IL-6 Regulation of Substrate Metabolism and Influence of Obesity
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2020-04-03
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of blocking IL-6 signaling with
tocilizumab on lipid, glucose and protein metabolism during rest and exercise in healthy and
obese humans.
Interleukin-6 is a molecule produced by a variety of cells and impacts on energy metabolism
during fasting and fed conditions. Systemic IL-6 levels are low but increase acutely in
response to fasting, exercise and infection, and also chronically in response to obesity and
other conditions of lowgrade inflammation.Our recent human intervention study showed that
IL-6 receptor blockade prevents exercise training from reducing visceral fat mass.
Whether IL-6 receptor blockade directly regulates lipolysis and/or lipid oxidation in humans
is however unclear. Therefore, this study will be performed to investigate the physiological
role of IL-6 on lipid, glucose and protein metabolism in humans.