Reduced metabolic efficiency in sedentary eucaloric conditions predicts greater weight regain in adults with obesity following sustained weight loss.
Tim Hollstein, Sascha Heinitz, Alessio Basolo...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33479452Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 40Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID06134258
Mechanisms of Fasting Induced Reduction in Energy Expenditure - FIRE Trial
Led by ETH Zurich · Updated on 2025-05-30
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
E
ETH Zurich
Lead Sponsor
U
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how the body's metabolism adapts to fasting by studying changes in the basal metabolic rate, which varies significantly among individuals. The project first measures the body's metabolic response to a 24-hour fast in a preliminary study. Participants showing either a strong or weak metabolic response will then be invited to the main study to further explore these differences and the role of thyroid hormones in this adaptation. In the main study, participants undergo two fasting periods in random order: one lasting 24 hours and another lasting 12 hours. After each fasting period, researchers measure how the basal metabolic rate responds to reduced energy intake and how energy metabolism changes after a mixed meal test. Additionally, samples of subcutaneous fat tissue are taken to examine cellular-level metabolic regulation. Participants will be involved in fasting sessions followed by metabolic assessments including indirect calorimetry to measure energy expenditure, blood tests for thyroid hormone levels, and respiratory quotient measurements. The main outcome is the change in energy expenditure 60 minutes after the test meal. The study includes a preliminary screening phase and a main randomized phase, with safety monitored throughout. Participation involves multiple visits and metabolic testing over the course of the study.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Mechanisms of Fasting Induced Reduction in Energy Expenditure
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 40Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 40 years
- Body mass index between 18.0 and 27.0 kg/m²
You will not qualify if you...
- Chronic medical conditions requiring treatment such as kidney failure, liver dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes mellitus
- Known or suspected drug or alcohol abuse
- Inability to follow study procedures
- Participation in another investigational drug study within 30 days before or during this study
- Previous participation in this study
- Investigator, family members, employees, or dependents enrolled
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or menopausal women
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Intervention Period
Duration - Short-term periods corresponding to each fasting duration
Participants undergo two fasting periods of 12 hours and 24 hours in a randomized crossover design, followed by a mixed meal test after fasting.
2 visits (in-person), one after each fasting period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
M
Matthias Betz
R
Rahel Loeliger
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Lower core body temperature and greater body fat are components of a human thrifty phenotype.
M Reinhardt, M Schlögl, S Bonfiglio...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26499440Energy Expenditure Responses to Fasting and Overfeeding Identify Phenotypes Associated With Weight Change.
Mathias Schlögl, Paolo Piaggi, Nicola Pannacciuli...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26185280Free Thyroxine Levels are Associated with Cold Induced Thermogenesis in Healthy Euthyroid Individuals.
Claudia Irene Maushart, Jaël Rut Senn, Rahel Catherina Loeliger...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34194392Metabolic Slowing and Reduced Oxidative Damage with Sustained Caloric Restriction Support the Rate of Living and Oxidative Damage Theories of Aging.
Leanne M Redman, Steven R Smith, Jeffrey H Burton...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29576535Loss of UCP1 function augments recruitment of futile lipid cycling for thermogenesis in murine brown fat.
Josef Oeckl, Petra Janovska, Katerina Adamcova...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35470094Daily energy expenditure through the human life course.
Herman Pontzer, Yosuke Yamada, Hiroyuki Sagayama...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34385400