Actively Recruiting
Effect of Weight Loss on Intermuscular Adipose Tissue (IMAT) Signaling
Led by University of Colorado, Denver · Updated on 2026-05-15
70
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Colorado, Denver
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how weight loss affects the molecular signals in intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) in adults with obesity. The main focus is to understand how inflammatory molecules released by IMAT contribute to muscle insulin resistance and inflammation, and how these molecules change after weight loss. This study aims to compare individuals who lose weight with those who do not to see the differences in these molecular signals and related muscle health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a diet weight loss group using low calorie meal replacement shakes or a delayed intervention group with normal feeding. The dietary intervention lasts for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants will undergo body composition measurements, blood tests, muscle strength tests, and thigh muscle biopsies to gather detailed information about changes occurring with or without weight loss. During the study, participants will have their insulin sensitivity, body weight, IMAT content, muscle mass, and muscle strength measured at the start and after 12 weeks. Researchers will monitor these outcomes to evaluate the impact of the diet intervention on muscle and metabolic health. The total participation involves screening visits, the 12-week diet period, and follow-up assessments to compare results between groups.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Weight Loss on Intermuscular Adipose Tissue (IMAT) Signaling
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Generally healthy men and women aged 18 to 70 years
- Body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40
- Exercise less than 1 hour per week
- Women may be pre or post menopausal
You will not qualify if you...
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- History of lung disease
- Active use of nicotine
- Severe plasma lipid disorders
- Taking hormone replacement drugs, blood thinners, or thiazoladinediones
- Women currently going through menopause or peri-menopause
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- History of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants follow a low calorie diet using meal replacement shakes to achieve weight loss.
Weekly visits for up to 12 weeks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Colorado Anschutz
Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Bryan Bergman, PhD
S
Sophia Bowen
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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