Clinical Research Directory

Obesity Medicine Bank of the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University (IUCPQ-ULaval)

Obesity medicine, or bariatric medicine, focuses not only on the biological and behavioral aspects, but also on the environmental and social factors that contribute to the development of obesity. Many diseases are associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, numerous cancers, gynecological disorders, etc. Focusing on obesity medicine is crucial for improving patients' quality of life, reducing healthcare costs, and developing effective prevention strategies. The Quebec Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University (IUCPQ-ULaval) maintains a clinical database and biological material bank for studying the multidisciplinary management of obesity and its complications. A biobank is a collection of information, clinical or biochemical data (including radiological, cardiac, and genetic data), and blood samples concerning donors. The information that can be collected includes, for example, age, sex, diagnosis, progression or treatment of a medical condition, medications, DNA, etc. DNA is a molecule present in all cells and contains all the information necessary for the development and functioning of our body. This bank aims to better characterize patients' profile receiving follow-up care in obesity medicine, identify predictive factors of success or failure of interventions and adapt management strategies according to specific needs. The collected data and blood samples will be used in several research projects with the following objectives: 1. To document the socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, radiological, genetic, and biochemical characteristics of patients living with obesity and requiring medical follow-up at the bariatric medicine clinic at the IUCPQ-ULaval 2. To explore the effects or associations of genetic and biochemical determinants on health in the context of obesity 3. To gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology and genes involved in obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities 4. To evaluate the clinical utility of non-invasive biomarkers in the screening of preclinical obesity and its comorbidities and/or 5. To evaluate the effectiveness of medications, health behavior changes, and bariatric surgery in order to develop optimal interventions aimed at improving the health and medical management of people with obesity.

Frequency of MAFLD and Its Association With Nutritional Status and Metabolic Risk Factors in a Rural Population of Bangladesh

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an increasingly recognized cause of chronic liver disease and is closely linked with obesity, metabolic abnormalities, and nutritional status. Data on the frequency of MAFLD and its associated metabolic and nutritional factors in rural populations of Bangladesh are not up to date. This study aims to determine the frequency of MAFLD and to evaluate its association with nutritional status and metabolic risk factors among adults in a rural population of Bangladesh. Eligible participants will undergo clinical assessment, anthropometric measurements, laboratory evaluation of metabolic parameters, and abdominal ultrasonography for the detection of hepatic steatosis. Nutritional status will be assessed using standard anthropometric and clinical criteria. The findings of this study are expected to provide baseline epidemiological data on MAFLD in rural Bangladesh and to help identify associated metabolic and nutritional risk factors.

High Phenolic Olive Oil for Enhancing Metabolic Health: a Randomized-controlled Trial in Patients With cEntral Obesity (HOPE)

Olive oil is a fundamental component of the Mediterranean diet and a major source of monounsaturated fatty acids with well-established cardioprotective properties. When rich in phenolic compounds-such as hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, oleocanthal, oleacein, and ligstroside aglycone-it is considered a functional food with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, chemoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. According to EU Regulation 432/2012, daily consumption of 20 g of extra virgin olive oil containing at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol derivatives (250 mg/kg) contributes to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress and qualifies for a health claim. Overweight/obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation, is strongly associated with non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders. Chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are key mechanisms underlying obesity-related metabolic disorders. Although dietary energy restriction remains the primary approach for weight management, growing research interest focuses on natural products rich in phenolic compounds as potential modulators of molecular pathways involved in central obesity. However, robust clinical evidence in humans with central obesity and metabolic abnormalities remains limited. Therefore, this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of extra virgin, high-phenolic olive oil (HPOO) compared with low-phenolic olive oil (LPOO) in adults with overweight/obesity with metabolic abnormalities. Participants will consume the assigned olive oil type (HPOO or LPOO) for eight weeks. At baseline and trial endpoint (8 weeks), data collection will include anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, biochemical indices, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in blood samples, hormones, bioavailability of phenolic compounds, as well as lifestyle parameters i.e., health-related quality of life, physical activity levels, sleep quality. Ethical approval, informed consent, and data protection procedures will be strictly followed. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS software (SPSS Inc, ΙΒΜ, Chicago, IL, USA). The study is anticipated to explore whether consumption of high-phenolic olive oil favorably modulates markers related to obesity and metabolic abnormalities, while also improving nutritional status and quality-of-life parameters.

Efficacy of Pediococcus Acidilactici as add-on to Antipsychotic Drugs on Metabolic Syndrome Disturbances in First-episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. A Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the addition of the postbiotic Pediococcus acidilactici (pA1c®HI) on amelioration of metabolic disturbances in patients with (FEP) or (SSD) treated with antipsychotic drugs.