Clinical Research Directory

GENESIS: Genotype Guided - Natriuretic Peptides - Cardiometabolic Health Study

Natriuretic Peptides (NP) are hormones produced by the heart, and they have a wide range of favorable metabolic benefits. Lower levels of these hormones are associated with an increased likelihood of the development of diabetes and poor cardiometabolic health. Obese and Black individuals have \~30% lower levels of NP and are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) events as compared to lean and White counterparts. Some people have common genetic variations that cause them to have \~20% lower NP levels. Similar to other low NP populations, these individuals with low NP genotype (i.e., carrying a common genetic variation called rs5068) are at a greater risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. By understanding the NP response following the exercise challenge and the glucose challenge in individuals with genetically lower NP levels will help us understand how to improve cardiometabolic health in them.

Effect of Resistance Exercise on Energy Balance and Appetite Regulation in Males and Females

There is growing evidence that males and females may exhibit different acute responses and long-term adaptations to exercise training. Accordingly, contemporary exercise physiology research increasingly recognizes sex as an important biological variable that may influence appetite regulation and energy balance. This year's project aims to investigate: (1) appetite regulation and energy balance following acute resistance exercise, and (2) potential sex-based differences in appetite regulation and energy balance in response to resistance exercise. Understanding both the overall effects of resistance exercise and sex-related variability in these responses is important for improving the physiological interpretation of exercise-induced changes in appetite and energy balance. Such knowledge may help to reduce heterogeneity in exercise research findings and support the development of more precise, evidence-based exercise prescriptions that are applicable to both males and females.

Effects of Acute Sleep Deprivation on Health

This study will investigate whether various types of regular exercise can provide protective effects against metabolic abnormalities induced by sleep restriction. It will examine responses related to metabolic health, cognitive function, energy expenditure, subjective feelings, and human behaviors, including physical activity and energy intake.

Effects of Intermittent Running on Metabolic Health

The purpose of this study is to investigate the suitability of intermittent exercise of long and short intervals at lower intensities than HIIE on energy expenditure during and post-exercise compared to MICE, as well as determine whether similar or greater effects can be achieved for glycemic control in recreationally active adults.

VITAL-IMPACT: Improving Cardiometabolic Health in Black Individuals Through Therapeutic Augmentation of Cyclic Guanosine Mono-Phosphate Signaling Pathway

This study investigates the potential of vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, to improve cardiometabolic health in obese Black individuals with insulin resistance by directly enhancing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) activity. Given that this population has been shown to have lower cGMP activity and the association of lower cGMP activity with increased cardiometabolic disease risk, the proposed study hypothesizes that augmenting cGMP activity in obese individuals will improve insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure. This study is a placebo-controlled randomized trial involving 200 Black obese participants with insulin resistance, assessing the effects of vericiguat on insulin sensitivity, resting, and exercise-induced energy expenditure over 12 weeks. Additionally, it will explore changes in brown adipose tissue and gene expression related to energy metabolism in white adipose tissue, aiming to provide insights into how increasing cGMP activity may improve cardiometabolic health in Black obese individuals.

Studying Phenotypic Risks for Obesity and Underlying Traits in Young Infants

The purpose of this research study is to understand how infants metabolize different meals and to develop clinical tools which identify infants as having two different phenotypes. The phenotypes are the 1) metabolic "thriftiness" and 2) the metabolic flexibility.

Sources and Mechanisms of Energy Compensation

Excess energy, obesity and obesity-related diseases are important global health issues. Although it is known that obesity is an issue of energy balance, the components of energy expenditure seem to be inter-related in complex non-additive ways. The aim of this study is to explore the downstream impacts of exercise on short term changes in both expenditure and energy intake. The primary question the investigators are asking is whether moderate to high intensity exercise influences the basal energy expenditure and/or energy intake/macronutrient preference in young adult males? (A similar study will be performed on females in a different registration). The investigators will use a specially designed feeding table to measure energy intake and macronutrient intake, which is easy to quantify intake compensation. Basal metabolism will be measured by hood indirect calorimetry. The investigators will explore the factors that influence the level of compensation in expenditure and intake, in particular body composition. Participants will be asked to come to the lab after 10 hours fast for body composition tests including Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA), Magnetic Resonance Image(MRI) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis(BIA). They will then be asked (not) to do 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise after an energy-limiting breakfast, during which metabolic rate levels and changes in dietary composition will be recorded by gas exchange and standardized buffet. In addition, participants' subjective hunger and preferences will also be recorded by questionnaires. Venous blood will be collected to measure metabolic and hormone factors, blood glucose will be measured by Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor (CGM).

NAUTICAL: Effect of Natriuretic Peptide Augmentation on Cardiometabolic Health in Black Individuals

Black individuals are more likely to have decreased insulin sensitivity which results in a high risk for the development of cardiometabolic disease. The reasons for this are incompletely understood. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are hormones produced by the heart that play a role in regulating the metabolic health of an individual. Low circulating level of NPs is an important contributor to increased risk for diabetes. The NP levels are relatively lower among Black individuals thus affecting their metabolic health and putting them at a higher risk for diabetes. This study aims to test the hypothesis that by augmenting NP levels using sacubitril/valsartan, among Black Individuals one can improve their metabolic health (as measured by insulin sensitivity \& energy expenditure) and help establish the role of NPs in the underlying mechanism behind increased risk for cardiometabolic disease in these population.

Brown Fat Activation and Browning Efficiency Augmented by Chronic Cold and Nutraceuticals for Brown Adipose Tissue-mediated Effect Against Metabolic Syndrome (BEACON BEAMS Study)

Our body fat (adipose tissue) is largely made up of white adipose tissue (WAT) that stores surplus energy as white fat depots. In addition, adult humans have another type of fat similar to the brown fat in babies that burns up fat to generate heat for maintenance of body temperature during cold exposure. Adults have much lesser amounts of such brown adipose tissue (BAT), most of which are located within the sides of the neck and under the skin above the collar bones as well as along the sides of the spine. BAT consists of both classical brown fat identical to that found in babies as well as beige fat (composed of brown-in-white or 'brite' fat cells) found mainly in adults. Both types of BAT burn fat upon activation by various stimuli such as cold or by substances like curcumin found in turmeric ginger rhizome root. This study is carried out to find out the effects of cold stimulation and/or a known BAT-activating nutraceutical among those overweight/obese people suffering from metabolic syndrome.

The Impact of Daily Intake of Short-chain Fatty Acids on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Individuals at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

During this study, the effect of short-chain fatty acids on blood lipaedemia, glycemia, anthropometrics, blood pressure and energy expenditure will be investigated.

Resting Energy Expenditure in Postmenopausal Women

Obesity and its associated comorbidities are rising at an alarming rate, particularly among postmenopausal women. Menopause, characterized by a decline in estradiol and progesterone levels, is often accompanied by weight gain. Fear of this weight gain is a major reason why many women hesitate to initiate or continue menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), with discontinuation often occurring within the first few months. However, scientific evidence on whether MHT influences weight gain remains inconclusive. A Cochrane Review found no significant effect of estrogen or combined estrogen-progestogen therapy on menopause-related weight gain, suggesting that aging and lifestyle changes play a more prominent role. While the effects of estrogen on energy intake have been well-documented, data on its impact on energy expenditure-particularly resting energy expenditure (REE), the largest component of total energy expenditure-are scarce. Several studies suggest that sex hormones may influence REE, as observed in premenopausal women, where REE increases during the luteal phase when estradiol and progesterone levels are high. However, findings on this topic remain inconsistent, and it is unclear whether estrogen or progesterone plays the primary role. Research on the effects of exogenous hormone administration, such as MHT, on REE is extremely limited, with existing studies producing mixed results. Additionally, the potential influence of progestogens on REE has been largely overlooked. Given that a low REE is a strong predictor of weight gain and obesity, understanding the effects of MHT on REE is crucial. This observational clinical trial aims to investigate the precise effect of MHT (estradiol + progesterone) on REE in postmenopausal women with an indication for MHT. Secondary objectives include examining MHT's impact on energy intake, physical activity energy expenditure, performance capacity, body composition, core body temperature, serum hormone profiles (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone), glucose metabolism, fasting blood lipid levels, and miRNA expression (miR-370 and miR-29b, which are involved in lipid and glucose metabolism). Additionally, the study will assess various aspects of subjective well-being and quality of life. By addressing the current gaps in scientific knowledge, this study seeks to provide robust evidence on the role of MHT in energy metabolism, potentially reshaping perspectives on its risks and benefits in postmenopausal women.

The ENERGYCO Study

The aims of this school-based cycling intervention called "ENERGY Commuting to school" (ENERGYCO) will be divided into two phases: Phase I will aim: 1) to design, test, and validate predictive equations for the objective quantification of the energy expenditure related to different modes of commuting to school (i.e., walking, cycling, motorized-vehicle); and 2) to quantify the energy expenditure of each mode of commuting to school using indirect calorimetry in adolescents; and Phase II will aim to evaluate the effect of a school-based cycling intervention on different health-related outcomes, such as energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate, basal metabolism, physical activity levels, body composition, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure, physical literacy, motor competence, and psychosocial outcomes on Spanish adolescents.

The Energy Cost of 1-Hour Football Training

This study aims at investigating the energy expenditure following a single Football trainning session in middle aged males. The participants will perform a soccer training session \[A single training session including 60 minutes of warm up, soccer technical exercises and small-sided game\] and a cotrol trial (No intervention included, only daily measurements) in randomized, repeated measures, crossover design.