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Effect of Timed-Restricted Eating on Metabolic Health

The Effect of Timed-Restricted Eating on Insulin Sensitivity, De Novo Lipogenesis and Liver Fat in Subjects With Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06061042
Acronym
TREAT
Enrollment
30
Registered
2023-09-29
Start date
2023-10-31
Completion date
2027-12-31
Last updated
2023-09-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Insulin Resistance, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Obesity

Brief summary

We aim to determine the effect of combined isocaloric time restricted eating and meal timing on metabolic health, liver fat, functional brain networks, inflammation, and sleep pattern/quality in subjects with obesity and insulin resistance.

Detailed description

Obesity is an alarming global health issue, with increasing prevalence. Obesity leads to a vast array of disorders, including dyslipidemia, the accumulation of intrahepatic triglycerides (IHTG), multiorgan insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, disruption of the circadian rhythm (circadian misalignment), which is associated with irregular eating schedules, is an important risk factor for the development of obesity, IHTG and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Time restricted eating (TRE) is a form of intermittent fasting, in which the daily eating period is restricted. The beneficial effect of this type of diet might relate to adequate synchronization of food intake and fasting to the internal rhythm of the circadian tissue clocks, improving metabolic handling of nutrients and metabolic flexibility.

Interventions

Subjects will follow an isocaloric diet, designed by a dietician. The eating window for the early-TRE group is between 7 AM - 5 PM

Subjects will follow an isocaloric diet, designed by a dietician. The eating window for the late-TRE group is between 10 AM - 8 PM

Sponsors

Diabetesfonds
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Ability to provide informed consent; * BMI \> 30kg/m\^2; * Insulin resistance, as defined by fasting plasma insulin \> 62 pmol/L and/or prediabetes, as defined by fasting plasma glucose \> 5.3 and \< 7.0 mmol/L; * Stable weight for 3 months prior to study inclusion * For women, 1 year after last menstrual cycle

Exclusion criteria

* Use of any medication, except for those related to treatment of metabolic syndrome; * Any medical condition interfering with study outcomes or design; * History of any psychiatric disorder, including eating disorders; * Performing shift work * Performing intensive sports (\>3 hours/week); * Smoking; * Drugs abuse or alcohol abuse (\>3 units/day); * Contraindication for MRI; * Known lactose/gluten intolerance; * Known soy, egg, milk or peanut allergy; * Childhood onset of obesity

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Insulin SensitivityBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will use the Oral Minimal Model Method in conjunction with a Mixed Meal Tolerance Test (MMTT) to quantitatively evaluate insulin sensitivity. Concentrations of insulin, glucose, and C-peptide will be measured during the course of the MMTT to serve as the requisite inputs for the model. The output is in dl/kg/min/uU/ml.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in plasma glucoseBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2Fasted and stimulated glucose (mmol/L) will be measured during MMTT
Change in intrahepatic fatBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2To quantify the intrahepatic fat content, a single voxel 1H-MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) will be used. Relative fat content will be expressed as the ratio of the fat peak over the cumulative fat and water peak. This will also be corrected for T2 relaxation.
Change in beta cell function (C-peptide)Baseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2Fasted and stimulated C-peptide (nmol/L) will be measured during MMTT
Change in insulin aignalingBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2Biopsies will be taken from skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat to measure key proteins in the insulin signalling pathway (Western blots)
Change in glucose variabilityBaseline 1 to week 4 for intervention 1, Baseline 2 to week 12 for intervention 2In our study, we will deploy Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to acquire an in-depth understanding of glucose variability in participants throughout the course of the intervention. These monitors gauge glucose concentrations in the interstitial fluid (mmol/L), serving as a reliable proxy for blood glucose levels. This approach will enable us to assess key metrics such as mean, minimum and maximum glucose levels.
De novo lipogenesisBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2Fasted and stimulated de novo lipogenesis (DNL) will be measured during the MMT as 2H incorporation into fatty acids following deuterated water (2H2O) administration
Immunological markersBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will conduct immune cell phenotyping on whole blood samples to identify and categorize various immune cell types. Additionally, we will assess immune cell function and metabolism in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Inflammatory markers will also be assessed in serum samples to provide a comprehensive overview of immune and inflammatory status.
Physical activityBaseline 1 to week 4 for intervention 1, Baseline 2 to week 12 for intervention 2Physical activity will be assessed via accelerometry. Accelerometry represents the magnitude of acceleration in any direction, over a predefined epoch.
Functional brain activityBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2Brain activation maps and functional connectivity will be assessed by blood oxygen dependent signals in the resting state and after visual food cues using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Change in plasma insulinBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2Fasted and stimulated insulin (pmol/L) will be measured during MMTT
Psychological factor - Eating behaviourBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will utilize the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (NVE) to assess and categorize the eating behaviors and tendencies of our participants. The NVE discerns three distinct eating styles: emotional eating, external eating, and restrained eating. A higher score within a specific style suggests a predominant inclination towards that particular eating behavior.
Psychological factor - Hunger scaleBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will employ a nine-question visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess hunger. Each question will be scored 0-100.
Psychological factor - Food addictionBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will use the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) to assess addictive behaviours. The YFAS 2.0 is designed in accordance with the DSM-5 criteria, and its scoring system mirrors the number of DSM-5 criteria fulfilled indicative of addiction.
Psychological factor - ImpulsivenessBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will use the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) to scale impulsiveness towards food. This will help us understand how impulsivity might influence dietary behaviour. The score ranges from 30-120 and a higher score leans towards greater impulsivity.
Psychological factor - ChronotypeBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2To determine natural sleep-wake patterns, we will use the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). This tool offers a comprehensive understanding of sleep behaviors, revealing a chronotype.
Subject experience with interventionBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will employ a semi-structured oral interview as part of our qualitative approach to understand our participants' experience and adherence to the intervention.
Delay discounting computational taskBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2The delay discounting task aids in understanding the decision-making processes that might contribute to overeating and poor food choices. In this task, we will be able to measure the ability of each individual to delay immediate gratification for a greater future reward.
Iowa gambling computational taskBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We use the Iowa gambling task to assess decision-making and risk-reward sensitivity. Participants choose cards from four decks, each with different reward and punishment rates, aiming to maximize their winnings. We use this task to study risk taking and impulsive behaviour.
Psychological factor - Food CravingBaseline 1 and week 4 for intervention 1; Baseline 2 and week 12 for intervention 2We will use the General Food Cravings Questionnaire (G-FCQ) to evaluate the frequency and intensity of food cravings among participants. The scoring for the G-FCQ ranges between 21 and 105, with higher scores indicative of more pronounced food craving tendencies.

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

Primary ContactJur Kroon, BSc
jur.kroon@amsterdamumc.nl+31 683238752
Backup ContactSarah E Siegelaar, MD PhD
s.e.siegelaar@amsterdamumc.nl

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026