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NCT Number: NCT01553968

Effects of Acute Exercise on Acetylcarnitine Concentration in Endurance Trained and Untrained Subjects

It has been suggested that imbalance between TCA-cycle flux and β-oxidation may underlie insulin resistance, a predisposing factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acetylcarnitine concentration is suggested to be a marker of such imbalance. It is expected that when TCA-cycle capacity is high (a high oxidative capacity), less acetylcarnitine will accumulate, because of an improved balance between supply and demand of lipids.

The major research objective is to examine if acute exercise results in a more pronounced increase in acetylcarnitine concentration in sedentary subjects compared to endurance-trained subjects and if the exercise-induced increase in acetylcarnitine is restored more quickly in endurance-trained subjects when compared to sedentary subjects.

The investigators hypothesize that the increase in acetylcarnitine levels will be lower in trained subjects when compared to sedentary subjects, due to a better balance between lipid supply and utilization by the TCA-cycle. Furthermore it is expected that acetylcarnitine concentrations will be restored faster in these trained subjects, because of a tighter regulation of influx of fatty acids.

To test this hypothesis the investigators want to compare the acetylcarnitine response to exercise in a group of sedentary subjects and a group of endurance trained subjects. This response will be measured for 30 minutes after exercise with the use of 1H-MRS.

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Key information

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Maastricht University Medical Center

Maastricht, Limburg, 6202 AZ, Netherlands

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Normal weight (BMI 18-25 kg/m2)
  • Healthy
  • Stable dietary habits
  • No use of medication
  • VO2-max for trained subjects above 50 mL/min/kg
  • VO2-max for untrained subjects below 40 mL/min/kg

Exclusion criteria

  • Any medical condition requiring treatment and/or medication use OR diminishing exercise tolerance
  • Alcohol consumption of more than 20 g per day (± 2 units)
  • Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss > 3 kg in the past three months)
  • Participation in another biomedical study within 1 month prior to the screening visit
  • Contraindications for MRI scan:
  • Central nervous system aneurysm clips
  • Implanted neural stimulator
  • Implanted cardiac pacemaker of defibrillator
  • Cochlear implant
  • Iron- containing corpora aliena in the eye or brain
  • Hearing aids and artificial (heart) valves which is contraindicated for MRS
  • Subjects, who do not want to be informed about unexpected medical findings cannot participate in the study.

Treatment and study plan

Cycling

Other

30 minutes of cycling at 50% of predetermined maximal performance

Primary outcomes

  1. Exercise-induced changes in acetylcarnitine concentrations and dynamics of acetylcarnitine restoration after exercise

    Time frame: During 30 minutes prior to the exercise and for 30 minutes after exercise

    Acetylcarnitine concentration measured with Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Substrate oxidation

    Time frame: Measured during the 30 minutes of exercise

    Measured with indirect calorimetry

  2. Blood plasma free fatty acids

    Time frame: At the start and at the end of 30 minutes of exercise

    Blood sample of 10 mL

  3. Blood plasma triglycerides

    Time frame: At the start and at the end of 30 minutes of exercise

    Blood sample of 10 mL

  4. Blood plasma glucose

    Time frame: At the start and at the end of 30 minutes of exercise

    Blood sample of 10 mL

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Maastricht University Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Mar 14, 2012
Registry last updated
Sep 20, 2016

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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