NCT05965973

Brief Summary

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases, affecting 25% to 30% of the global population and nearly one third of the population in North America. NAFLD is defined as an excessive accumulation of lipids within hepatocytes in the absence of significant alcohol consumption or other causes of chronic liver disease. These patients usually present with hepatic steatosis observed on imaging studies and elevated liver enzymes with clinical features of insulin resistance (IR), including pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and visceral obesity. The minimum criterion for a histologic diagnosis of NAFLD is \>5 percent steatotic hepatocytes in a liver tissue section. The exact mechanism for the development of NAFLD is unclear, although the current evidence indicates that it is likely a complex interplay among neurohormones, intestinal dysbiosis, nutrition, and genetics. IR plays a crucial role in NAFLD pathophysiology mainly by increasing adipocyte lipolysis, resulting in the circulation of more free fatty acids available for hepatic uptake and increasing hepatic de novo lipogenesis. There is yet no approved pharmacologic option for the treatment of NAFLD. Current international guidelines on NAFLD emphasize the importance of lifestyle modifications for all patients with NAFLD and recommend 7-10% of weight loss and a "healthy diet", without suggesting any particular diet. Recent data provide some support for the beneficial role of low carbohydrate (CHO)/high unsaturated fatty acid (both monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs)) dietary patterns for decreasing hepatic steatosis. This proposal addresses this important research gap by leading to advances regarding the impact of a short-term low CHO/high PUFAs/MUFAs dietary intervention on improving hepatic gene expression profiles and lipid composition in individuals with pre-diabetes. The proposed study is unique because all meals and foods will be provided to participants under carefully controlled isocaloric conditions to maintain a constant bodyweight with optimal energy and macronutrient intake control. The primary objective of the proposed research is to investigate how replacement of dietary CHOs by unsaturated fatty acids (both PUFAs and MUFAs) affects liver fat composition and liver transcriptomics in subjects with pre-diabetes.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
6

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2023

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 9, 2023

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 12, 2023

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 28, 2023

Completed
2.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

October 9, 2024

Status Verified

October 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

2.6 years

First QC Date

June 12, 2023

Last Update Submit

October 7, 2024

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Change in the expression of key genes in lipid metabolism including LDL-receptor, acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 2, apolipoprotein B, proproprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein

    At Day 3 and day 20 (at the end of the two 3-day diets)

  • Change in the expression of key genes in liver inflammation including C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-15, cell adhesion molecules, E-selectin

    At Day 3 and day 20 (at the end of the two 3-day diets)

  • Change in the expression of key genes in hepatic fibrogenesis including transforming growth factor beta 1, a-smooth muscle actin, type-1 collagen, connective tissue growth factor

    At Day 3 and day 20 (at the end of the two 3-day diets)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in liver's key lipid pathways (lipidomics) including lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylcholine, diglyceride.

    At Day 3 and day 20 (at the end of the two 3-day diets)

  • Identify bacteria strains involved in the control of blood glucose such as C elegans.

    At Day 3 and day 20 (at the end of the two 3-day diets)

Study Arms (2)

Low fat diet

EXPERIMENTAL

During 3 days, subjects eat a diet low in fat (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 65.0% from carbohydrates; 20.0% from fat: 4.0% from saturated fat; 10.0% from monounsaturated fat; 6.0% from polyunsaturated fat

Other: Low fat dietOther: High fat diet

High fat diet

EXPERIMENTAL

During 3 days, subjects eat a diet high in fat (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 45.0% from carbohydrates; 40.0% from fat: 8.0% from saturated fat; 22.0% from monounsaturated fat; 10.0% from polyunsaturated fat

Other: Low fat dietOther: High fat diet

Interventions

During 3 days, subjects eat a diet low in fat (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 65.0% from carbohydrates; 20.0% from fat: 4.0% from saturated fat; 10.0% from monounsaturated fat; 6.0% from polyunsaturated fat

High fat dietLow fat diet

During 3 days, subjects eat a diet high in fat (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 45.0% from carbohydrates; 40.0% from fat: 8.0% from saturated fat; 22.0% from monounsaturated fat; 10.0% from polyunsaturated fat

High fat dietLow fat diet

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Males and females 18 to 60 years of age.
  • Non-smoker
  • Waist circumference \> 102 cm for men and \> 88 cm for women.
  • Plasma triglyceride levels \> 1,7 mmol/L at the screening visit.
  • Fasting plasma glucose levels \> 6,1 mmol/L at the screening visit.
  • Fasting plasma insulin levels above the upper limit of normal at the screening visit.
  • Subjects must be willing to give written informed consent and able to adhere to the diet schedule and visit schedule.
  • Patients should be otherwise healthy, without abnormal renal function or coagulation.

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with extreme dyslipidemias, such as familial hypercholesterolemia will be excluded.
  • Subjects will be excluded if they have cardiovascular disease (CHD, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease) or if they are taking other medications known to affect lipoprotein metabolism (eg. steroids, beta blockers, thiazide diuretics, other lipid lowering agents, significant alcohol intake etc.).
  • Subjects who are in a situation or have any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with optimal participation in the study.
  • Individuals with a history of mental instability, drug or alcohol abuse within the past 2 years or individuals who have been treated or are being treated for severe psychiatric illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with optimal participation in the study.
  • Disorders of the hematologic, digestive, or central nervous systems, including cerebrovascular disease and degenerative disease, that would limit study evaluation or participation.
  • Known impairment of renal function (creatinine \>2.0 mg/dL), dysproteinemia, nephrotic syndrome, or other renal disease.
  • Subjects with coagulopathy (prothrombin time \[PT\] or partial thromboplastin time \[PTT\] at Visit 1 higher than 1.5 times control).
  • Patients who are known to have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Patients who have used any investigational drug within 30 days of the first clinic visit.
  • Diabetic patients are excluded from the study. Uncontrolled endocrine or metabolic disease known to influence serum lipids or lipoproteins. Clinically euthyroid subjects on replacement doses of thyroid hormone are eligible for enrollment.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF)

Québec, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Glucose Intolerance

Interventions

Diet, Fat-RestrictedDiet, High-Fat

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

HyperglycemiaGlucose Metabolism DisordersMetabolic DiseasesNutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diet TherapyNutrition TherapyTherapeuticsDietNutritional Physiological PhenomenaDiet, Food, and NutritionPhysiological Phenomena

Study Officials

  • Patrick Couture, MD, PhD

    Laval University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Masking Details
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
MD, PhD, FRCP (C)

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 12, 2023

First Posted

July 28, 2023

Study Start

June 9, 2023

Primary Completion

December 31, 2025

Study Completion

December 31, 2025

Last Updated

October 9, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-10

Locations