NCT07048405 Intermittent Cold Exposure and Brown Adipose Tissue Hyperplasia
| NCT ID | NCT07048405 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Edinburgh |
| Condition | Brown Adipose Tissue |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 12 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-05-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-07 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 12 participants in total. It began in 2025-05-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-07.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This clinical trial explores how repeated short-term cold exposure impacts the molecular and physiological function of brown adipose tissue (BAT), a thermogenic organ associated with improved cardiometabolic health. While intermittent cold exposure has been shown to increase BAT activity and mass, as measured by fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans, the molecular adaptations within BAT and other thermogenic tissues including skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue (WAT) remain poorly understood. Healthy adults aged 18 to 40 years (6 males and 6 females) will participate in a 10-day cold acclimation protocol (2 hours per day using water-perfused cooling blankets). The primary objective is to determine how cold exposure alters cellular heterogeneity and gene expression in BAT, WAT, and skeletal muscle. Participants will undergo baseline assessments, including measurements of energy expenditure, core and skin temperature, muscle activity, and blood sampling, each performed in both warm and cold conditions. These assessments will be followed by dynamic total-body PET/CT imaging during cold exposure and tissue biopsies from BAT, subcutaneous WAT, and skeletal muscle. These procedures will be repeated after the cold acclimation protocol to evaluate physiological and molecular changes. Additional outcomes include changes in energy expenditure, cold tolerance, and immune cell responses induced by cold exposure.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-40 years * Body mass index 18.5-25 kg/m2 * Weight change of less than 5% in the past 6 months * No acute or chronic medical conditions * On no regular medications (other than contraceptives in female participants) * No claustrophobia * Alcohol intake ≤14 units/ week * Screening blood tests within acceptable limits (of no clinical significance) * Not currently pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding (female participants only) * Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Not meeting inclusion criteria * Contra-indication to PET/CT scan * Allergy to local anaesthetic
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07048405 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 40 Years, studying Brown Adipose Tissue. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07048405 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07048405 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at m.p.huertas-caycedo@sms.ed.ac.uk for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07048405 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07048405 clinical trial?
NCT07048405 is sponsored by University of Edinburgh. The trial plans to enroll 12 participants.