Clinical Research Directory

Exercise and Taurine Supplementation on Intramuscular Fat in Older Women With Obesity

This randomized clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of multicomponent concurrent exercise training associated or not with taurine supplementation on intramuscular fat infiltration, physical performance, transcriptomic profile, and metabolomic profile in older women with obesity. Forty women aged 60 to 75 years with obesity will be randomized into four groups: control, exercise, taurine, and exercise plus taurine. The intervention will last 16 weeks. Outcomes include magnetic resonance imaging, body composition, muscle biopsy, blood biomarkers, functional capacity tests, transcriptomic analysis, and metabolomic analysis.

Semaglutide for Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and obesity is a major risk factor for its development. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Semaglutide have emerged as effective weight loss agents that may also reduce chronic pain through weight reduction and other mechanisms. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will enroll 250 adults with chronic low back pain and obesity, randomized 1:1 to weekly Semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary outcome is change in low back pain severity, with secondary outcomes including pain-related disability and quality of life.

Interplay of Central and Peripheral Vascular Effects of Insulin in Obesity

Determine the impact of obesity with insulin resistance on the neurovascular response to brain insulin stimulation.

Impact of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) in Obese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)-induced weight loss can improve glycemic outcomes and alter the trajectory toward insulin dependence in adults with obesity and inadequately controlled Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) despite guideline-directed therapy, including Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA)-based agents.

Plasma Taurine in Older Women With Obesity: Impact of Metabolic Phenotype and Combined Exercise

Population aging has been accompanied by a rise in obesity and other chronic diseases, increasing cardiovascular risk particularly among women, who exhibit a higher prevalence in older age groups compared to men. Aging and obesity share pathophysiological mechanisms, such as chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, distinct obesity phenotypes exist, such as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Consequently, therapeutic interventions involving nutritional strategies and physical training are highly relevant, especially for older women. Taurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, plays a role in modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, osmoregulation, and mitochondrial function. Rationale: Plasma taurine concentrations are lower in women with obesity compared to healthy individuals. However, studies investigating these concentrations across different phenotypes-particularly in older women, a group susceptible to functional and metabolic changes-remain limited. Understanding these variations could clarify taurine's role in the pathophysiology of obesity and aging and inform personalized therapeutic strategies. Combined physical training stands out as an effective strategy for modulating inflammatory, oxidative, and metabolic pathways, in addition to improving psychosocial aspects. Given that taurine levels can be influenced by these pathways, investigating the taurine response to physical training across different metabolic phenotypes may contribute to developing low-cost interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for older women with obesity.

Impact of Exercise Prescription on Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of structured physical activity with smartwatch remote monitoring on glycemic control, blood pressure control, obstetric complications and neonatal outcomes in women with GDM, chronic hypertension and obesity. A prospective, longitudinal, single-arm intervention study with 310 pregnant women was conducted over a period of 18 months. Participants received individualized exercise prescriptions based on international guidelines, complemented by smartwatch monitoring and regular telephonic feedback. Outcomes were compared between subgroups of women who adhere to the recommended exercise guidelines and those who did not, across three high-risk populations (GDM, chronic hypertension and obesity).

OBEDIAM: Therapeutic Patient Education in Adults Living With Obesity, Diabetes, and Metabolic Disorders

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the acceptability and feasibility of a therapeutic patient education program in adults living with an obesity. The main question it aims to answer is: Is the intervention of therapeutic patient education acceptable for patients living with an obesity? Participants will answer questionnaires and participate to focus groups before and up to nine months after the intervention.

Postoperative Cognitive Function After Different Anesthetic Techniques in Obese Patients

Obese patients are at increased risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The effects of different anesthetic techniques on postoperative cognitive function remain controversial. This prospective randomized study aimed to compare the effects of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia, normal-flow sevoflurane anesthesia, and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on postoperative cognitive function and recovery characteristics in obese patients undergoing elective laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before surgery, at postoperative 30 minutes, and on postoperative day 3.

Combined Training (Strength and Endurance) and the Serum Levels of Myostatin and Hormone-sensitive Lipase in Overweight and Obese Men

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of upper body-based and lower body-based combined training on serum levels of myostatin (MSTN) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in overweight and obese men. Myostatin is a myokine involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth and adipose tissue metabolism, while HSL is a key enzyme involved in lipolysis and fat mobilization. Thirty-six overweight and obese men were assigned to either an upper body combined training group, a lower body combined training group, or a non-exercising control group. The intervention consisted of 10 weeks of combined resistance and aerobic training performed three times per week. Serum levels of MSTN and HSL were measured before and after the intervention to determine whether upper body-focused and lower body-focused combined training produce different effects on markers associated with muscle growth and lipid metabolism.

Machine Learning Prediction of Respiratory Muscle Changes and Ventilatory Responses After Incretin-Based Therapy in Obesity

This study aims to evaluate changes in respiratory function, respiratory muscle performance, and ventilatory responses following incretin-based therapy in individuals with obesity, and to identify predictors of these changes through the application of machine learning methods.

Workplace Intervention Including Exercise and Nutrition in Obese Office Workers

The main objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a 6-month workplace combined (exercise and nutrition) intervention in obese office workers, using a randomized controlled study. An additional objective of this study is to evaluate the individual responses per participant following the program.

Assess the Effects of Replacing Foods High in Refined Carbohydrates With Avocado on Biomarkers of Inflammation.

The objective of this trial is to assess the effects of replacing foods high in refined carbohydrates, particularly added sugars, with avocado (isocaloric substitution) on biomarkers of inflammation and insulin sensitivity in adults with elevated hs-CRP and central adiposity. Eligible participants will complete two 4-week interventions (1 avocado/d and control) separated by a 2-week washout phase. Participants will complete a total of 7 clinic visits including one screening visit (visit 1, -7 days), one baseline visit (visit 2, day 0), two visits during each 4-week diet condition (visit 3 \& 6 on day 21 and visits 4 \& 7 on day 28), and one visit at the conclusion of the washout phase/start of the second condition (visit 5, day 0).

Comparison Between the Health Effects of an AI-driven Model With Those of Human Professional Guidelines for the Treatment of Obesity

Many non-communicable diseases are diet-related and have a significant impact on public health. It is stated that global dietary shifts are needed to change disease patterns, highlighting the importance of nutrition in addressing public health issues, such as obesity. The field of nutrition has been dependent on clinical and observational studies; however, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming these approaches. ChatGPT may be used to provide dietary recommendations due to its high speed, extensive access to a variety of meal data, and low complexity. However, initial evaluations have shown that ChatGPT may be inaccurate in terms of safety and reliability, and traditional nutrition approaches are highly reliant on experts' knowledge and the validity of nutritional guidelines. It has been suggested that AI in nutrition may be beneficial; however, further investigations are needed. Our proposal aims to fill the represented critical evidence gaps. The study aims to compare the health effects of an AI-driven model with those of human professional guidelines for the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, investigators seek better strategies to utilize AI, if appropriate, for weight loss and other health benefits.