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Mechanisms of Fasting Induced Reduction in Energy Expenditure

ConditionFasting
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-40
SponsorETH Zurich

About this trial

Fasting reduces the energy consumption of the human body. The extent of this adaptation varies significantly between different individuals. The aim of this research project is to investigate how this adaptation of the metabolism is regulated by the body. For this purpose, we will first measure how the so-called basal metabolic rate of the body reacts to a short-term fasting of 24 h in a preliminary study. Those subjects with a particularly pronounced and those subjects with an only slightly pronounced reaction of the basal metabolic rate will be invited to the main study.

Here, in random order (24 h fasting vs. 8 h fasting), the following is compared

* how the basal metabolic rate of the body reacts to the reduced energy intake. * how the energy metabolism increases after a test meal * what role in particular the thyroid hormones play in this adaptation. In addition, a sample of the subcutaneous adipose tissue is taken in each case and it is examined how the regulation of metabolic processes at the cellular level.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Age: 18 to 40 years

Body mass index 18.0 to 27.0 kg/m²

Disqualifiers

Chronic conditions necessitating medical treatment (e.g., renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus),

Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse,

Inability to follow the procedures of the study

Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study,

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

  • mixed meal test

    Other intervention

    mixed meal test after fasting

Treatment groups

40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Fasting for 24 hoursOther 1 intervention
Group B: Fasting for 12 hoursOther 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

change of energy expenditure (EE) determined by indirect calorimetry (kcal per 24h)

Difference of EE (determined by indirect calorimetry) between baseline and 60 minutes after ingestion of the liquid test meal. Both measurements will be performed after an overnight fasting period.

Time frame
60 minutes after ingestion of test meal

Secondary outcomes

1

Level of free thyroxine

The thyroid hormone (TH) system is an important regulator of EE. We hypothesize that levels of TH are higher in the "spendthrift" than in the "thrifty" group.

Time frame
after 24 hours and after 12 hours of fasting
2

Level of free triiodothyronine

The thyroid hormone (TH) system is an important regulator of EE. We hypothesize that levels of TH are higher in the "spendthrift" than in the "thrifty" group.

Time frame
after 24 hours and after 12 hours of fasting
3

Respiratory quotient (RQ)

We hypothesize that the participants in the "thrifty" group have a lower proportion of fatty acid metabolism and therefore a higher RQ.

Time frame
after 24 hours and after 12 hours of fasting

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

ETH Zurich

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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