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Exercise and Prolonged Fasting to Improve Brown Adipose Tissue Function in Postmenopausal Women (EMPOWER-BAT)

17 septembre 2026 mis à jour par: Borja Martínez Tellez, Universidad de Almeria

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

Pas encore de recrutement

Les conditions

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

Interventionnel

Inscription (Estimé)

60

Phase

  • N'est pas applicable

Contacts et emplacements

Cette section fournit les coordonnées de ceux qui mènent l'étude et des informations sur le lieu où cette étude est menée.

Coordonnées de l'étude

  • Nom: Borja Martínez Téllez, PhD
  • Numéro de téléphone: +34 950215334
  • E-mail: borjammt@ual.es

Lieux d'étude

    • Almería
      • Almería, Almería, Espagne, 04131
        • Universidad de Almería

Critères de participation

Les chercheurs recherchent des personnes qui correspondent à une certaine description, appelée critères d'éligibilité. Certains exemples de ces critères sont l'état de santé général d'une personne ou des traitements antérieurs.

Critère d'éligibilité

Âges éligibles pour étudier

45 ans à 65 ans (Adulte, Adulte plus âgé)

Accepte les volontaires sains

Oui

Sexes éligibles pour l'étude

Femelle

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

Cette section fournit des détails sur le plan d'étude, y compris la façon dont l'étude est conçue et ce que l'étude mesure.

Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?

Détails de conception

  • Objectif principal: Science basique
  • Répartition: Randomisé
  • Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
  • Masquage: Seul

Armes et Interventions

Groupe de participants / Bras
Intervention / 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

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

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

C'est ici que vous trouverez les personnes et les organisations impliquées dans cette étude.

Parrainer

Collaborateurs

Dates d'enregistrement des études

Ces dates suivent la progression des dossiers d'étude et des soumissions de résultats sommaires à ClinicalTrials.gov. Les dossiers d'étude et les résultats rapportés sont examinés par la Bibliothèque nationale de médecine (NLM) pour s'assurer qu'ils répondent à des normes de contrôle de qualité spécifiques avant d'être publiés sur le site Web public.

Dates principales de l'étude

Début de l'étude (Estimé)

1 septembre 2027

Achèvement primaire (Estimé)

1 septembre 2029

Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)

1 septembre 2029

Dates d'inscription aux études

Première soumission

9 septembre 2026

Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

17 septembre 2026

Première publication (Réel)

23 septembre 2026

Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude

Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)

23 septembre 2026

Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

17 septembre 2026

Dernière vérification

1 septembre 2026

Plus d'information

Termes liés à cette 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) ?

OUI

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

Étudie un produit pharmaceutique réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Étudie un produit d'appareil réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Ces informations ont été extraites directement du site Web clinicaltrials.gov sans aucune modification. Si vous avez des demandes de modification, de suppression ou de mise à jour des détails de votre étude, veuillez contacter register@clinicaltrials.gov. Dès qu'un changement est mis en œuvre sur clinicaltrials.gov, il sera également mis à jour automatiquement sur notre site Web .