Effects of dietary nutrients on liver and adipose tissue metabolism
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of short-term overconsumption of specific dietary nutrients on liver and adipose tissue metabolism.
IRAS ID
211172
Contact name
Leanne Hodson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
As people gain weight it may alter the metabolic health and function of their liver and the fat (adipose tissue) under their skin. Adipose tissue should store energy derived from meals. If adipose tissue stops storing meal derived fat then this increases the risk of the dietary fat being inappropriately stored in the liver. Fat accumulation in the liver increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. It has been suggested that having a diet high in some nutrients (e.g. sugars, fats) may play an important role in the metabolic health and function of adipose tissue and liver; we would like to investigate this in detail.
To study the liver and adipose tissue metabolism and function of healthy volunteers in detail we will recruit two groups (A and B). Group A will have liver metabolism only studied whilst in Group B liver and adipose tissue metabolism will be investigated. We will also undertake a sub-study to investigate how dietary components alter the amount of energy produced by the liver (known as liver energetics). Prior to all baseline measurements, participants in Group A, B and the sub-study will consume a diet reflective of the healthy eating guidelines (known as a standardisation diet) for 5 days. The amount of fat within the liver and the heart muscle, along with heart function, will then be measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Participants will then have a study day where they will be fed a test meal, and specially labelled non-radioactive molecules (stable-isotopes) will be used to trace the fate of fatty acids. Participants will then consume an experimental diet that will contain higher amounts of a specific nutrient than what they typically consume and after 14 - 21 days all measurements (MRI, sub-study, study day) will be repeated in the second and final study day.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0031
Date of REC Opinion
2 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion