Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase and Energy Metabolism in Humans (SEM)

University of Oslo

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy; Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: SFA+Cys/Met diet; Behavioral: PUFA-Cys/Met diet

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02647970

2015/634 (Other Identifier)

239948-A

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to examine if changing stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 (SCD1) activity through dietary interventions can increase energy metabolism in humans.

Full description

In rodents as well as humans, high stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 (SCD1) activity is considered to be involved in development of obesity. In animal models, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) inhibit Scd1 gene expression and at the population level, dietary PUFA and plasma PUFA show strong inverse associations with plasma SCD indices. Emerging evidence also suggests a role for the sulphur amino acid cysteine in regulating SCD1 activity and obesity.

The overall aim of the project is to examine if interventions that lowers SCD1 activity lead to increased energy metabolism. In this project, the investigators will conduct dietary intervention trials to evaluate the effects of short-term consumption of a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and low in cysteine and its precursor methionine (PUFA-Cys/Met) vs. a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and cysteine/methionine (SFA+Cys/Met) on SCD1 activity, lipids, amino acids, glucose and other biomarkers related to energy metabolism, in healthy normal-weight subjects. Healthy volunteers will be randomized to the PUFA-Cys/Met or SFA+Cys/Met diets receiving supplements/meals in a single dose or for 7 days.

This study is a pilot study, with main focus on feasibility, tolerance and side effects. If the pilot shows positive results in terms of side effects, safety and tolerance, the investigators will follow-up by including obese subjects in a longer dietary intervention.

Enrollment: 14 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy normal-weight (BMI 20-25 kg/m2)

Exclusion Criteria

• High physical activity
• Smoking
• High intake of fatty fish or cod liver oil
• Drugs
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Chronic disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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14 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A

Experimental group

Description:

Dietary intervention

Treatment:

Behavioral: PUFA-Cys/Met diet

Group B

Active Comparator group

Description:

Dietary intervention

Treatment:

Behavioral: SFA+Cys/Met diet