Stable isotope tracing in adults with obesity

Assessing Metabolic Health With Stable Isotope Tracer Techniques in Adults With Obesity

Not applicable Interventional University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NCT07020741

This research will test whether drinks labeled with safe stable isotopes can show how adults with obesity process glucose and protein.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment8 (estimated)
Ages19 Years to 59 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Academic / other
Locations1 site (Urbana, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT07020741 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a small crossover metabolic study in eight adults with obesity using stable isotope–labeled oral drinks to trace glucose and amino acid handling. In one arm participants consume six hourly caloric drinks containing two stable isotopes with repeated blood, breath, urine sampling and muscle biopsies. In the other arm participants drink a single 75 g glucose drink labeled with two glucose isotopes and provide serial blood and breath samples over three hours. Initial consent and screening questionnaires are completed virtually and eligible participants (ages 19–59, BMI ≥30 kg/m2, low habitual activity) attend on-site visits at the University of Illinois for fasting tests and biopsies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 19–59 with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (waist ≥102 cm for men or ≥88 cm for women) who report low leisure-time activity and have no known metabolic disease are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who smoke, are regularly physically active, are pregnant or become pregnant, have known metabolic diseases, recent large weight changes, food allergies, or are non-eumenorrheic or on hormonal birth control are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve understanding of how glucose and protein are processed in obesity and help guide better dietary or therapeutic strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Stable-isotope tracing is an established research method that has been used successfully to measure glucose and amino acid metabolism, although this specific small crossover application in obese adults is fairly limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ages 19-59
* Obese \>/= 30 kg/m\^2 and \>/= 102 cm for males and \>/= 88 cm for females
* Godin Leisure-time or exercise questionnaire \<14 units

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or become pregnant
2. Any known food allergies
3. Smoker
4. Are physically active
5. Have any known metabolic diseases
6. Have been weight unstable within the last 6 months (lost or gained \>10% of body mass)
7. Non eumenorrheic or on a hormonal birth control

Where this trial is running

Urbana, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Obese PatientsGlucose MetabolismProtein Metabolism
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.