2-A-Day Study: Twice a Day Meals Study.

February 9, 2024 updated by: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Caloric restriction increases lifespan and/or healthspan across multiple species. However implementation of long-term CR in humans is problematic and unacceptable to many individuals. As a result, intermittent fasting models have been developed to improve adherence. Such models have been shown to improve blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, decrease hepatic fat content and body weight. Investigators established an isocaloric twice-a-day (ITAD) feeding plan in mice, wherein test mice were acclimatized to consume over two hour periods (8-10am and 5-7pm), the same amount of food as ad-libitum mice. This intervention prevented obesity and age-associated type 2 diabetes via system-wide activation of autophagy. The investigators will perform further studies of the same feeding model in humans in a randomized crossover design. The objective is to test the hypothesis that restricting eating periods to twice a day (TAD), when compared to isocaloric ad lib meal timing (ALMT), will have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, body composition, energy expenditure and autophagy in human subjects at risk for diabetes

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Caloric restriction (CR) increases lifespan and/or healthspan across multiple species including non-human primates. However, implementation of long-term CR in humans is problematic and unacceptable to many individuals. Further, since CR leads to loss of muscle mass in mice, it is likely that its implementation as a restorative strategy during aging may exacerbate age-associated muscle loss. As a result, intermittent fasting models, e.g., alternate-day fasting, alternate day-modified fasting, the 5:2 diet, and the more recently elucidated early time-restricted feeding (eTRF)3 were developed as alternative strategies to improve adherence. Intermittent fasting increases glucose clearance/improves insulin sensitivity, decreases hepatic fat content, lowers blood pressure and body weight by varying degrees (at least when calories were unmatched). Despite these metabolic advantages, these approaches have also shown poor adherence in humans. For instance, alternate-day fasted subjects remained hungry on the fast days, which led to the conclusion that this approach cannot be continued for extended periods of time, and that adding one small meal on the fasting day may make this model more acceptable. Accordingly, in alternate day-modified fasting, fasted days (25% caloric intake) alternated with feasting days (125% calories), which improved compliance although dropout rates remained relatively high (38%) when compared to control group (26%). In addition, this feeding approach was not found to be superior to daily caloric restricted controls in terms of adherence, weight loss or cardiovascular benefits. More recently, eTRF wherein men with prediabetes were subjected to a 6-hr feeding interval with dinner before 1 pm displayed a number of metabolic benefits when compared to individuals on a 12-hr feeding time-frame. Nevertheless, due to vocational or societal factors, it is plausible that a vast majority of individuals may not be able to adhere to a regimen requiring the consumption of three meals within the first 6 hr of the diurnal cycle. In the attempt to offset compliance-related issues and to pursue a simpler approach, investigators established an isocaloric twice-a-day (ITAD) feeding plan in mice, wherein test mice are acclimatized to consume over two 2hr-periods (8:00-10:00am and 5:00-7:00pm) the same amount of food as ad libitum-fed mice. This would effectively translate to a breakfast and dinner (two meals) in humans. It has been shown that two periods of food restriction per day in mice prevents obesity and age-associated type 2 diabetes via system-wide activation of autophagy. This study is to determine if twice-a-day feeding will restore normoglycemia and promote metabolic correction in older men with prediabetes.

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradative pathway that plays key roles in maintaining "clean" cells. It is well-established that basal autophagy levels begin to decline progressively in aged organisms. Maintaining higher autophagy levels improves organ function and stress response. For instance, liver-specific overexpression of autophagy genes protects against diet-induced obesity and tumor necrosis factor-mediated acute hepatotoxicity. In the investigators' studies with ITAD feeding in mice, blocking autophagy in distinct tissues resulted in loss of the metabolic benefits from this feeding strategy. Consequently, it is propose that establishing ITAD feeding in humans will yield a cost-effective, practical and immediately translatable strategy to prolong health-span by preventing diabetes and sarcopenia as well as the vast number of secondary diseases caused by sustained hyperglycemia.

This study will investigate the feasibility of a TAD eating regimen and collect preliminary data to inform a larger-scale and more definitive trial.

Specific Aims:

Aim 1: To assess the feasibility of implementing a structured TAD eating regimen using study-provided meals 1a. To design meal plans that are isocaloric with habitual intake and intended to maintain weight and to develop methods to prepare, package and deliver the meals.

1b. To develop and evaluate methods to enhance and monitor participant adherence to TAD eating; this will include patient logs, photo records of food intake and continuous (participant blinded) glucose monitoring.

  1. c. To assess participant satisfaction with TAD meal restriction, using validated instruments to evaluate hunger, satiety and well-being Aim 2: To collect preliminary data on the effect of TAD meal restriction to inform design of an adequately powered RCT
  2. a. To collect preliminary data on the effect of TAD meal restriction on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and secretion, body composition and energy expenditure

2b. To collect preliminary data on the effect of TAD meal restriction on cellular processes related to autophagy

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • Bronx, New York, United States, 10461
        • Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

30 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • ● Men, age 30-70 years. In this preliminary study, recruitment is limited to men because data from the relevant animal studies showed marked sexual dimorphism, with more pronounced metabolic effects in males. Future studies will include both males and females.

    • IFG or IGT based on 75g OGTT (fasting plasma glucose 100 -125 mg/dl and/or 2-hr glucose between 140 - 199 mg/dl); Or diabetes (FPG > 126 mg/dl or 2 hr glucose > 200 mg/dl) not on treatment and with HbA1c < 6.8% can also be enrolled.

      • BMI 25-35 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Type 2 diabetes with A1C ≥6.8% or on drug treatment; Type 1 diabetes
  • Treatment with drugs known to influence glucose metabolism (diabetes medications, systemic glucocorticoids, niacin > 500 mg/day)
  • Current smoking, alcohol or drug abuse
  • Vigorous habitual physical activity (e.g., marathon runner, heavy weights trainers)
  • Subjects with symptomatic gastrointestinal disorders or intolerance (e.g., food allergies, lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, etc.) or other conditions requiring special diet or meal timing.
  • Subjects with serious chronic illness: severe (activity limiting) COPD, NYHA class 3 or 4 heart failure, kidney disease (eGFR<45ml/min), liver enzyme abnormalities (ALT > 2 times ULN), stroke, MI or ACS within last 6 months, cancer or HIV disease under treatment.
  • Any other disease/condition that the investigator believes may interfere with participation in the study (e.g., eating disorder).
  • Unstable weight conditions: gain or loss of > 5 pounds or 2.5% body weight in past 3 months.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Other: Ad libitum meal timing first
This arm will receive the ad libitum meal timing intervention first, followed by the twice a day feeding intervention.
Other: Ad libitum meal timing
Research participants will eat meals provided by the study throughout the day, ad libitum
Other: Twice a day meals
Research participants will eat meals provided by the study at two intervals during the day, and fast in between.
Other: Twice a day meals first
This arm will receive the twice a day feeding intervention first, followed by the ad libitum meal timing intervention.
Other: Ad libitum meal timing
Research participants will eat meals provided by the study throughout the day, ad libitum
Other: Twice a day meals
Research participants will eat meals provided by the study at two intervals during the day, and fast in between.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Insulin sensitivity
Time Frame: 5 weeks
insulin sensitivity as measured by the Matsuda Index
5 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Glucose tolerance
Time Frame: 5 weeks
Glucose level after oral glucose tolerance test as measured by glucose area under the curve.
5 weeks
Body Composition
Time Frame: 5 weeks
Fat mass as estimated by bioimpedance analysis
5 weeks
Energy expenditure
Time Frame: 5 weeks
Resting energy expenditure as estimated by indirect calorimetry
5 weeks
Autophagy level
Time Frame: 1 week
Expression of levels of autophagosome marker LC3 by immunoblotting
1 week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jill Crandall, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 20, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 16, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 16, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 8, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 16, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 18, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 13, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 9, 2024

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2018-9671
  • 5P30DK020541 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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