Clinical Research Directory

Breath Mass Spectrometry in Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolically Healthy Obesity

This study aims to develop a non-invasive diagnostic method for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) through analysis of exhaled air. Using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry combined with machine learning algorithms, we will characterize volatile organic compound profiles in 300 participants across three groups: MetS patients, MHO patients, and healthy controls. The primary goal is to create and validate a classification model capable of accurately differentiating these metabolic states based on breath analysis.

Impact of Supplemental Fiber on Gut and Vascular Health Related in Obesity Phenotypes

Based on prior research, the investigators are interested in whether an intervention targeting gut health (supplemental fiber for 9 weeks total) will improve vascular health in individuals with obesity. Additionally, the investigators are interested in if this response differs based on whether individuals with obesity have very few heart disease risk factors or several heart disease risk factors.

Small Extracellular Vesicles and Insulin Action

The goals of this research study are to: 1) understand why some people with obesity are protected from developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease while others are more likely to develop obesity-related conditions; 2) assess the effect of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs also called exosomes), obtained from human participants, on metabolic function in cultured cells and in mice.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity Increases the Risks of MASLD and Hyperuricemia

Although metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is often considered a relatively benign obesity, its association with the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hyperuricemia remains unclear. This study examined the associations between MHO and other metabolic-obesity phenotypes with MASLD and hyperuricemia, and explored the mediating roles of metabolic indicators.This study included 11,712 and 13,846 participants from a health examination cohort at the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University for MASLD and hyperuricemia analyses, respectively. Participants were classified into four metabolic-obesity phenotypes, with MHO defined as obesity without metabolic syndrome components. The outcomes were MASLD and hyperuricemia. Cox regression and mediation analyses were conducted to assess associations and mediating effects.