Fat Tissue Microperfusion to Measure Leptin Secretion and Its Relations With Fat Breakdown in Humans

Completed

Conditions studied: Healthy, Obesity

In brief

Leptin is a hormone that acts in the body as a chemical messenger. It is produced in fat cells and is believed to regulate body weight in humans. Leptin decreases appetite and influences the energy balance of the body. This study will attempt to measure levels of leptin production in the fat pad of the body by using a process called microperfusion. Microperfusion works by inserting 2 to 3 probes (thin tubes) into the fat pad around the belly button. These probes can measure chemicals in an area known as the extracellular space. This is the small space between cells and blood vessels that hormones, medicines, nutrients, and salts travel through. The study will investigate the effects of a meal, insulin, glucose (sugar), and the medication isoproterenol on leptin levels. Researchers believe that leptin levels are regulated along with the enzyme, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL). When hormone sensitive lipase is activated fat is broken down in a process called lipolysis. In addition, increased levels of HSL result in decreased levels of leptin, which in turn increases appetite and food intake.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00001722

Run by

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

People needed

70

Starts

1998-04-01

Expected to finish

2003-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2008-03-04

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Healthy subjects ages 18 to 50 years.
• Healthy volunteers studied as outpatients.

You may not qualify if…

• Minors (less than 18 years of age)
• Subjects taking any medication on a regular basis.
• Individuals with hepatic, renal, HPA axis or thyroid dysfunction.
• Very lean individuals (defined as a body mass index less than 19).
• Smokers.
• Pregnant or lactating woman.
• Individuals with allergies to teflon, polyethylene or skin tape.
• Individuals with known allergy to isoproterenol.
• Individuals unable to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee for 18 hours prior and during the study.

Where it is running

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) — Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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