CompletedNot Applicable

mTORC1 and Autophagy in Human Brown Adipocytes

United States24 participantsStarted 2016-11-01

Plain-language summary

The long term goal is to identify the potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity and its associated disorders by studying the driving factors of activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in human adults. Whereas activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in human adults has been considered as a potential therapeutic target to battle obesity since it was identified in 2009, the underlying mechanisms of beige adipocytes appearance in human adults is unclear. The objective of this proposal is to investigate the role of autophagy in mediating the inhibitory effect of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in regulating human brown adipocytes. The central hypothesis is that autophagy plays a critical role in regulating browning of white adipose tissue and mediates the beneficial effect of mTORC1 inhibition on thermogenesis in human brown adipocytes.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

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: * Male or Female * age 18-60 * able to give informed consent * non-diabetic * scheduled for anterior cervical spine, thyroidectomy, or parathyroidectomy surgery at UNMHSC * BMI \<25 (lean) or \>30 (obese) * English or Spanish speaking Exclusion Criteria: * has diabetes mellitus (type I or II) * currently on any study medication (including sedatives or analgesics, coagulopathy (INR of 1.5 or greater, platelet count of \<50,000/microliter), or anticoagulant) * pregnant * incarcerated

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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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

Protein expression levels in lean and obese human brown adipose tissue samples will be quantified via Western Blot and comparatively analyzed using a student T-test.

Timeframe: Up to six years after date of sample collection.

Gene transcript expression levels in lean and obese human brown adipose tissue samples will be quantified via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and comparatively analyzed using a student T-test.

Timeframe: Up to six years after date of sample collection.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04206124

SponsorUniversity of New Mexico

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2020-09-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Obesity trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Protein expression levels in lean and obese human brown adipose tissue samples will be quantified via Western Blot and comparatively analyzed using a student T-test.

Timeframe: Up to six years after date of sample collection.

Gene transcript expression levels in lean and obese human brown adipose tissue samples will be quantified via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and comparatively analyzed using a student T-test.

Timeframe: Up to six years after date of sample collection.