Exercise and Prolonged Fasting to Improve Brown Adipose Tissue Function in Postmenopausal Women (EMPOWER-BAT)
Exercise and Prolonged Fasting to Improve Interscapular Brown Fat Mitochondrial Function and Enhance Metabolic Flexibility in Postmenopausal Women (EMPOWER-BAT)
Type of Study: Clinical Trial
Goal: The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate mitochondrial function in interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) in postmenopausal women and determine whether aerobic exercise, prolonged fasting, or their combination can improve iBAT mitochondrial function and whole-body metabolic flexibility.
Participant Population/Health Conditions: The study will involve 60 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years living with overweight or obesity.
Main Questions: The main questions this study aims to answer are:
- What are the mitochondrial function and cellular characteristics of iBAT in postmenopausal women?
- Can aerobic exercise or five-day prolonged fasting improve mitochondrial function in iBAT and whole-body metabolic flexibility?
- Does combining aerobic exercise with prolonged fasting produce greater metabolic adaptations than either intervention alone?
- Are improvements in metabolic flexibility maintained four weeks after the intervention?
Participants Will:
Be randomized into one of four groups: control, aerobic exercise, prolonged fasting, or combined aerobic exercise plus prolonged fasting.
Follow their assigned intervention for five consecutive days. Undergo metabolic and physiological assessments before and after the intervention and again four weeks later.
Provide dorsocervical adipose tissue biopsies and biological samples to investigate mitochondrial function, adipocyte characteristics, and metabolic adaptations.
Comparison Group: Researchers will compare the effects of aerobic exercise, prolonged fasting, and their combination with a control condition to determine their effects on iBAT mitochondrial function and whole-body metabolic flexibility.
Aperçu de l'étude
Statut
Statut
Les conditions
Les conditions
Intervention / Traitement
Intervention / Traitement
Description détaillée
Postmenopause is associated with a substantial increase in cardiometabolic risk, partly driven by the decline in estrogen levels and alterations in cellular energy metabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been documented in skeletal muscle of postmenopausal women and is associated with metabolic inflexibility, reduced fat oxidation, ectopic fat accumulation, and insulin resistance. However, whether mitochondrial dysfunction is also present in adipose tissue of postmenopausal women, and whether it can be reversed through lifestyle interventions, remains largely unknown.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a mitochondria-rich and metabolically active tissue involved in thermogenesis and substrate utilization. Although human BAT has traditionally been studied in the supraclavicular region, emerging evidence from our research group suggests the presence of a metabolically active adipose tissue depot in the dorsocervical region, referred to as interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT). Preliminary observations indicate that this depot may have distinct metabolic characteristics. However, iBAT has not yet been characterized in postmenopausal women.
Aerobic exercise is a potent non-pharmacological stimulus for mitochondrial remodeling and improves mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity. Exercise-derived lactate may also promote adipose tissue browning and mitochondrial remodeling. Prolonged fasting induces profound metabolic adaptations characterized by increased fat mobilization and changes in substrate utilization. Preliminary data from our group suggest that five days of prolonged fasting substantially increase fat oxidation during exercise, providing a rationale for investigating whether fasting and exercise may have complementary effects on mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility.
Based on this rationale, the main hypothesis of EMPOWER-BAT is that iBAT in postmenopausal women presents mitochondrial dysfunction and that aerobic exercise, five-day prolonged fasting, and their combination can improve mitochondrial function through lactate-related signaling pathways, leading to enhanced whole-body metabolic flexibility. The main objective is to characterize mitochondrial function in iBAT and determine the effects of these interventions on iBAT mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility.
EMPOWER-BAT is a randomized controlled trial involving 60 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m². Participants will be randomized (1:1:1:1) into four groups: a control group maintaining its usual lifestyle; an aerobic exercise group performing supervised exercise for 60-90 minutes at 65% of heart rate reserve; a prolonged fasting group following a medically supervised fasting protocol providing approximately 600 kcal/day; or a combined group completing both exercise and fasting. All interventions will last five consecutive days.
Before and after the intervention, iBAT biopsies will be collected from the dorsocervical region to assess mitochondrial function and adipocyte characteristics. Metabolic and physiological assessments will include indirect calorimetry at rest and during exercise, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and blood and urine biomarkers. Continuous glucose and ketone monitoring will also be performed during the intervention. Four weeks later, metabolic and physiological assessments will be repeated to determine whether changes in metabolic flexibility are maintained after participants return to their usual lifestyle.
Type d'étude
Type d'étude
Inscription (Estimé)
Inscription
Phase
Phase
- N'est pas applicable
Contacts et emplacements
Coordonnées de l'étude
Coordonnées de l'étude
- Nom: Borja Martínez Téllez, PhD
- Numéro de téléphone: +34 950215334
- E-mail: borjammt@ual.es
Lieux d'étude
-
-
Almería
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Almería, Almería, Espagne, 04131
- Universidad de Almería
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-
Critères de participation
Critère d'éligibilité
Critère d'éligibilité
Âges éligibles pour étudier
Accepte les volontaires sains
Sexes éligibles pour l'étude
La description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women aged 45 to 65 years.
- Postmenopausal status, defined as ≥ 12 consecutive months without menstruation.
- Women with amenorrhea shorter than 12 months will be included if their follicle-stimulating hormone levels are >30IU/liter.
- BMI between ≥25 kg/m2.
- Sedentary or low-active (not meeting physical activity guidelines).
- Willing to be randomized to any of the four groups.
- Able and willing to adhere to all study procedures and show availabity in their schedule.
- Must be willing to have biological samples stored for future research.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diabetes mellitus (determined based on fasting glucose levels defined by ADA criteria).
- Any other active endocrine disease (thyroid disease, any signs of Cushing's syndrome, adrenal disease and lipid-associated disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia).
- Any cardiac disease (i.e., ischemic cardiac disease, arrhythmias, severe heart failure).
- Use of medication known to influence glucose and/or lipid metabolism or brown fat activity (e.g., beta-blockers, antidepressants, corticosteroids).
- Current or recent (past 6 months) use of hormone replacement therapy, including systemic estrogen therapy (oral or transdermal), combined estrogen-progestin therapy, tibolone, or selective estrogen receptor modulators.
- Clinically relevant abnormalities in clinical chemistry or electrocardiogram at screening (to be judged by the study physician).
- A first-degree family member with sudden cardiac death.
- Any chronic renal or hepatic disease.
- Abuse of alcohol or other substances.
Plan d'étude
Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?
Détails de conception
- Objectif principal: Science basique
- Répartition: Randomisé
- Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
- Masquage: Seul
Nombre de bras
Armes et Interventions
Groupe de participants / BrasGroupe de participants / Bras |
Intervention / TraitementIntervention / Traitement |
|---|---|
|
Aucune intervention: Control
n=15; maintaining their usual lifestyle without changes to diet or physical activity; Total 5 days |
|
|
Expérimental: Aerobic exercise
n=15; receiving supervised aerobic exercise for 60-90 minutes/day at 65% of heart rate reserve; Total 5 days |
Participants will perform supervised aerobic exercise for 60-90 minutes per day at 65% of heart rate reserve on 5 consecutive days. |
|
Expérimental: Prolonged fasting
n=15; following a prolonged fasting protocol providing approximately 600 kcal/day; Total 5 days |
Participants will follow a medically supervised prolonged fasting protocol providing approximately 600 kcal/day for five consecutive days. |
|
Expérimental: Aerobic exercise + prolonged fasting
n=15; receiving supervised aerobic exercise for 60-90 minutes/day at 65% of heart rate reserve and prolonged fasting providing approximately 600 kcal/day; Total 5 days |
Participants will perform supervised aerobic exercise for 60-90 minutes per day at 65% of heart rate reserve on 5 consecutive days. Participants will follow a medically supervised prolonged fasting protocol providing approximately 600 kcal/day for five consecutive days. |
Que mesure l'étude ?
Principaux critères de jugement
Principaux critères de jugement
Mesure des résultats |
Description de la mesure |
Délai |
|---|---|---|
|
iBAT adipocyte composition and gene expression (snRNA-seq)
Délai: 1 week
|
Change in adipocyte subpopulations and gene expression in dorsocervical iBAT assessed by single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) |
1 week
|
Mesures de résultats secondaires
Mesures de résultats secondaires
Mesure des résultats |
Description de la mesure |
Délai |
|---|---|---|
|
iBAT mitochondrial respiration (Oroboros O2k).
Délai: 1 week
|
Change in mitochondrial respiration in dorsocervical iBAT assessed by high-resolution respirometry. |
1 week
|
|
iBAT protein expression (Western blot)
Délai: 1 week
|
Change in protein expression in dorsocervical iBAT assessed by Western blot, including markers related to thermogenesis and mitochondrial function. |
1 week
|
|
Total Body Fat Mass
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in total body fat mass (kg) from baseline, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). |
5 weeks
|
|
Body Fat Percentage
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in total body fat percentage (%) from baseline, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). |
5 weeks
|
|
Resting Metabolic Rate
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in resting metabolic rate (kcal/day) from baseline, assessed by indirect calorimetry. |
5 weeks
|
|
Cardiorespiratory Fitness - Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO₂peak)
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change from baseline in peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak; mL/kg/min), assessed during exercise testing with breath-by-breath gas exchange analysis. |
5 weeks
|
|
LDL Cholesterol
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in fasting LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) from baseline, assessed in blood samples. |
5 weeks
|
|
Urinary Urea Nitrogen
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change from baseline in urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) concentration (mg/dL), assessed in urine samples as a marker of protein metabolism. |
5 weeks
|
|
Gut microbiota
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in gut microbiota composition assessed in fecal samples. |
5 weeks
|
|
Fat-Free Mass
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in total fat-free mass (kg) from baseline, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). |
5 weeks
|
|
Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) Fat Mass
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) fat mass (g) from baseline, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). |
5 weeks
|
|
Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue (SAT) Fat Mass
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) fat mass (g) from baseline, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). |
5 weeks
|
|
Fat Oxidation Rate at Rest
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in resting fat oxidation rate (g/min) from baseline, calculated from oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂) measured by indirect calorimetry. |
5 weeks
|
|
Carbohydrate Oxidation Rate at Rest
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in resting carbohydrate oxidation rate (g/min) from baseline, calculated from oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂) measured by indirect calorimetry. |
5 weeks
|
|
HDL Cholesterol
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in fasting HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) from baseline, assessed in blood samples. |
5 weeks
|
|
Fasting Glucose
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) from baseline. |
5 weeks
|
|
Fasting Insulin
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in fasting insulin concentration (µIU/mL) from baseline, assessed in blood samples. |
5 weeks
|
|
Triglycerides
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in fasting triglyceride concentration (mg/dL) from baseline, assessed in blood samples. |
5 weeks
|
|
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change in C-reactive protein concentration (mg/L) from baseline, assessed in blood samples. |
5 weeks
|
|
Fat Oxidation During Exercise
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change from baseline in fat oxidation rate (g/min) during exercise, estimated by indirect calorimetry using a COSMED Quark metabolic cart. |
5 weeks
|
|
Carbohydrate Oxidation During Exercise
Délai: 5 weeks
|
Change from baseline in carbohydrate oxidation rate (g/min) during exercise, estimated by indirect calorimetry using a COSMED Quark metabolic cart. |
5 weeks
|
Collaborateurs et enquêteurs
Parrainer
Parrainer
Collaborateurs
Collaborateurs
Dates d'enregistrement des études
Dates principales de l'étude
Début de l'étude (Estimé)
Début de l'étude
Achèvement primaire (Estimé)
Achèvement primaire
Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)
Achèvement de l'étude
Dates d'inscription aux études
Première soumission
Première soumission
Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Première publication (Réel)
Première publication
Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude
Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)
Dernière mise à jour publiée
Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Dernière vérification
Dernière vérification
Plus d'information
Termes liés à cette étude
Mots clés
Termes MeSH pertinents supplémentaires
Autres numéros d'identification d'étude
Autres numéros d'identification d'étude
- PID2025-173649OB-I00
Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)
Prévoyez-vous de partager les données individuelles des participants (DPI) ?
Délai de partage IPD
5 years after publishing the data
Critères d'accès au partage IPD
Everybody
Type d'informations de prise en charge du partage d'IPD
- PROTOCOLE D'ÉTUDE
- CIF
- RSE
Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude
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