BiliMetHealth- Energy Metabolism and Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) Activity in Individuals With Gilbert's Syndrome (GS) and Healthy Controls
The goal of this case-control study is to investigate energy metabolism and brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome (GS) and controls. The main focus of the study is to analyze: 1. the link between bilirubin metabolism and metabolic health. 2. energy metabolism and body composition in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome and control subjects 3. brown adipose tissue activity in Gilbert's syndrome and healthy controls. Participants will undergo the following investigations: 1. cold exposure 2. PET-CT imaging with 18-F-FDG 3. MRI imaging of liver, abdominal fat and muscle 4. blood sampling 5. indirect calorimetry 6. bioelectrical impedance analysis 7. infrared thermography Researchers will compare individuals with GS and control subjects in terms of metabolic health, body composition and BAT activity.
• written consent, age between 18 and 65 years of age, liver marker (AST, ALT, GGT) \< 2x of the upper norm range, non-smoker, moderate physical activity, ability to understand the requirements of the course of study
⁃ Cases: (Gilbert-Syndrom):
• Total bilirubin in the blood \> 1.2 mg/dL (17.1 μM)
• Unconjugated (indirect bilirubin) \> 1 mg/dL
⁃ Controls (non-Gilbert-Syndrom):
• Total bilirubin in the blood ≤ 1.2 mg/dL (17.1 μM)
• Unconjugated (indirect bilirubin) ≤ 1 mg/dL