Clinical trial NCT01961674: Studying the Effect of Capsinoids on Brown Fat Using Infrared Thermal Imaging.
Official title: Infrared Thermal Imaging for Assessing the Effect of Capsinoids on Brown Adipose Tissue Activity.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Obesity
Diabetes
Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Lead sponsor: Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation
Sponsor class: OTHER_GOV
First posted: 2013-10-11
Enrollment: 40
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 21
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER

Brief summary: The primary hypothesis of this study is that consumption of capsinoids increases brown adipose tissue activity, detectable by infrared thermal imaging.

The secondary hypothesis is that consumption of capsinoids can affect an individual's glycaemic response.

Detailed description: It has been recently established that brown adipose tissue (BAT) exists in adult humans. BAT is a thermogenic tissue which dissipates energy as heat. The primary objective of this study is to use thermal imaging to assess the effect of capsinoids on BAT activity in adult humans, and whether there is a relationship between the increase in energy expenditure and BAT activity after capsinoids intake. The secondary objective is to investigate whether capsinoids will have an effect on an individual's glycaemic response. Lean, healthy male volunteers will be recruited. There will be two test sessions which are randomized, where subjects will consume either capsinoids or placebo capsules, and a standardized amount of white rice (equivalent to 50g carbohydrates). Indirect calorimetry will be used to assess energy expenditure before and after consumption of the test meal. Thermal imaging of supraclavicular BAT, the primary BAT depot in humans, will be undertaken using an infrared thermal camera to assess changes in BAT temperature. Blood glucose levels will be monitored by finger prick blood sampling method. This study aims to investigate whether capsinoids consumption leads to changes in BAT temperatures detectable by the infrared thermal camera, to confirm the feasibility of using thermal imaging as a rapid, noninvasive, and reproducible way of studying BAT activity thus providing a platform to advance research in this emerging field of human BAT.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Chinese ethnicity
* Male
* Healthy
* Age 21 - 30 years
* BMI 18.0 - 22.9 kg/m2
* Not on any prescribed medication
* Infrequent spicy food or chilli user (less than 3 times per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Smoker
* Fasting blood glucose \> 5.5 mmol/L
* Resting blood pressure \> 140/90 mmHg
* Any major medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders
* Allergic or intolerant to foods presented in the study

Primary outcomes:
measure: Temperature at supraclavicular region
timeFrame: 2.5 hours post-consumption
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Glycaemic response
timeFrame: 2.5 hours post-consumption
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Singapore
country: Singapore
facility: Clinical Nutrition Research Centre
Study officials:
References: