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Understanding Fat Metabolism in Obesity

This observational study, called ATM, aims to understand how fat cells (adipose tissue) and immune cells (macrophages) process fats in people with obesity, especially those with conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Researchers will compare these processes in individuals with metabolically abnormal obesity and healthy, lean individuals. The study is looking for 60 participants between 18 and 70 years old who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, are weight-stable, and don't use tobacco or excessive alcohol. Success will be measured by changes in insulin sensitivity, 24-hour blood sugar levels, and how macrophages are isolated from fat tissue biopsies, all within two weeks of a clinical visit. The study's current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an observational study involving 60 participants. It compares individuals with metabolically abnormal obesity to lean individuals.
What's involved
You would have a screening visit, imaging tests (DEXA scans, MRI, and MRS scans), and an overnight visit including an intravenous infusion (IV) and biopsies of muscle and fat tissue.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements for insulin sensitivity, 24-hour plasma glucose, and macrophage isolation are taken within two weeks of a clinical visit.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06571474

Harnessing Macrophage Lysosomal Lipid Metabolism in Obesity (ATM)

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–70Observational
Bettina Mittendorfer
~60 participants
Updated 2026-08-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Insulin sensitivity
Measured over Within 2 weeks of Clinical Visit
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Obesity
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Healthy

Explore related trials

HealthyNonalcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseObesityType 2 Diabetes Mellitus

NCT06571474

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Missouri School of Medicine

    Columbia, Missouristudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Bettina Mittendorfer · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Missouri-Columbia

Who to contact

Heather McHatton
[email protected]
573-882-7619
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

age: ≥18 but ≤70 years
not pregnant or breastfeeding
weight stable and sedentary before enrollment
no use tobacco products, excessive amounts of alcohol, or dietary supplements, or medications known to or suspected to affect glucose and lipid metabolism (aside from certain medications used to treat diabetes in the metabolically abnormal obesity \[MAO\]-Type 2 Diabetes group)
no evidence of significant organ system dysfunction or disease (e.g. chronic severe kidney disease, cancer)
Body mass index (BMI) ≥18.5 but \<25.0 kg/m2
Intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content \<5%
fasting blood glucose concentration: \<100 mg/dl
blood glucose concentration 2 h after a 75 g oral glucose challenge: \<140 mg/dl
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) \<5.7 %
BMI ≥30.0 but \<45.0 kg/m2
IHTG content \<5%
fasting blood glucose concentration: \<100 mg/dl
blood glucose concentration 2 h after a 75 g oral glucose challenge: \<140 mg/dl
HbA1c \<5.7 %
BMI ≥30.0 but \<45.0 kg/m2
IHTG content \>7.5%
fasting blood glucose concentration: ≥100 but \<126 mg/dl
blood glucose concentration 2 h after a 75 g oral glucose challenge: ≥140 but \<200 mg/dl
HbA1c: ≥5.7 but \<6.4 %
BMI ≥30.0 but \<45.0 kg/m2
clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or fasting blood glucose concentration \>126 mg/dl or blood glucose concentration 2 h after a 75 g oral glucose challenge\>200 mg/dl or HbA1c \>6.4 % without medication if not diagnosed and medically treated for diabetes

What this trial measures

  • Insulin sensitivityWithin 2 weeks of Clinical Visit

    Sensitivity assessed as insulin-mediated glucose disposal during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure

  • 24-hour plasma glucose concentrationWithin 2 weeks of Clinical Visit
  • Macrophage isolation in adipose tissue biopsyWithin 2 weeks of Clinical Visit

    macrophage gene expression using RNA sequencing and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS)

  • Macrophage isolation in skeletal muscle tissueWithin 2 weeks of Clinical Visit

    macrophage gene expression using RNA sequencing and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS)