Effects of Cross-sex Hormone Therapy on Eating Behavior, Metabolism, Energy Balance and Cardiovascular System
Recruiting now
Conditions studied: Transsexualism, Transgenderism, Adiposity, Eating Behavior, Arterial Stiffness, Microangiopathy
In brief
Current study aims to characterize five highly interconnected physiological systems in patients undergoing cross-sex hormone therapy - namely glucose and lipid metabolism, energy balance, eating behavior, functional brain networks involved in the regulation of eating behavior and the cardiovascular system - to gain novel insights into the effects of sex hormones on the human body. Gathered information will help to identify pathophysiological mechanisms for the development of overeating/obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Secondarily, the relationships between the gut and oral microbiomes and metabolomes and circulating bacterial signatures will be investigated in relation to the other pervasive physiological systems. Current study is an observational study. The decision if the patient's request for cross-sex hormone therapy can complied with (i.e., if cross-sex hormone therapy is medically indicated) is made prior to the first contact with the study center and with the outpatients clinic for Endocrinology at the University Hospital in Leipzig. Decision ifor treatment is made according to national and international guidelines. Treatment of study participants with testosterone and estradiol/antiandrogens is not affected by the study. During the course of the study no invasive interventions are being performed.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT04838249
- Run by
- University of Leipzig
- People needed
- 80
- Starts
- 2021-05-05
- Expected to finish
- 2026-05-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2025-12-05
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- transsexual patients undergoing cross-sex hormone therapy versus controls
- able to give informed consent, if <18 years from all legal guardians
- only for part B (patients will participate in all other study parts): weight stable (± 5%) for last 3 months, BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2
You may not qualify if…
- severe medical impairments (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, severe heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, cerebral insult, active malign disease, etc.)
- self-initiated cross-sex hormone therapy before study start only for part B (patients will participate in all other study parts): Insufficiently controlled endocrine disorders (Cushing's disease, other uncontrolled pituitary disorders, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, etc.)
- Chronic pulmonary disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that would limit ability to follow the protocol (investigator judgment) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; only subjects with mild or exercise-induced asthma on no medications or on beta-adrenergic agonists only will be allowed to enter the study (provided use of these agents is not required for 1 week before
- Diagnosed gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), malabsorption syndromes (e.g. celiac disease), gastric ulcer (active); only subjects with gastro-esophageal reflux will be allowed to enter the study entry).
- History of HIV infection or ongoing chronic infection (such as tuberculosis)
- only for part D (patients will participate in all other study parts): Contraindication against performance of an MRI scan (i.e., presence of metal in body, tattoos in head/neck region, claustrophobia etc.)
Where it is running
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research — Leipzig, Saxony, Germany (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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