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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02790255

BRown Fat Activity Measurement With Infrared imaginG tHermography andThermogenesis - the BRIGHT Study

The whole body calorimeter is sensitive enough to reliably measure cold-induced thermogenesis as a surrogate marker of brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation.

The infrared (IR) energy flux from activated BAT can be accurately imaged and quantified using an IR imaging device, and that this IR energy output may be correlated to the increased energy expenditure quantified by the whole body calorimeter.

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Key information

Conditions

Energy Expenditure Adipose Tissue, Brown Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

21 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

The recent rediscovery of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in healthy adults has opened up the exciting possibility of manipulating BAT for obesity management, and it is imperative to develop BAT imaging modalities that are non-invasive and safe for repeated use. Given that heat is a specific end-product of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1)-mediated BAT, this study examines whether surface body temperature assessed using infrared (IR) thermography can be a non-invasive measure to accurately and precisely predict brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation upon cold stimulation, which involves verifying an semi-automated method for characterizing thermal images. In addition, this study also aims to validate the use of a whole-body calorimeter to pick up changes in energy expenditure upon cold-induced thermogenesis. Lean, healthy male volunteers will be recruited. Thermal imaging of cervical-supraclavicular BAT will be done using an IR camera to assess changes in BAT activation. Blood samples will also be drawn at regular intervals to track changes in serum metabolites upon BAT activation. All in all, this study hopes to provide more supporting evidence that IR thermography is a viable imaging modality that is non-invasive, safe and reproducible of studying BAT activity.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male
  • Ethnic Chinese
  • Age between 21 to 35 years
  • Body Mass Index 18.5 to 22.9
  • Normal resting blood pressure ~120/80 mmHg
  • Normal fasting blood glucose level <5.5 mmol/L

Exclusion criteria

  • Do not train for or partake in competitive sports
  • Do not have any major diseases
  • Not on any prescribed medication

Treatment and study plan

Cold air

Other

Cold water

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. Temperature at cervical-supraclavicular region

    Time frame: 45 minutes cold exposure

    The temperature at the cervical-supraclavicular region following cold exposure will be determined using infrared thermal imaging.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Energy expenditure during cold exposure

    Time frame: 45 minutes cold exposure

    Energy expenditure during cold exposure will be determined using the whole-body calorimeter.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation

Other Gov

Collaborators

  • Institute for Infocomm Research

Registry information

Official study title

BRown Fat Activity Measurement With Infrared imaginG tHermography and Thermogenesis - the BRIGHT Study

Acronym: BRIGHT

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jun 3, 2016
Registry last updated
May 15, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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