Thyroid Hormones Effect on Brown Adipose Tissue

Study on the Relationship Between the Thyroid Hormones and the Activity of Brown Adipose Tissue in Human

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is important in energy expenditure through thermogenesis although the regulatory factors are not well known in humans. There is evidence suggesting that the thyroid hormones affect BAT functions in lower mammals, but the effects of the thyroid hormones on BAT activity in humans are still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thyroid hormones on glucose metabolism of BAT and other organs in humans.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Hyperthyroidism

Detailed Description

Twenty consecutive patients with Graves'-caused hyperthyroidism who are newly diagnosed and untreated will be studied at the Endocrine Department of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. All subjects are screened and examined by two senior investigators. Putative BAT activity is determined by the integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET-CT. After the first PET scan, hyperthyroid patients will be treated with Methimazole following clinical guidelines. None of them uses beta adrenergic blockade. The initial dose of methimazole employed is 10mg thrice a day. During follow-up, the thyroid hormone levels (free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine) will be measured every twenty days. The PET-CT scans and assessments will be repeated when the symptoms have disappeared and the thyroid hormone levels return to normal range. Then the dose of methimazole will be adjusted accordingly.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 20

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Yiming Li, Dr.; Phone Number: 862152888055; Email: yimingli@fudan.edu.cn

Study Locations

• China
  • Shanghai, China, 200040
    • Recruiting
    • Huashan Hospital
    • Contact: Zhaoyun Zhang, Dr.; Email: zhaoyunzhang@fudan.edu.cn
    • Principal Investigator: Yiming Li, Dr.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Twenty Graves' disease-caused hyperthyroid patients who were newly diagnosed and untreated were included. All hyperthyroid patients were treated with Methimazole and had been followed up until their symptoms disappeared and the thyroid hormone levels went back to normal range.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Newly diagnosed and untreated hyperthyroid patients
• Informed consent was obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of other endocrine diseases
• Useing beta adrenergic blockade
• Pregnant women
• Pacemaker implantation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Huashan Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): May 1, 2012
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): May 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 17, 2011
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): June 20, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE): June 20, 2011
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 17, 2011
• Last Verified: November 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endocrine System Diseases; Thyroid Diseases; Hyperthyroidism
• Other Study ID Numbers: KY2009-257