The Stress-obesity Axis: a Metabolomics Approach Towards Personalized Nutrition in Adolescents

NCT ID: NCT06391671

Last Updated: 2024-04-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

750 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-01-11

Study Completion Date

2027-07-31

Brief Summary

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The ultimate aim of this project is to establish a validated strategy that allows for personalized intervention in adolescents (11 to 17 years) whom are assigned a state of overweight or obesity.

The investigators will assess the following hypotheses:

* Weight condition is reflected by the fecal metabolome (WP1)
* Emotional stress is implicated in weight condition (WP1)
* Functionality of the gut microbiome is related to the diet-stress-obesity axis (WP2)
* Dietary pattern impacts the fecal metabolome and gut microbiome (WP2)
* Personalized dietary intervention outperforms generalized dietary approaches (WP3)

Participants will:

* Produce a saliva, stool and hair sample
* Fill in questionnaires regarding mental health, medical health and demographic information
* Fill in a food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hrecalls
* Be measured (height, weight, fat% and waist circumference)

The samples will be analyzed using a technique called metabolomics to identify biomarker candidates with diagnostic and/or prognostic potential. Additionally, microbiome analysis will be performed to map the microbiome of all groups.

Detailed Description

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In WP1, the investigators will assess the metabolic mechanisms underlying the obesity pathology in adolescents, whereby the involvement of emotional stress, will be of particular interest. To this end, a dual strategy fecal metabolomics will be performed: targeted profiling and untargeted fingerprinting. A major objective in this respect is to metabolically segregate between the overweight/obesity and normal weight condition as well as to reveal metabolic singularities that specifically relate to emotional stress. Fecal material, saliva and a hair sample will be collected from adolescents (11 to 17 years). Assignment of a participant's stress state will be performed post-hoc and based on hair cortisol concentrations and scores from the psychological questionnaires. The samples will be collected at home and have to be frozen immediately after sample collection. The samples will be analyzed using a technique called metabolomics, using UHPLC-HRMS (Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry).

In WP2 the investigators will assess the microbiome and diet as drivers for obesity. Fecal samples will be subjected to DNA extraction and whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing will be performed using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 system (151 bp paired-end reads; Novogene). In order to collect data about both long- and short-term dietary intakes, participants will be provided with a FFQ and a 24-h recall.

Eventually, discovery of metabolite marker signatures and elucidation of mechanistic pathways will offer opportunities to stratify obese adolescents according to emotional stress status, microbial composition and dietary preferences.

In WP3, the new data from WP1/2 will be translated in personalized dietary recommendations. The investigators will assess the potential of dietary interventions focused on nutrient quality (not energy-reduced) to affect the stress-obesity axis directly or by gut microbial modulation. After ethical approval, the dietary intervention study will include up to 20 individuals that were allocated to the overweight/obesity group. In our 3-month personalized intervention, separate menus for each participant will be prepared by our dietician. Based on WP1/2 and literature evidence, appropriate changes in nutrients will be aimed for. At different points in time, fecal samples will be collected, aliquoted and biobanked at -80°C. Fecal samples will be used for polar metabolomics and lipidomics analyses and microbiome metasequencing. At the start and after the 3-months intervention, fasting blood samples will be taken for clinical biomarkers (glucose, insulin, cholesterol, cytokines, ...). In addition, indirect calorimetry will determine resting energy expenditure. Anthropometric measures include BMI, waist and fat%. Questionnaires cover emotional eating (DEBQ), satiety, physical activity, sleep and quality-of-life (KINDL). Study volunteers will be asked to fill out an FFQ and 3-day 24-h recall to assess dietary habits prior to the trial.

Conditions

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Pediatric Obesity

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

CASE_CONTROL

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

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Overweight/obese

BMI-Z \> 25

Collection of anthropometric data, biological samples (stool, saliva and hair), questionnaires (demographic data, psychological data, medical data)

Intervention Type OTHER

Saliva and feces are collected at the families home. A questionnaire is filled in by the participant (psychological) and parents (demographical and medical info). Upon consultation we are collecting anthropometric data (date of birth, length, weight, abdominal circumference, Tanner pubertal stage, etc.)

Normal weight

BMI-Z \< 25

Collection of anthropometric data, biological samples (stool, saliva and hair), questionnaires (demographic data, psychological data, medical data)

Intervention Type OTHER

Saliva and feces are collected at the families home. A questionnaire is filled in by the participant (psychological) and parents (demographical and medical info). Upon consultation we are collecting anthropometric data (date of birth, length, weight, abdominal circumference, Tanner pubertal stage, etc.)

Interventions

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Collection of anthropometric data, biological samples (stool, saliva and hair), questionnaires (demographic data, psychological data, medical data)

Saliva and feces are collected at the families home. A questionnaire is filled in by the participant (psychological) and parents (demographical and medical info). Upon consultation we are collecting anthropometric data (date of birth, length, weight, abdominal circumference, Tanner pubertal stage, etc.)

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 11-17 years

Exclusion Criteria

* Obesity/overweight
* Type 1 diabetes
* Medical conditions including pancreatic failure
* Developmental and hormonal disorders. E.g. thyroid problems, adrenal problems, Kallmann's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), ...
* Pregnancy
* In treatment with systemic concentrations of corticosteroids (cortisone). Eg cortisone/betamethasone/Dexamethasone/Fludrocortisone/Hydrocortisone in pill form or administration by injections.
Minimum Eligible Age

11 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University Ghent

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Stefaan de Henauw, Prof

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital, Ghent

Locations

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AZ Jan Palfijn Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, 9000

Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

Ghent University Hospital

Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

Clairs Vallons

Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Waals Brabant, Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

Zeepreventorium

De Haan, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

AZ Delta

Roeselare, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

UZ Antwerpen

Antwerp, , Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

ZNA Middelheim

Antwerp, , Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Belgium

Central Contacts

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Emile Callemeyn, Dr

Role: CONTACT

+32473271636

Lynn Vanhaecke, Prof

Role: CONTACT

0032 9 264 74 57

Facility Contacts

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Nele Baeck, Dr

Role: primary

Stefaan de Henauw, Prof

Role: primary

+32 9 332 36 79

Laure Joachim, Dr

Role: primary

Ann Tanghe

Role: primary

Els Ide, dr

Role: primary

Karolien Van de Maele, Prof

Role: primary

+32 3 821 32 51

Daniel Klink, Dr

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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BC-10583

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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