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Molecular, Cellular, and Genetic Characterization of Human Adipose Tissue and Its Role in Metabolism

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) · NCT02692885

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–90 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Observational
Target enrollment
300
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
March 22, 2016
Record last updated
September 22, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

Background

The body uses energy from calories for basic functions like breathing and digesting food. Over time, when a person eats more calories than they burn, they may become overweight or obese. Obesity is a major health concern. Researchers want to look at fat and muscle tissue to learn more about metabolism. That is how the body uses food and other nutrients for normal function and energy. This research may help to develop new treatments for obesity and related diseases.

Objective

To learn more about the role of fat and muscle in metabolism, particularly how fat and muscle store and use energy.

Eligibility

Adults 18 years and older who have a planned surgery at NIH in which tissue can be collected by the surgeon.

Design

Participants will be screened by their regular NIH doctor. Then researchers will contact them about this study.

Participants will not have to make extra visits to NIH for this study.

Researchers will collect samples during the participant s surgery. These will be fat tissue and skeletal muscle tissue. Muscle tissue will only be taken from tissue that is going to be discarded. Collecting the tissue will not add any time or any extra incisions than what is required for the surgery.

After surgery, blood will be drawn. Some participants will have this done in the pre-op or post-op room. Others will have this done during their hospital stay.

Conditions: Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) Physiology; Phenotyping; Brown Adipocytes

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria
  • INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR SUBJECTS UNDERGOING SURGERY (COHORT 1)

INCLUSION CRITERIA

  • Male or female
  • Any ethnicity
  • 18 years or older
  • Subject undergoing planned, clinically-indicated surgical procedure at the NIH Clinical Center in which tissue will be accessible and available for collection by the Operating Surgeon.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

  • Inability to provide consent.
  • Pregnancy

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR ALL OTHER SUBJECTS (HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS AND NON-SURGICAL PATIENTS (COHORT 2):

INCLUSION CRITERIA

  • Male or female
  • Any ethnicity
  • 18-80 year
  • For supraclavicular or dorsocervical adipose biopsy: 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan images available in the CRC PACS system (performed as part of separate protocol)

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

  • History of keloids.
  • Currently taking blood thinning or anti-inflammatory medications including anti-platelet or antithrombotic medications.
  • Pregnancy
  • History of pacemaker, metallic heart valves, aneurysm clip, pedicle screws, metallic foreign body in eye, or other metallic implant only if using fusion technology for the biopsy procedure.
  • Psychological conditions including (but not limited to) clinical depression, bipolar disorders, or forms of mental incapacity that would be incompatible with safe and successful participation in this study.
  • Addiction to alcohol or substances of abuse within the last 5 years; current use of drugs or alcohol (CAGE greater than or equal to 2).
  • Inability to provide consent.

All subjects will be fully informed of the aims, nature, and risks of the study prior to giving written informed consent.

Recruiting US locations

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    Bethesda, MD 20892

    Site contact: For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR) · 800-411-1222 · ccopr@nih.gov

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Ashley M Schmitz, C.R.N.P. · (920) 948-1186 · ashley.schmitz@nih.gov
  • Aaron M Cypess, M.D. · (301) 435-9267 · aaron.cypess@nih.gov
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Molecular, Cellular, and Genetic Characterization of Human Adipose… (NCT02692885) | Bored Studies