Effects of weight loss on circulating extracellular vesicles. V1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of a multidisciplinary weight loss programme on circulating extracellular vesicles and inflammation in severely overweight patients
IRAS ID
210208
Contact name
Aled Rees
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The prevalence of obesity is rising globally and it is estimated that 58% of adults in Wales are overweight or obese. The global rise in obesity is undoubtedly related to social and lifestyle changes in the last few decades with sedentary behaviour and increased caloric intake believed to be the main culprits. However, the reasons why some people develop weight-related diseases are quite complex and are not yet fully understood. Adipose tissue is no longer regarded as a passive energy store but as an active endocrine tissue that continuously communicates with other tissues by secreting a variety of molecules including proteins and growth factors, as well as extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are small circulating particles which mediate communication between tissues and may be considered also as potential biomarkers.
The main study objective is to evaluate the effects of an existing multidisciplinary weight loss programme delivered at Cardiff and Vale UHB on circulating EV concentration and composition.
Study participants will be recruited from severely overweight patients who are being referred to the Weight Management Clinic at Cardiff and Vale UHB. The structure of this service and the care delivery pathways will remain unchanged and will not be affected by individual’s participation in the study. Individuals who agree to participate will be asked to donate an extra 15-20 mLs of blood during their scheduled visit to the Weight Management Clinic which will be taken at the same time as the routinely ordered blood tests that constitute the current management pathway (i.e. fasting glucose and lipids). Patients will be evaluated at the point of first contact with the service (baseline) and 24 weeks (6 months) after intervention commencement.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0342
Date of REC Opinion
12 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion