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Adaptation of Human Brown Adipose Tissue to Calorie Restriction

Adaptation of Human Brown Adipose Tissue to Calorie Restriction (BATON)

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06878989
Acronym
BATON
Enrollment
30
Registered
2025-03-17
Start date
2025-01-25
Completion date
2026-12-31
Last updated
2025-12-26

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

Conditions

Obesity and Overweight

Keywords

Energy metabolism, Metabolic Health, Brown adipose tissue (BAT), Thermogenesis, Obesity

Brief summary

The BATON study investigates how human brown adipose tissue (BAT) adapts to a controlled caloric restriction diet in young adults with obesity. A weight maintenance diet group will be compared to a group following a diet designed to induce an 8-10% weight loss over a 12-16 week period. Outcome assessments will include advanced technologies such as PET-CT and molecular analyses of BAT. The overarching goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the role of human BAT on the regulation of body weight.

Interventions

Dietary intervention consisting on a meal plan designed to maintain a stable body weight for up to 16 weeks.

Dietary intervention consisting on a meal plan designed to induce an 8-10% weight loss over a 12-16 week period.

Sponsors

Hospital Clinico Universitario San Cecilio
CollaboratorOTHER
University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves
CollaboratorOTHER
Universidad de Granada
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Body mass index (BMI) of 27-40 kg/m², with a body fat percentage (determined by DXA, Hologic Wi) exceeding 25% in men and 30% in women. * Reported stable body weight over the preceding 3 months (body weight changes of less than 3%). * Laboratory safety test results (general biochemistry and complete blood count) within the normal reference range or with abnormalities deemed clinically insignificant by the medical research team and not requiring pharmacological treatment. * Adequate venous access for blood sampling required by the procedures described in this protocol and absence of needle, blood, or medical procedure phobia. * Readiness and ability to consume all foods included in the assessments and dietary intervention. * Ability to understand and comply with study procedures, as assessed by the research team. * Availability to participate in the study. * Commitment to completing the study regardless of the assigned group.

Exclusion criteria

* Diagnosis or presence of signs or symptoms that, in the opinion of the research team, may contraindicate the dietary intervention or any of the procedures included in the study. * Diagnosis or history of metabolic (including any type of diabetes mellitus), hematologic, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immune, hepatic, renal, urologic, or psychiatric diseases that could interfere with study outcomes or protocol adherence. * History of any surgical procedure that, in the opinion of the research team, could alter energy metabolism or digestive function during the course of the study. * Having been exposed to medical procedures involving an estimated radiation dose exceeding 5 mSv in the past 5 years or 10 mSv over a lifetime. * Use of medications or supplements that are known to alter body weight or appetite. * Weight loss exceeding 10% in the past two years or more than 5% in the past six months, unless completed weight recovery has occurred. * Adherence to unconventional dietary patterns, such as vegan or fasting diets, or inability to tolerate the foods provided during the study. * Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant within the next two years, postpartum period (within 12 months after delivery), or lactation. * Perimenopausal status, defined as the presence of irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal changes indicative of perimenopause, or menopausal symptoms. * Participation in any type of nutritional intervention or treatment within the past three months. * Diagnosis or risk factors for the development of an eating disorder. * Frequent disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle. * Clinically significant abnormalities in gastric emptying, current diagnosis of any form of diabetes, blood pressure exceeding 160/90 mmHg, or resting heart rate below 50 or above 100 beats per minute (while seated), regardless of stable antihypertensive medication use. * Active or untreated malignant disease or remission from a clinically significant malignant disease for less than five years prior to the evaluation. * History of drug or alcohol abuse or a positive drug test, unless due to a medication prescribed by a healthcare professional. * Smoking, vaping, or habitual use of tobacco products, unless abstinent for at least 72 consecutive hours during the past four weeks. * Habitual caffeine consumption exceeding the equivalent of three espresso coffees per day (225 mg/day). * Being a direct relative or household member of the research team personnel. * Any other condition that, in the opinion of the research team, contraindicates study participation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
BAT volumeBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
BAT 18F-FDG uptake upon cold exposureBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
BAT UCP-1 protein contentBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Mean adipocyte sizeBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Waist circumference (cm)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Hip circumference (cm)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Resting Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Resting Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fat mass (kg) by DXABaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fat free mass (kg) by DXABaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fat mass (kg) by BioimpedanciometryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fat free mass (kg) by BioimpedanciometryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Body Mass Index (kg/m2)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Resting Energy Expenditure (kcal/day) measured by indirect calorimetryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Ad libitum energy intake (kcal) measured in a test mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced thermogenesis (% of resting energy expenditure) measured by indirect calorimetryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Resting heart rate variabilityBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).RMSSD, SDNN
Maximal fat oxidation (g/min) by indirect calorimetryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Physical activity (counts) measured by accelerometryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum HDL cholesterol (mg/dl)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Sedentary time (min) measured by accelerometryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Habitual food consumption collected by a food frequency questionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Serum total cholesterol (mg/dl)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum C-reactive protein (mg/l)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum thyrotropin (µU/mL)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum alanine aminotransferase (U/L)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum aspartate aminotransferase (U/L)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (U/L)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum glucose (mg/dl)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum insulin (U/ml)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum hemoglobin A1c (mmol/mol)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum triiodothyronine (ng/dL)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum thyroxine (ng/dL)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Sleep time (min) measured by accelerometryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Handgrip strength (kg) measured using a dynamometerBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in insulin concentration (U/ml) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in glucose concentration (mmol/L) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in lactate concentrations (mmol/l) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in triglycerides concentrations (mg/dl) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in total cholesterol concentrations (mg/dL) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in free fatty acids (mmol/L) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in glycerol concentrations (mmol/l) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Meal-induced changes in 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations (mmol/L) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Functional mobility measured by Timed Up and Go (TUG) testBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Walking speed (m/s) measured by a gait speed testBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Independence in activities of daily living (ADL) measured by Barthel IndexBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Subcutaneous fat thickness (cm) measured by ultrasoundBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Food cravings measured using the Food Craving Inventory questionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Control of eating behavior measured using the Control of Eating Weekly QuestionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Cognitive restriction of food intake measured using the Three-Factor Eating QuestionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Food disinhibition measured using the Three-Factor Eating QuestionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Subjective hunger measured using the Three-Factor Eating QuestionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Binge eating behavior measured using the Binge Eating QuestionnaireBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fasting appetite-related sensations measured using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary interventionThe scales range from 0 to 100
Meal-induced changes in appetite-related sensations measured using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) in response to a standardized mealBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).The scales range from 0 to 100
Energy efficiency (W/Kcal) while cycling, assessed by indirect calorimetryBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Vastus lateralis thickness (cm) measured by ultrasoundBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Superficial fat thickness (cm) measured by ultrasoundBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum triglycerides (mg/dl)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Carbohydrate intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recallsBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fat intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recallsBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Protein intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recallsBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Fiber intake (g/day) collected through three 24-hour recallsBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention
Preperitoneal fat thickness (cm) measured by ultrasoundBaseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Serum LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
BAT transcriptomics (RNA sequencing)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss).
Weight (kg)Baseline; End of the dietary intervention (Week 12/16, depending on when the participant achieves an 8-10% weight loss); 6 months after the end of dietary intervention; 12 months after the end of dietary intervention

Countries

Spain

Contacts

Primary ContactGuillermo Sanchez-Delgado
gsanchezdelgado@ugr.es+34 958241574

Outcome results

None listed

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