Effect of Tirzepatide on Brown Adipose Tissue in Obesity

Summary

This study is testing whether a new anti-obesity medicine called tirzepatide can increase the activity of special fat cells in the body that help burn energy. These fat cells are known as brown and beige fat. The study includes women with obesity and will last 24 weeks. Participants will receive either tirzepatide or a placebo (a look-alike injection with no active drug). Researchers will measure the amount and activity of brown fat using medical imaging (PET/CT, MRI, and thermal camera), and examine fat tissue samples to look for changes in gene activity and structure that show beige fat activation. The study will also evaluate how these fat changes affect body weight, energy use, hormone levels, blood sugar, and other health markers. The goal is to learn whether tirzepatide helps improve metabolism by increasing energy-burning fat in addition to reducing appetite.

Timeline

Start

2025-03-18

Primary completion

2025-11-29

Completion

2025-12-20

Publications

• Herman R, Jensterle M, Horvat S, Lezaic L, Snoj Z, Pusnik I, Goricar K, Cor A, Pusnik L, Mlacnik V, Hanzelic L, Janez A. Effect of tirzepatide-induced weight loss on adipose tissue in obesity: rationale and design of the randomized placebo-controlled Tirzepatide Brown and Beige Adipose Tissue Activation (TABFAT) trial. Trials. 2025 Aug 22;26(1):300. doi: 10.1186/s13063-025-09045-9.

Drugs

Indications