To test whether chronic intermittent cold exposure is more effective in programmed body weight loss when compared to conventional programmed weight loss.
To measure the metabolic responses (e.g. in the white and brown adipose tissue, muscle and circulating markers) of treatment with chronic intermittent cold exposure and conventional treatment
To measure tissue specific changes of weight loss and the treatment with chronic intermittent cold exposure in glucose uptake rate in adipose organ (white and brown adipose tissue), liver, myocardium, skeletal muscle and brain
To measure tissue specific biochemical indicators before and after treatment with chronic intermittent cold exposure from white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle.
To compare changes in body composition and fat distribution after weight loss using chronic cold exposure or using conventional method
Obesity
Whole body cryotherapy
counseling and behavioral therapy for weight loss
Ages Eligible for Study
Adult (18-64)
Sexes Eligible for Study
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
BMI > 30 (inclusive)
Body weight less than 120 kg
Weight stability for 3 months
Plasma triglyceride concentration less than 3.0 mmol/l
Plasma HDL-cholesterol more than 0.9 mmol/l in males and more than 1.0 mmol/l in females
Blood pressure less than 140/90 mmHg (inclusive)
Normal glucose tolerance or impaired glucose tolerance but not diabetes (fasting glucose < 7.0 mmol/l or 2 h glucose in the oral glucose tolerance test < 11.1 mmol/l)
Exclusion Criteria:
Smoking
Frequent weight loss attempts
Pregnancy or lactation
Diabetes mellitus
Hypo/hyperthyreosis
Cardiovascular disease, stroke or neurological disorder
Medication (antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs, lipid lowering drugs, antidepressants, corticosteroids)
Claustrophobia
Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator could create a hazard to the subject safety, endanger the study procedures or interfere with the interpretation of study results.
Presence of any ferromagnetic objects that would make MRI imaging contraindicated