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The Effect of Fasting on Peak Fat Oxidation, Mitochondrial Coupling and Extracellular Matrix

The Effect of Fasting on Peak Fat Oxidation, Mitochondrial Coupling and Extracellular Matrix in Healthy Men and Lean and Obese Men and Women

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07692646
Acronym
GlycoFast84
Enrollment
40
Registered
2026-07-09
Start date
2026-06-01
Completion date
2033-12-01
Last updated
2026-07-09

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

Conditions

Fasting, Obesity (BMI>30), Sex Difference

Keywords

Muscle metabolism, Mitochondrial coupling, Extracellular matrix composition, Peak fat oxidation

Brief summary

The interventional study will recruit four groups (n=10 per group): Young men and women with normal weight (BMI 18-25), and young men and women with obesity (BMI \>30). The study will investigate the effect of 84 hours of fasting on peak fat oxidation, mitochondrial coupling and the extracellular matrix.

Detailed description

Four groups of young normal weight men (n=10) and women (n=10) and young obese men (n=10) and women (10) are recruited. After verbal and written information is provided signed consent is obtained. Prior to the first day of the trial, the participants must complete a four-day dietary and exercise record based on the weighing of all food and beverages consumed and tracking all exercise. This is used to asses the participant's habitual diet and activity level. For female participants, an additional form must be completed regarding their menstrual cycle and form of contraception. On the two trial days (before and after fasting), participants arrive at the laboratory in the morning, and on the first day, the participant will have fasted since the previous evening. Furthermore, participants have been asked to minimize strenous physical activity for 24 hours leading up to testing. Prior to day 1, participants have been instructed to consume a habitual carbohydrate-rich diet for the 48 hours preceding the first test day. Initially, the participants' body composition is determined by DXA, after which the participants rest for 15 minutes. Subsequently, blood pressure is measured in the supine position whereafter resting energy expenditure is measured by indirect calorimetry. A venous blood sample is taken from the antecubital vein, as well as a biopsy from the m. vastus lateralis and from the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue using the Bergström technique applied with suction. After 30 minutes of rest, a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer is initiated to determine peak fat oxidation and maximal oxygen uptake. After the test is completed and following a minimum of 10 minutes of rest, handgrip strength and knee extension strength are measured. This concludes the test day. Thereafter, the 84-hour fast is initiated. During the fasting period, the subjects will communicate by telephone each morning with one of the researchers regarding their well-being and any questions they may have. On day 2 subjects will do 1 hour of submaximal exercise. During the fasting subjects will be provided with electrolyte tablets. Following the 84 hours, the subjects return to the laboratory. Here, the same protocol as described above is carried out. This concludes the test day and the experiment.

Interventions

OTHERDiet

Long-term fasting (84 hours), physiological testing before and after fasting: sampling of blood, abdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle for molecular analysis and respiratory measurements at rest.

Sponsors

University of Copenhagen
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Cross sectional study including four groups

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy normal weight men aged \[18,40\] and BMI \[18,25\] * Healthy normal weight women \[18,40\] and BMI \[18,25\] * Healthy obese men \[18,40\] and BMI \[30,40\] * Healthy obese women \[18,40\] and BMI \[30,40\]

Exclusion criteria

* Present or former cardiovascular disease and chronical inflammatory disease * Consumption of medications and supplements that influence substrate use at rest and/or during exercise * Pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The effect of fasting and obesity on protein glycosylation of the extracellular matrix in adipose tissueThe fasting will last approximately 84 hours.The composition and protein glycosylation of the extracellular matrix will be measured in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue samples in 20 healthy normal weight men and women and 20 healthy obese men and women.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The effect of fasting and obesity on peak fat oxidationThe fasting will last approximately 84 hours40 participants (20 healthy normal weight men and women and 20 healthy obese men and women) will fast for 84 hours. Before and after the fast, peak fat oxidation (mg fat/min) is measured in an incremental bike test using indirect calorimetry.

Countries

Denmark

Contacts

CONTACTJørn W Helge, PhD
jhelge@sund.ku.dk+4528757506

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 10, 2026