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AzTrials

HealthyMONWNCT06802341

Energy Metabolism and Acute Effects of Protein Diets in Metabolically Obese Normal Weight Individuals

A study testing Normal protein diet, Animal protein diet and Plant based diet in people with Healthy and Glucose Metabolism Disorders, run by Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation at 1 site in Singapore.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

Asians tend to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) at lower body mass index (BMI) levels and younger ages compared to other populations. This leads to a longer duration of suffering from long-term complications associated with the disease, ultimately resulting in shorter life expectancy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 21 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Normal protein diet, Animal protein diet and Plant based diet
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteSingapore
Study dates
1 Feb 2022to Feb 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 21 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Body mass index between 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2
  • Non-diabetic
  • Blood pressure (≤140/90 mmHg)
  • <5% weight change in the past 6 months
  • Fasting triglyceride < 90 mg/dl and HOMA-IR ≤ 1.0 will be defined as healthy subjects
  • Fasting triglyceride ≥ 90 mg/dl and HOMA-IR > 1.0 will be defined as MONW subjects

Who cannot join

  • • Smoker or currently on nicotine therapy
  • Regularly consume alcohol >1 unit per day
  • On hypocaloric/hypercaloric diet aiming for weight loss/gain
  • An athlete or sportive person with regular exercising >3 times per week and >45 minutes per section.
  • Currently receiving therapy (e.g. insulin) or any medication/ treatment (including supplements) that may affect glucose and lipid metabolism, energy metabolism or body composition
  • Currently on steroids, protease inhibitors, or antipsychotics therapies
Show all 20Show fewer
  • Has symptomatic Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Has glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
  • Had major medical or surgical event requiring hospitalization within the preceding 3 months
  • Participated in drug trials within 3 months before the start of the study
  • Donated blood within 3 months before the start of the study
  • Has intolerances or allergies to any of the study foods (eg. anaphylaxis to glutens)
  • Pregnant (pregnancy test will be done), lactating, or planning to be become pregnant during the study period
  • Has active Tuberculosis (TB) or currently receiving treatment for TB
  • Has chronic infection or is known to suffer from or has previously suffered from or is a carrier of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Has claustrophobia, trypanophobia, or hemophobia
  • Unwilling to consume study foods
  • Inadequate fluency in the English language
  • Unable to understand the study procedures and signs forms providing written informed consent to participate in the study.
  • Is a member of the research team or their immediate family members. Immediate family member is defined as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, whether biological or legally adopted

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Singapore1 site
  • Clinical Nutrition Research Centre

    Singapore, Singapore, 117599

Other trials in Singapore

About this study

Official title: Energy Metabolism and Acute Effects of Protein Diets in Metabolically Obese Normal Weight (MONW) Individuals

Asians tend to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) at lower body mass index (BMI) levels and younger ages compared to other populations. This leads to a longer duration of suffering from long-term complications associated with the disease, ultimately resulting in shorter life expectancy. Notably, approximately 40% of newly diagnosed T2D cases in Asians occur in individuals considered lean, with a BMI reported to be less than 22 kg/m2. This phenomenon is termed the "Metabolically Obese Normal Weight" (MONW) phenotype. MONW individuals are characterized as having a normal body weight but exhibiting obesity-related metabolic disturbances, including excess body fat with ectopic fat deposition, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.

Read the detailed description

Asian populations have higher prevalence of abdominal obesity, accounting for ~60% of the global diabetic population. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) developing at lower BMI levels and younger ages compared to Western populations, suggest underlying metabolic issues in Asian. A cluster of metabolically obese, normal weight (MONW) individuals are identified in 40% of newly diagnosed Asian T2D.

MONW individuals have normal body weight but exhibit obesity-related metabolic disturbances, such as excess body fat, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, predisposing them to develop metabolic symptoms such as T2D and cardiovascular disease. They also show reduced physical activity, lower aerobic capacity, low muscle quality and impaired thermogenesis. Elevated plasma amino acids are associated with insulin resistance, resembling obesity, diabetes and sarcopenia. Given the complex nature of MONW, further examination is needed for early diagnosis and effective prevention strategies. Increased protein intake is known to improve satiety, thermogenesis and muscle health, while enhancing insulin sensitivity and fat oxidation. High-protein diets can aid in weight loss and are often preferred over traditional calorie restriction for combating obesity. In our previous study, a 5% weight loss from calorie restriction improved body composition and metabolism in MONW individuals. Hence, this study aims to 1) better understand the physiology and energy balance of MONW individuals; 2) identify biomarkers for early diagnosis; and 3) examine the effects of high-protein diets on the metabolism of MONW individuals. The study will involve participants of Chinese descent, evaluating metabolic biomarkers in energy balance and the impact of different protein sources on their acute metabolic effects.

Being tested
Normal protein diet, Animal protein diet, Plant based diet
Keywords
Glycaemic control
Medical subject headings
Glucose Metabolism Disorders, Obesity, Abdominal, Obesity, Insulin Resistance

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Normal protein dietOther

    Animal-based protein meal plan consisted of 60% carbohydrates, 10% proteins and 30% lipids

  • Animal protein dietOther

    Animal based high protein meal consisting of 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% lipids

  • Plant based dietOther

    Plant based high protein meal consisting of 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% lipids

Study groups in NCT06802341
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Normal protein dietExperimentalAnimal based protein. 60% carbohydrates, 10% proteins and 30% lipids (i.e. 0.8g of protein/kg of body weight/day)
Receives: Other: Normal protein diet
Animal based high protein mealExperimental40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% lipids (i.e. 2.4g of protein/kg of body weight/day)
Receives: Other: Animal protein diet
Plant based high protein mealExperimental40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% lipids (i.e. 2.4g of protein/kg of body weight/day)
Receives: Other: Plant based diet

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Gycaemic control

    The primary outcome in this study is the effect on glycaemic control (fasting glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity).

    Measured: Blood will be sampled at timepoints, t = 0minute(fasting), following the meal test,for 4 hours (t = 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 240 minutes),and pre- and post-exercise

  2. Energy expenditure and fuel utilization

    Metabolism will be assessed in the whole body calorimeter (WBC). Only one subject alone in the WBC room during the test. The subject can move around freely. O2 consumption and CO2 production will be detailed energy metabolism in different parameters, such as RMR, DIT, PAEE and NEAT.measured to calculate energy expenditure using Weir formulae Urine samples collected across 4 different sessions throughout the WBC stay to assess protein utilisation

    Measured: Assessed for 9 hours in the whole body calorimeter room on visits 3, 4 and 5. 30 minute-RMR,3hour-DIT, 30minute-exercise-induced EE (or PAEE)); urine samples collected on 4 different sessions throughout the WBC

  3. Postprandial amino acids and proteomics profiles

    To identify novel biomarkers and gain insights to investigate phenotypic differences of MONW individuals.

    Measured: Blood will be sampled at timepoints, t = 0 minute (Baseline) and at t=60 minutes.

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Postprandial profiles of lipid and inflammation

    Effects on fasting lipids and inflammatory markers

    Measured: Blood will be sampled at timepoints, t = 0 minute (fasting), following the meal test, for 4 hours (t = 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 240 minutes), and pre- and post-exercise.

  2. Measure of appetite regulation and postprandial gut hormones

    A visual analogue scale incorporating a 100-point rating scale will be used to assess each appetitive sensation, e.g. hunger, fullness, desire to eat, induced by each intervention. Gut hormones will also be measured from blood samples.

    Measured: Rate hunger and satiety immediately before (t=0 minute) and after meal (t=15, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes)

  3. Measure of muscle and inflammation biomarkers after exercise bout

    Measure of muscle and inflammation biomarkers after exercise to evaluating metabolic biomarkers in energy balance

    Measured: Blood samples were taken prior to the exercise and immediately after the 30-minute exercise

  4. Baseline gut microbial populations and functions and relationship to the host's diet

    Subjects will be instructed to pass stool onto a provided dry clean stool catcher and transfer 1-5 grams stool specimen using a spatula attached to the tube lid into the stool collection leak prof tube containing preservatives.

    Measured: 1 stool sample collected during study,taken at baseline (between baseline visit and before first intervention visit). Can be collected in centre or at home using a stool kit. Kit contained stabilising reagents to stabilize DNA and RNA.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted31 Jan 2025
  2. Study start1 Feb 2022
  3. Primary completionFeb 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completionFeb 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Randomized, controlled
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
24 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06802341
Sponsor's protocol ID
2021-192
Acronym
MONW
Status last verified
Jan 2025
First submitted
17 Jan 2025
Last updated
31 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Normal protein diet, Animal protein diet and Plant based diet in people with Healthy and Glucose Metabolism Disorders, run by Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation at 1 site in Singapore.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 20 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Singapore. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Gycaemic control (time frame: Blood will be sampled at timepoints, t = 0minute(fasting), following the meal test,for 4 hours (t = 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 240 minutes),and pre- and post-exercise). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Jan 2025.

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