RecruitingInterventional

Investigating how infusing nutrients into the gut affects gut hormones and appetite

This study aims to understand how different nutrients in your food affect the hormones in your gut that control appetite. We know plant-based foods can make you feel full, but we don't fully understand why or what specific nutrients are responsible. Researchers will gently place tubes into specific parts of the gut of healthy volunteers and infuse nutrients, like those from chickpeas, to see which hormones are released and how they affect feelings of fullness. The goal is to discover which parts of the gut and which nutrients are key to making you feel satisfied after eating. This knowledge could help in designing new plant-based foods that keep you feeling full for longer, potentially helping with weight loss and fighting obesity.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

Start

17 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Investigating gut hormone and satiety responses

What is this study about?

You know how some meals leave you feeling full and satisfied, while others don't? Our bodies have a clever way of telling us when we've had enough to eat, and a big part of that involves special messengers called hormones in our gut. When we eat, food is broken down into small bits called nutrients. These nutrients then interact with special cells in our gut, which release hormones. These hormones travel to our brain and tell it how much energy and nutrients we've taken in, helping to control how much more we want to eat.

This study wants to dig deeper into this process. We're particularly interested in plant-based foods, like chickpeas, and how their nutrients influence these gut hormones. Previous research suggests that how a plant food is structured (for example, whether its cells are kept whole or broken down) can change how the gut reacts. However, we don't yet know exactly which specific nutrients trigger these hormones to make us feel full, or where in the gut these signals actually start.

To find this out, scientists will carefully put tubes into specific areas of the volunteers' guts. Through these tubes, they will deliver different nutrients – similar to those you'd get from digesting chickpeas. By watching how the body's hormones respond over three hours, they hope to pinpoint which parts of the gut and which nutrients are most important for creating that feeling of fullness. This information could be really valuable for designing new, healthier plant-based foods that help people feel satisfied for longer, which could be a useful tool in tackling obesity.

Key takeaways

This study explores how gut hormones control appetite.
It aims to identify specific nutrients and gut areas that make us feel full.
Involves a screening and a 3-day inpatient visit at Hammersmith Hospital.
Tubes will be gently placed in the gut to infuse nutrients.
Results could help develop healthier plant-based foods for weight management.
Small risks, like temporary throat discomfort and very low radiation exposure, are involved.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 65. Your body mass index (BMI) should be between 18 and 30, which is generally considered a healthy weight range or slightly overweight. You also need to be able to understand the study and agree to take part in writing.

There are certain conditions that would prevent you from joining. For instance, if you have certain gut diseases like Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome, or if you have an abnormal heart tracing (ECG). You also can't take part if you've recently had a significant weight change, are a smoker, or have issues with substance or excessive alcohol use. If you are pregnant or have conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney, liver, or pancreas problems, you won't be able to join. This is because these conditions might change how your hormones work, which could make the study results unclear.

Additionally, if you've recently started certain medications (like anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or some hormones), had surgery on your nose, or taken part in another research study or donated blood in the last three months, you won't be eligible. This helps ensure all participants are as similar as possible, so the results are accurate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Is your body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30?
Are you generally healthy and don't have certain long-term illnesses like diabetes or gut diseases?
Have you avoided smoking, excessive alcohol, or drug use in the past?
Have you not had a big weight change (more than 5kg) in the last two months?
Have you not taken part in another research study or donated blood in the last 12 weeks?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are eligible and decide to take part, you will first attend a screening visit. This visit will involve answering some questions and having blood tests to make sure you fit the study requirements. If everything is okay after the screening, you will then have one more visit which lasts for three days. This three-day visit will take place at the NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility in Hammersmith Hospital.

During this main visit, two special thin tubes will be carefully placed into your gut. One tube will go into the upper part of your small intestine, and the other will go further down. These tubes are used to deliver the nutrients directly into your gut. Researchers will then monitor your hormone responses over three hours after the nutrients are given. You will be in the hospital for the duration of this three-day visit. The study aims to run from January 2023 to January 2028, and a total of 15 healthy volunteers will be recruited.

Potential risks and benefits

You won't directly benefit from taking part in this study, but your contribution will help scientists understand more about how food affects our appetite. This knowledge could lead to better ways of treating people with obesity in the future. If the screening tests show any health issues, your GP will be informed to ensure you receive appropriate follow-up care. Every study has potential risks. The nutrients infused are naturally found in your gut after eating certain foods like chickpeas and are not generally expected to cause side effects. You might feel a little discomfort or get minor bruising when a small tube (cannula) is placed in your arm for blood samples. The main procedure involves placing tubes into your gut using a special type of X-ray called fluoroscopy. While X-rays use a small amount of radiation, which carries a very tiny, long-term risk of cancer, everyone has a natural risk of cancer, and this additional risk is extremely small. You might experience some temporary discomfort in your throat when the tubes are placed or removed, such as a sore throat, changes in voice, or difficulty swallowing, but this often eases once you start eating with the tubes in place. Very rarely, there can be risks if a tube is not placed correctly. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to find out which specific nutrients and parts of the gut are key to making you feel full after eating, especially from plant-based foods.

How long will I need to be involved if I take part?

You'll have an initial screening visit, followed by one main visit that lasts for three days as an inpatient at the research facility.

Will I eat normal food during the main visit?

The study involves infusing nutrients directly into your gut through tubes, rather than eating full meals, to specifically target hormone responses.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in the UK.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you are completely free to leave the study at any time without needing to give a reason.

How to find out more

Mingzhu Cai

m.cai18@imperial.ac.uk +44 (0)7395757128 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.