NCT02941172

CB1 Receptors in Human Brown Adipose Tissue

Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors in Human Brown Adipose Tissue

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 18 (actual)
• Sponsor: Turku University Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study investigates cannabinoid CB1 receptors in human brown adipose tissue (BAT) and other tissues using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Subjects will be scanned in room temperature conditions and during controlled cold exposure, and the density of CB1 receptors in BAT and other tissues will be quantified. The investigators hypothesize, that cannabinoid signaling is increased in cold conditions, when BAT is metabolically active. Understanding the mechanisms of BAT activation and the role of endocannabinoids in humans is important and beneficial in fighting against the epidemic of obesity and diabetes.

Detailed description

Endocannabinoids have an important role in regulating energy balance and metabolism. Cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1) are found in several tissues such as brown adipose tissue (BAT). Endocannabinoids and CB1 receptors participate in the control of lipid and glucose metabolism, and blockage of CB1 receptors has been found to improve metabolic factors linked to obesity and cardiovascular disease, making CB1 antagonists potential drugs against obesity and diabetes. In this study the investigators use a PET radiotracer \[18F\]FMPEP-d2, which binds to CB1 receptors in vivo, to quantify the CB1 receptor density in BAT, white adipose tissue, muscle and the brain. This study is done once in warm conditions and once during controlled cold exposure. To verify whether the subject has metabolically active BAT, an additional PET scan with the radiotracer \[18F\]FDG is performed.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Cold exposure	Controlled cold exposure is performed before and during PET scan
OTHER	[18F]FMPEP-d2	PET radiotracer used in imaging
OTHER	[18F]FDG	PET radiotracer used in imaging

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-01-01
• Primary completion: 2017-07-30
• Completion: 2017-12-30
• First posted: 2016-10-21
• Last updated: 2018-12-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Finland