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IL-6 Regulation of Substrate Metabolism and Influence of Obesity

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Healthy
Obesity
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03967691
Lead Sponsor
Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of blocking IL-6 signaling with tocilizumab on lipid, glucose and protein metabolism during rest and exercise in healthy and obese humans.

Interleukin-6 is a molecule produced by a variety of cells and impacts on energy metabolism during fasting and fed conditions. Systemic IL-6 levels are low but increase acutely in response to fasting, exercise and infection, and also chronically in response to obesity and other conditions of lowgrade inflammation.Our recent human intervention study showed that IL-6 receptor blockade prevents exercise training from reducing visceral fat mass.

Whether IL-6 receptor blockade directly regulates lipolysis and/or lipid oxidation in humans is however unclear. Therefore, this study will be performed to investigate the physiological role of IL-6 on lipid, glucose and protein metabolism in humans.

Detailed Description

The aim of the study is to assess changes in substrate kinetics, that is, lipolytic rate, rate of appearance and disappearance of free fatty acids, fatty acid oxidation, glucose rate of appearance and disappearance and protein synthesis and degradation during rest and exercise with and without IL-6 receptor blockade. We will assess the acute effects of blocking IL-6 as well as the long-term consequences of IL-6 receptor blockade on all the above parameters.

Overall, we hypothesize that blocking IL-6 changes substrate kinetics. More specifically we hypothesize that blocking IL-6 reduces the appearance of free fatty acids, reduces the lipolytic rate and lipid oxidation. We hypothesize that the consequences of blocking IL-6 will be observed during resting and exercising conditions and both immediately and longterm after IL-6 receptor blockade. We hypothesize that IL-6 receptor blockade results in an increased respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and thus increased reliance on glucose as substrate.

In this study 10 healthy males and 10 obese males will be included. Subjects will be infused with saline on 2 of the study days and tocilizumab on 1 of the study days.

Isotope dilution techniques with \[6,6-2H2\]Glucose, \[1,1,2,3,3-D5\]glycerol, K-\[U-13C16\]palmitate, L-\[ring-D5\]phenylalanine, L-\[D2\]tyrosine will be applied to assess lipid, glucose and protein kinetics. Respiratory exchange ratio will be measured by indirect calorimetry. The BORG scale will be used to assess the perceived exertion during exercise.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
22
Inclusion Criteria
  • BMI < 18 and > 25 kg/m2 or ≥ 30 and ≤ 40 kg/m2
  • Healthy (based on screening)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Smoking
  • Severe thyroid or heart disease
  • inflammatory diseases
  • current infection
  • liver disease
  • kidney disease
  • immunosuppressive disease
  • corticosteroid use
  • regular NSAID usage
  • aspirin use >100 mg/d
  • history of carcinoma
  • history of tuberculosis
  • anemia
  • neutropenia
  • low platelets
  • bleeding disorders
  • obstructive pulmonary disease

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Saline infusionSaline 0.9%Subjects will be infused with saline (placebo) on study day 1
Saline infusion under tocilizumab influenceSaline 0.9%Subjects will be infused withsaline (but still under the influence of tocilizumab) on study day 3
Tocilizumab infusionTocilizumab infusionSubjects will be infused with tocilizumab on study day 2
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Lipolytic rate0-28 days

Rate of appearance and disappearance of glycerol and palmitate, fatty acid oxidation during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Noradrenaline0-28 days

Changes in noradrenaline during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Protein metabolism0-28 days

Rate of appearance and disappearance of phenylalanine and tyrosine during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Perceived exhaustion during exercise0-28 days

Borg scale (rate of perceived exertion during exercise; score range from minimum 6 to maximum 20; 6 = "no feeling of exertion", 20 = "very, very hard") in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

C-peptide0-28 days

Change in c-peptide during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Glucagon0-28 days

Change in glucagon during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Adrenaline0-28 days

Change in adrenaline during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Glucose kinetics0-28 days

Rate of appearance and disappearance of glucose during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Triglycerides0-28 days

Changes in triglycerides during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Respiratory exchange ratio (RER)0-28 days

RER during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Glucose0-28 days

Change in glucose during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Insulin0-28 days

Changes in insulin during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Free fatty acids0-28 days

Change in free fatty acids during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Cortisol0-28 days

Change in cortisol during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Interleukin 60-28 days

Change in IL-6 during rest and exercise in the presence of tocilizumab as compared to placebo

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rigshospitalet, Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism (CIM) Centre for Physical Activity Research (CFAS)

🇩🇰

Copenhagen, Denmark

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