Brown fat activity after cold exposure measured by PET/CT in healthy people and those with metabolic conditions

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a single-center, prospective observational study enrolling up to 500 adults aged 18–40, including metabolically healthy individuals and those with diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia. Participants will undergo [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging at room temperature and after a controlled cold exposure, with paired pre- and post-exposure data collection. Baseline demographic, questionnaire, imaging, saliva, and blood samples will be collected to build a multimodal BAT cohort. The goal is to improve detection and assessment of brown adipose tissue activity under resting conditions and after cold stimulus, and to explore genetic and biomarker factors related to BAT. Analyses may include image-based segmentation models and correlation with metabolic parameters to enhance understanding of BAT physiology and potential links to cardiometabolic health.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18 to 40 years, regardless of sex;
* Stable body weight within the past 3 months, with a weight change of \< 3 kg;
* Able to tolerate the cold exposure test (without severe cold allergy, Raynaud's phenomenon, cold urticaria, or other related conditions).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any diagnosed chronic metabolic disease (excluding diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia); no major organic diseases (including but not limited to cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neuropsychiatric disorders) and no history of malignancy
* Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or those planning to become pregnant during the study period;
* Use of β-blockers (e.g., propranolol), benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam), or other medications that may affect brown adipose tissue metabolism (such as glucocorticoids, sympathomimetic agents, some antidepressants, etc.) within the past 4 weeks, as determined by the investigator;
* Presence of contraindications to PET-CT examination (e.g., claustrophobia, inability to remain supine for 30 minutes, allergy to FDG, etc.);

Where it's running

• Jinling Hospital
  Nanjing, Jiangsu, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Longjiang Zhang, MD
• Email: kevinzhlj@163.com
• Phone: +8613405833167

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.