Fat-Associated Lymphoid Clusters in Obesity and Inflammation (FALCON)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Fat-Associated Lymphoid Clusters in Obesity and Inflammation (FALCON)

  • IRAS ID

    194624

  • Contact name

    Damian James Mole

  • Contact email

    damian.mole@ed.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    4 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    This observational experimental medicine study aims to increase our understanding of the role of fat and immune cells in inflammation in obesity. Participants will be recruited from the pool of persons presenting to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with suspected acute appendicitis or symptomatic gallstones. Recruitment will be as described in detail elsewhere. While participants are undergoing surgery (either keyhole or open surgery to remove the gallbladder or appendix) as part of their routine clinical care, samples of inflammatory cells from peripheral blood, peritoneal washings, intra-abdominal fat and the lining of the abdominal cavity will be analysed in the laboratory and interpreted in the context of body mass index and amount of inflammation present. The laboratory tests will include determining which cell subtypes are present, and how they behave scientifically when treated in cell culture conditions in the laboratory. The results will increase our knowledge in this important area and allow us to develop strategies to regulate inflammation in the context of obesity. No change in treatment, intervention or randomisation is proposed in the present study. There is no proposed direct benefit to participants although we hope that the findings will eventually help others suffering from inflammatory disease.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 02

  • REC reference

    16/SS/0042

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Feb 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion