The Effect of Cold Exposure on Glucose Tolerance
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of cold exposure on an individual's glucose tolerance. Previous research has already shown that 10 days acclimation to a mild cold environment (14-15°C) can enhance insulin sensitivity. However, the duration in the cold environment was 6 hours per day which may not be practical for everyone. Therefore, the present study will investigate the effect of a shorter, and more intense cold exposure on an individual's glucose tolerance. It is hypothesised that cold exposure before consuming a glucose drink will enhance glucose clearance.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Cold exposure Participants will be wrapped in a water-perfused suit. The temperature of the suit will be lowered to 10°C. From the onset of shivering, the participants will remain in the suit for 1 hour. |
Other: Temperature
Water-perfused suit.
|
| Other: Thermoneutral (Control) Participants will be wrapped in a water-perfused suit. The temperature of the suit will remain at a thermoneutral temperature (32°C) to avoid shivering and excessive sweating. The duration will be matched to that during the cold exposure. |
Other: Temperature
Water-perfused suit.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Glucose and insulin concentrations in response to an oral glucose load [3 hours post glucose drink, measured 90 minutes after the cold exposure]
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Energy expenditure measured using indirect calorimetry [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Core temperature measured using a telemetric pill [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Skin blood flow measured using laser doppler flowmetry [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Shivering activity assessed using surface electromyography [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured using an automatic blood pressure device [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Thermal sensation [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
How warm or cold the participant perceives the environment. Assessed with a visual analogue scale (scale ranging from cold to hot).
- Skin temperature measured using iButtons [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Heart rate measured using chest heart rate monitor sensor [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
- Comfort [30 minutes before and during the 1 hour of cold exposure]
How comfortable or uncomfortable the participant perceives the environment. Comfort assessed with a visual analogue scale (scale ranging from very comfortable to very uncomfortable).
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria of healthy population:
-
Signed informed consent.
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White European.
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Male.
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Age 18 - 40 years at the start of the study.
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BMI ≥ 20 and < 30 kg/m2.
Exclusion Criteria of healthy population:
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Smoking.
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Active diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes mellitus, liver, kidney, cancer or other).
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Cold-acclimated (takes daily cold baths, works in a refrigerated environment, or regular cold water swimmer).
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Unstable body weight (gain or loss > 5kg in last 3 months).
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Currently undertaking a diet.
Inclusion Criteria of prediabetes population:
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Signed informed consent.
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White European.
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Male or female.
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Women should be postmenopausal or use hormonal contraceptives.
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Age 30 - 75 years at the start of the study.
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BMI ≥ 25 and < 35 kg/m2.
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Generally healthy, no medication use that interferes with metabolism. If volunteers need medication (e.g. statin drugs, NSAIDs), it will be reviewed with the dependent physician on an individual basis.
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Impaired fasting glucose (5.6 mM to 6.9 mM) and/or blood glucose values 7.8-11.0 mM 2h after glucose drink consumption during OGTT in screening.
Exclusion Criteria of prediabetes population:
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Smoking.
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Active diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes mellitus, liver, kidney, cancer or other).
-
Cold-acclimated (takes daily cold baths, works in a refrigerated environment, or regular cold water swimmer).
-
Unstable body weight (gain or loss > 5kg in last 3 months).
-
Currently undertaking a diet.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maastricht University | Maastricht | Netherlands | 6229 ER |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Maastricht University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt, PhD, Maastricht University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- COGT