The GlasVEGAS Study (Glasgow Visceral & Ectopic Fat With Weight Gain in South AsianS) (NCT02399423) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
The GlasVEGAS Study (Glasgow Visceral & Ectopic Fat With Weight Gain in South AsianS)
United Kingdom35 participantsStarted 2015-03-11
Plain-language summary
South Asians have a much higher risk of diabetes compared to Europeans and investigators don't know why this is. Investigators think that South Asians' capacity to store fat safely under the skin is lower than Europeans, so they start to store fat around internal organs and in liver and muscle, and at lower body weights than Europeans. These increased levels of internal fat storage are thought to increase risk of diabetes.
The purpose of the study therefore is to investigate whether there are differences with weight gain and weight loss in fat storage, fat cell function and metabolic risk factors, in South Asians compared with Europeans. Investigators will compare South Asian and European men at the start of the study, after they have gained about 7% body weight, and again after they have lost 7-15% body weight (from peak weight) to see how gaining and losing weight affects fat storage within the body and the function of fat cells. Investigators will also assess the effect of weight gain and weight loss on metabolism, fitness and risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Participants will be men of European (self-report of both parents of white European origin) or South Asian (self-report of both parents of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan origin) with BMI \<25 kg.m-2, who have been weight stable (± 2 kg) for \>6 months.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Exclusion criteria will include diabetes (physician diagnosed or HbA1c ≥6.5% on screening), history of cardiovascular disease, regular participation in vigorous physical activity, current smoking, taking drugs or supplements thought to affect carbohydrate or lipid metabolism, or other significant illness that would prevent full participation in the study.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This GlasVEGAS study involved participants deliberately gaining 7% of their body weight and then losing it — given my current health situation with my weight and cardiovascular risk, is that kind of intentional weight gain cycle something that would ever be safe or relevant for someone like me to consider?
2The study focused specifically on South Asian people and how fat is stored around organs like the liver — does my own ethnic background affect where I tend to store fat, and should that change how my doctor monitors my diabetes or heart disease risk?
3Since this study measured things like visceral fat, liver fat, and how fat cells respond to insulin, are any of those measurements something my doctor could actually check for me now, and would knowing those numbers change my treatment plan?
4The trial is now completed — is there any way to find out what the researchers discovered about how weight changes affect metabolism and organ fat in South Asians, and could those findings be relevant to the approach my care team takes with me?
5Given that this research looked at how losing 7% of body weight affects body metabolism and fat around the organs, is a weight loss target of roughly 7% of my current body weight a realistic and meaningful goal my doctor would recommend for reducing my cardiovascular or diabetes risk?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in body metabolism after gaining 7% body weight and after losing 7% of body weight
Timeframe: Weight gain assessment made after an expected average of 5 weeks and weight loss assessment after 12 weeks
2
Change in visceral adipose tissue after gaining 7% body weight and after losing 7% body weight
Timeframe: Weight gain assessment made after an expected average of 5 weeks and weight loss assessment after 12 weeks
3
Change in subcutaneous adipose tissue after gaining 7% body weight and after losing 7% body weight
Timeframe: Weight gain assessment made after an expected average of 5 weeks and Weight loss assessment after 12 weeks
4
Change in liver adipose tissue after gaining 7% body weight and after losing 7% body weight
Timeframe: Weight gain assessment made after an expected average of 5 weeks and Weight loss assessment after 12 weeks
5
Change in adipose cell morphology after gaining 7% body weight and after losing 7% body weight.
Timeframe: Weight gain assessment made after an expected average of 5 weeks and weight loss assessment after 12 weeks
6
Change in adipose cell insulin sensitivity after gaining 7% body weight and after losing 7% body weight