Verified: 2012-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-04-25
• Last Update Posted: 2012-04-27
• Primary Completion: 2012-06
• Study Completion: 2012-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Girls and boys ages 10 to 18 years old

• Body mass index more than 95th percentile for age and gender

• Insulin resistance based on:

  • Fasting parameters: Fasting insulin level, HOMA IR
  • Oral glucose tolerance testing

• Mitochondrial function > 1 median for normal based on control cohort

Exclusion Criteria

• Underlying medical problem with potential to affect growth, pubertal development or glucose homeostasis
• Chronic medical therapy with glucocorticoids, growth hormone, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or other medications with the potential to alter growth, pubertal development or glucose homeostasis within the proceeding 6 months
• Personal history of DM
• Inability to have MRI scan performed due to metal prosthesis or implant

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Exercise	Exercise	8 week intensive exercise group
Control Lifestyle counseling	Lifestyle counseling	Lifestyle counseling without intensive exercise

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Determine whether intensive exercise improves mitochondrial function by P31 MRS and mitochondrial number by peripheral blood analyses.	2 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Determine whether intensive exercise improves metabolic parameters and glucose metabolism.	2 years
Determine whether intensive exercise improves body composition, by DXA, and intramyocellular fat content, by 1H MRS.	2 years

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States