Chronotherapeutic Lifestyle Intervention for Diabetes (Eurhythdia)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Chronotherapeutic lifestyle intervention for diabetes and obesity to reset the circadian rhythm and improve cardiometabolic risk in the European population
IRAS ID
118247
Contact name
Peter Grant
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Unviersity of Leeds
Eudract number
2012-005255-17
Research summary
Modern European lifestyles have dramatically changed the daily and seasonal rhythm of our lives, with light exposure, food intake, working patterns and physical activity no longer restricted to daytime hours. These lifestyle changes disturb our internal body clock, which is regulated by the human hormone melatonin, leading to changes in metabolic regulation, e.g. disturbed regulation of blood sugar, associated with increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Some individuals may be more susceptible to lifestyle effects on body clock regulation. Relatives of people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at increased risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease, and may be more susceptible to the detrimental effects of modern lifestyle on body clock regulation. Administration of melatonin before sleeping has beneficial effects on the body clock and may be beneficial in treating the adverse effects of modern lifestyle on risk for diabetes and heart disease in susceptible individuals. To investigate this, the EuRhythDia Programme of research was established, funded by the European Commission. The UK arm of the Programme will recruit 160 relatives of patients with T2DM. We aim to test whether simple treatments aimed at normalising body clock regulation (supplementing melatonin) can influence daily and seasonal changes in metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in relatives of patients with T2DM. By doing this study we hope to find out more about the way that different treatments can be used to affect the regulation of blood sugar and other risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0172
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion