CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03839641METFLEXUpdated Sep 17, 2021Results posted

Novel Approach to Assess Metabolic Flexibility in a Respiratory Chamber

An interventional study of High fat meal and Low fat meal in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, sponsored by Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-09-17.

Sponsored by Pennington Biomedical Research Center · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
10
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 40 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The overarching aim of this study: To determine the effect of different meal compositions (high- vs. low-fat) on metabolic flexibility as it relates to meal-stimulated change in respiratory quotient (ΔRQ1) and sleep (ΔRQ2) metabolic flexibility, as well as the time course changes in respiratory quotient, RQ (i.e., peak RQ, time to peak RQ, nadir RQ, time to nadir, slope).

02

Conditions studied

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
03

In context

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

9,359 studies on the registry are indexed under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; 1,318 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 10 is below the median of 80 across 7,525 interventional studies indexed under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2.

Browse Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 studies →

Lead sponsor

Pennington Biomedical Research Center is the lead sponsor of 277 studies on the registry; 29 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 40 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Eligibility criteria include:

    • Healthy male or female
    • Ages 18-40 y
    • BMI between 20 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 (±0.5 kg/m2 will be accepted)
    • Are willing to consume pre-prepared meals
    • Are willing to maintain current physical activity, sleep schedule, and dietary habits during the study.
    • Medically cleared for participation in the study by Medical Investigator

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants are ineligible to participate (or will be excluded from participating in this study) if they meet any of the following criteria:

    • Unstable weight in the last 3 months [gain or loss >7 lb (or 3.2 kg)]
    • Currently working shift work
    • Smoking or use of tobacco products within the last 3 months
    • Amenorrhea (or absence of regular monthly cycles)
    • History of clinically diagnosed diabetes or a fasting blood glucose >126 mg/dL
    • Average screening blood pressure >140/90 mmHg
    • Previous bariatric surgery (or other surgeries) for obesity or weight loss
    • Use of medications affecting metabolism or sleep
    • History of neurological disease
    • History of cardiovascular disease (or other chronic diseases)
    • Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
    • Adherence to special restrained diets (e.g., low-carbohydrate, low-fat, or vegetarian/vegan diets) over the last 3 months.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Double (Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
10 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    High Fat Meal First

    Arm 1 participants randomized to receive high fat meal first, and low fat meal second

    Other: High fat meal · Other: Low fat meal

  • Experimental
    High Fat Meal Second

    Arm 2 participants randomized to receive low fat meal first, and high fat meal second

    Other: High fat meal · Other: Low fat meal

Interventions

  • OtherHigh fat meal

    60% fat meal

  • OtherLow fat meal

    20% fat meal

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Overnight Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    12-h mean of respiratory exchange ratio following each meal type. measurement interval = 12h following start of meal (7pm) The respiratory exchange ratio refers to the proportion of macronutrients being oxidized. A respiratory exchange ratio value of 1.0 indicates only carbohydrates are being oxidized, while a ratio value of 0.7 indicates only fats are being oxidized. Intermediate values, such as 0.85, indicates that both carbohydrate and fats are being oxidized.

    Time frame: 12 hours

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sleep Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    mean of respiratory exchange ratio following each meal type during sleep period, 2am-5am., 2am-5am. measurement interval = 3h (2am-5am) The respiratory exchange ratio refers to the proportion of macronutrients being oxidized. A respiratory exchange ratio value of 1.0 indicates only carbohydrates are being oxidized, while a ratio value of 0.7 indicates only fats are being oxidized. Intermediate values, such as 0.85, indicates that both carbohydrate and fats are being oxidized.

    Time frame: 3 h

  2. Peak Increase in Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    mean of peak increase in respiratory exchange ratio (Peak values - baseline values) following each meal type Peak values were defined as the peak respiratory exchange ratio value measured during the post-meal period, 6pm-10pm. Baseline values were measured 1h prior to meal (5:00-5:45pm) measurement interval of peak values= 4h (6pm-10pm) A larger value in this measurement indicates that more carbohydrate than fats were being oxidized as fuel during the measurement period.

    Time frame: 4 h

  3. Peak Decrease in Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    mean of peak decrease in respiratory exchange ratio (baseline values -nadir values) following each meal type Peak values were defined as the peak respiratory exchange ratio value measured during the post-meal period, 6pm-10pm. Baseline values were measured 1h prior to meal (5:00-5:45pm) measurement interval of nadir values= 12h (6pm-6am) A larger value in this measurement indicates that more fats than carbohydrate were being oxidized as fuel during the measurement period.

    Time frame: 12 h

  4. Time to Peak Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    Average time from meal to peak respiratory exchange ratio value This measurement indicates how long on average it took form the onset of the meal, 6pm, for the participants to achieve their highest/peak respiratory exchange ratio value.

    Time frame: 12 h

  5. Time to Nadir Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    Average time from meal to nadir respiratory exchange ratio value This measurement indicates how long on average it took form the onset of the meal, 6pm, for the participants to achieve their lowest/nadir respiratory exchange ratio value.

    Time frame: 12 h

  6. Slope of Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    This value indicates the speed and magnitude of the participants change in respiratory exchange ratio between the peak and nadir values. A more negative value in this measurement indicates either a short time interval between the highest and lowest respiratory exchange ratio values measured and/or a large difference between the highest and lowest values of respiratory exchange ratio values measured.

    Time frame: 12 h

07

Results

Posted Sep 17, 2021

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneHigh-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and Low-fat MealLow-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and High-fat Meal
Started55
Completed44
Not completed11
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject11

Outcome measures

PrimaryOvernight Respiratory Exchange Ratio

12-h mean of respiratory exchange ratio following each meal type. measurement interval = 12h following start of meal (7pm) The respiratory exchange ratio refers to the proportion of macronutrients being oxidized. A respiratory exchange ratio value of 1.0 indicates only carbohydrates are being oxidized, while a ratio value of 0.7 indicates only fats are being oxidized. Intermediate values, such as 0.85, indicates that both carbohydrate and fats are being oxidized.

Time frame:
12 hours
Reported as:
Mean · ratio
Overnight Respiratory Exchange Ratio
ratioHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Overnight Respiratory Exchange Ratio0.832 ± 0.0140.887 ± 0.017
SecondarySleep Respiratory Exchange Ratio

mean of respiratory exchange ratio following each meal type during sleep period, 2am-5am., 2am-5am. measurement interval = 3h (2am-5am) The respiratory exchange ratio refers to the proportion of macronutrients being oxidized. A respiratory exchange ratio value of 1.0 indicates only carbohydrates are being oxidized, while a ratio value of 0.7 indicates only fats are being oxidized. Intermediate values, such as 0.85, indicates that both carbohydrate and fats are being oxidized.

Time frame:
3 h
Reported as:
Mean · ratio
Sleep Respiratory Exchange Ratio
ratioHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Sleep Respiratory Exchange Ratio0.820 ± 0.0160.867 ± 0.034
SecondaryPeak Increase in Respiratory Exchange Ratio

mean of peak increase in respiratory exchange ratio (Peak values - baseline values) following each meal type Peak values were defined as the peak respiratory exchange ratio value measured during the post-meal period, 6pm-10pm. Baseline values were measured 1h prior to meal (5:00-5:45pm) measurement interval of peak values= 4h (6pm-10pm) A larger value in this measurement indicates that more carbohydrate than fats were being oxidized as fuel during the measurement period.

Time frame:
4 h
Reported as:
Mean · ratio
Peak Increase in Respiratory Exchange Ratio
ratioHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Peak Increase in Respiratory Exchange Ratio0.057 ± 0.0300.103 ± 0.025
SecondaryPeak Decrease in Respiratory Exchange Ratio

mean of peak decrease in respiratory exchange ratio (baseline values -nadir values) following each meal type Peak values were defined as the peak respiratory exchange ratio value measured during the post-meal period, 6pm-10pm. Baseline values were measured 1h prior to meal (5:00-5:45pm) measurement interval of nadir values= 12h (6pm-6am) A larger value in this measurement indicates that more fats than carbohydrate were being oxidized as fuel during the measurement period.

Time frame:
12 h
Reported as:
Mean · ratio
Peak Decrease in Respiratory Exchange Ratio
ratioHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Peak Decrease in Respiratory Exchange Ratio0.093 ± 0.0310.025 ± 0.038
SecondaryTime to Peak Respiratory Exchange Ratio

Average time from meal to peak respiratory exchange ratio value This measurement indicates how long on average it took form the onset of the meal, 6pm, for the participants to achieve their highest/peak respiratory exchange ratio value.

Time frame:
12 h
Reported as:
Mean · minutes
Time to Peak Respiratory Exchange Ratio
minutesHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Time to Peak Respiratory Exchange Ratio61.9 ± 13.3100.3 ± 45.4
SecondaryTime to Nadir Respiratory Exchange Ratio

Average time from meal to nadir respiratory exchange ratio value This measurement indicates how long on average it took form the onset of the meal, 6pm, for the participants to achieve their lowest/nadir respiratory exchange ratio value.

Time frame:
12 h
Reported as:
Mean · minutes
Time to Nadir Respiratory Exchange Ratio
minutesHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Time to Nadir Respiratory Exchange Ratio274 ± 12.8427 ± 113
SecondarySlope of Respiratory Exchange Ratio

This value indicates the speed and magnitude of the participants change in respiratory exchange ratio between the peak and nadir values. A more negative value in this measurement indicates either a short time interval between the highest and lowest respiratory exchange ratio values measured and/or a large difference between the highest and lowest values of respiratory exchange ratio values measured.

Time frame:
12 h
Reported as:
Mean · ratio/minute
Slope of Respiratory Exchange Ratio
ratio/minuteHigh Fat MealLow-fat Meal
Slope of Respiratory Exchange Ratio-0.042 ± 0.007-0.028 ± 0.016

Adverse events

Collected over From enrollment through study completion, an average of 20 days. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
High-fat Meal0/8 (0%)0/8 (0%)1/8 (12.5%)
Low-fat Meal0/8 (0%)0/8 (0%)2/8 (25%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventHigh-fat MealLow-fat Meal
muscle acheMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders0/81/8
menstrual crampsReproductive system and breast disorders0/81/8
sinus congestionRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/80/8
sore throatRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/80/8

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)High-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and Low-fat MealLow-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and High-fat MealTotal
Mean28 ± 7.527 ± 5.728 ± 6.3
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)High-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and Low-fat MealLow-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and High-fat MealTotal
Female224
Male224
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)High-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and Low-fat MealLow-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and High-fat MealTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native000
Asian101
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander000
Black or African American000
White347
More than one race000
Unknown or Not Reported000
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)High-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and Low-fat MealLow-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and High-fat MealTotal
United States448
baseline respiratory exchange ratio
baseline respiratory exchange ratio(ratio)High-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and Low-fat MealLow-fat Meal, Washout (5-7 Days), and High-fat MealTotal
Mean0.845 ± 0.0180.856 ± 0.0260.851 ± 0.023
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808-4124, United States
09

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Nov 29, 2018

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 17, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03839641
Lead sponsor
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Responsible party
David McDougal (Assistant Professor-Research, Pennington Biomedical Research Center) — Principal investigator
First posted
Feb 15, 2019
Start date
Jan 14, 2019
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2019
Completion
Dec 31, 2020
Results posted
Sep 17, 2021
Last update
Sep 17, 2021

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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