NCT07774676Recruiting
Effects of Obesity on Autophagy and mTORC1 Signalling in Skeletal Muscle
Understanding the Effects of Obesity on Autophagic and mTORC1 Signalling Following Resistance Exercise and Protein Ingestion in Skeletal Muscle.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 19 Aug 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
It is well known that individuals living with overweight or obesity are not able to activate skeletal muscle growth processes to the same extent as lean individuals following activities such as weightlifting (resistance exercise) or protein ingestion. However, the underlying cell signalling pathways which may be regulating these impairments are not fully understood. This study aims to understand if skeletal muscle signalling responses to resistance exercise and protein intake differ between lean individuals and those living with overweight or obesity. The investigators will recruit a cohort of lean individuals and a cohort of individuals living with overweight/obesity who will undertake a bout of single-leg resistance exercise and consume a protein-rich drink. Before and after this, muscle samples will be obtained from each leg of participants at different timepoints to understand the effects of exercise and feeding combined (exercised leg) and feeding alone (rested leg) on different cellular processes which regulate muscle growth. This will allow the investigators to understand if their are specific pathways within skeletal muscle which could be targeted in future interventions to overcome impaired protein metabolism in those living with overweight/obesity.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 24 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 12 Aug 2026
- Start date
- 15 Apr 2026
- Primary completion date
- Dec 2026
- Lead sponsor
- University of Birmingham
- Diseases
- Obesity
- NCT number
- NCT07774676
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Planned participants: 24
- From 15 Apr 2026 to the primary completion date, Dec 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Currently using anti-diabetes medication (insulin, metformin, sulphonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP- 4 inhibitors, GLP-1 inhibitors).
- Currently taking cholesterol lowering medications (statins)
- Currently engaged in active weight loss programmes or using weight loss medication
- Currently using anti-coagulation medication
- Previous adverse reaction to local anaethetic (lidocaine or marcaine).
Other illness
- Type 1 diabetes
- Current gastrointestinal issue/condition that may affect digestion and absorption of protein drink
- Individuals who follow a vegan diet or have intolerance/allergies to Whey protein.
Lab values
- Chronic kidney disease (moderate to severe reduction in kidney function), defined as eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2 identified by self declaration.
Other
- Pregnant or breast feeding
- Hypothyroidism
- Current or recent weakness/injury to either leg that may affect muscle function or ability to exercise
Who the study is looking for
- Age - 18-45yrs
- BMI - 18.5-24.9kg/m2 OR \>28kg/m2 (self-declaration, or calculated by research team based on height and weight)
- Weight Stable i.e. no change in weight of more than 5% in previous 6 months
- Meeting UK Physical activity guidelines (150 mins moderate or 75 mins vigorous activity/wk)
- Not involved in structured exercise training in previous 6 months
- No other diagnosed metabolic or neuromuscular conditions (self-declaration)
Age in the registry: 18 years to 45 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Birmingham | United Kingdom | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.