Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 to 70

Evaluating the role of macrophages in obesity and metabolic function

Official title: Harnessing Macrophage Lysosomal Lipid Metabolism in Obesity-Associated Diseases

Run by University of Missouri-Columbia · NCT06571474 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing how a specific protein affects fat cells in people with obesity compared to those who are lean, to better understand how obesity impacts health.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbia, Missouri)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 1, 2024
Main results expectedMarch 2028
Study endsMarch 2028
Registry record updatedAugust 6, 2026
Trial IDNCT06571474 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 to 70 who are either lean or have metabolically normal obesity.

Probably not a fit

Patients with significant organ dysfunction, severe chronic diseases, or those on medications affecting glucose and lipid metabolism may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate how the transcription factor EB (TFEB) influences lipid metabolism in adipose tissue macrophages among individuals with metabolically abnormal obesity compared to lean individuals. Participants will undergo a screening visit, body composition imaging, and an overnight visit that includes intravenous infusion and biopsies of muscle and fat tissue. The study focuses on understanding the metabolic differences between these groups to better comprehend obesity's impact on health.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new insights into obesity management and treatment strategies.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this study is novel, similar studies have explored macrophage roles in metabolism with varying degrees of success.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria :

* 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)
* participants must fulfil all of the following group-specific inclusion criteria below:

Lean group:

* 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 %

Metabolically normal obesity (MNO) group:

* 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 %

Metabolically abnormal obesity (MAO)-insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) group:

* 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 %

MAO-type 2 diabetes group:

* 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

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Individuals that do not meet all inclusion Criterion

Where it's running

  • University of Missouri School of Medicine
    Columbia, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.