The aim of this study is to examine the effect of methionine and cysteine restriction on energy and macronutrient metabolism in overweight human subjects
The sulfur-containing amino acid methionine and its downstream metabolite cysteine has been associated with fat mass in animal studies and human observational studies. Some of the proposed mechanisms include an association with lipogenesis, insulin sensitivity and disrupted energy metabolism. The overall aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of a diet low in methionine and cysteine on markers of lipids, amino acids, glucose and other biomarkers related to energy metabolism, including transcriptomic and protein expression data from adipose tissue and lymphocytes. Overweight and obese but otherwise healthy volunteers will be randomized to receive a diet either low, moderate or high in methionine and cysteine concentrations for 1 week. This is a pilot study that may be considered an extension of NCT02647970. In addition to the primary and secondary outcomes we will evaluate the feasibility of the intervention and procedures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
19
Dietary intervention with low contents of methionine and cysteine
Dietary intervention with moderate contents of methionine and cysteine
Dietary intervention with high contents of methionine and cysteine
University of Oslo
Oslo, Norway
Change in plasma concentrations of amino acids
Measurement of biomarkers of amino acid metabolism, including plasma concentrations of methionine, cysteine and related metabolites
Time frame: Baseline, Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7 (final visit)
Change in protein expression activity in tissues
Measurement of protein expression and activity related to methionine and cysteine metabolism in adipose tissue and lymphocytes.
Time frame: Baseline and day 7 (final visit for adipose tissue, Baseline and day 1, 3 and 7 (final visit) for lymphocytes.
Change in plasma concentrations of fatty acids
Measurement of fatty acid content in plasma
Time frame: Baseline, Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7 (final visit)
Change in plasma activity indices of steaoryl-CoA desaturase
Calculated based onthe ratio of plasma concentrations of products and precursors
Time frame: Baseline, Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7 (final visit)
Change in protein expression of steaoryl CoA-desaturase in adipose tissue
Measurement of protein expression of steaoryl CoA-desaturase in adipose tissue
Time frame: Baseline and Day 7 (final visit)
Change in protein expression of steaoryl CoA-desaturase in lymphocytes
Measurement of protein expression of steaoryl CoA-desaturase in lymphocytes
Time frame: Baseline, Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7 (final visit)
Change in steaoryl CoA-desaturase activity in adipose tissue
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Measurement of enzyme activity of steaoryl CoA-desaturase in adipose tissue
Time frame: Baseline and Day 7 (final visit)
Diet feasibility
Diet feasibility will be measured by a self-administered questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline, Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7 (final visit)
Diet compliance
Compliance with the diet will be measured by a self-administered questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline, Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7 (final visit)
Body composition
Measurement of body composition by bioimpedance and dual X-ray absorptometry
Time frame: Baseline and day 7 (final visit)