RISSCI-1 Blood Cholesterol Response Study (RISSCI-1)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03270527 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : September 1, 2017
Last Update Posted : October 25, 2021
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Lipids Lipid Metabolism Healthy | Other: High SFA diet (Diet 1) Other: Low SFA diet (Diet 2) | Not Applicable |
The LDL cholesterol-raising effect of saturated fatty acids (SFA) is complex, and highly variable between individuals because of differences in the metabolism of dietary fat and blood cholesterol between people. While these differences in metabolism make it difficult to study how dietary SFA influences LDL-cholesterol in large numbers of people, they can be measured in the laboratory and used as biological markers to distinguish between people who respond well from those who will respond less well to moderate-fat diets, which are lower in SFA.
The main aim of this study is to measure the amount of variation in blood LDL-cholesterol in healthy male volunteers in response to the replacement of SFA with unsaturated fats, and to select LDL-C responders from non-responders for a subsequent metabolic study ('RISSC-2'). Estimate of statistical power and sample size for 'RISSCI-1': A decrease of 0.16 mmol/L (SD 0.54) in our primary outcome of fasting plasma LDL-C between the high- and low-SFA diets, as observed in a previous randomly controlled trial, will require a sample size of 92 participants, at 80% power and 5% significance level. An estimated attrition rate of 15% will increase this sample size to 106 participants. To recruit this sample of participants, we anticipate having to screen 150 volunteers (75 at each site).
Specific objectives:
- Undertake a dietary intervention study to examine the effects of two, 4 week diets that differ in their composition of fatty acids. The first diet ('Diet 1') will contain ~18% of its total energy as saturated fatty acids (SFA), while the second diet ('Diet 2') will contain ~10% of its total energy as SFA. Blood, urine and stool samples taken at the beginning (week 0) and end of Diet 1 (week 4), and end of Diet 2 (week 8), will be analysed to measure blood LDL-cholesterol and other relevant blood, urine and faecal metabolites. The white blood cell buffy coat will also be isolated from the blood samples collected at the baseline visit to enable genotyping of relevant genes involved in the absorption and metabolism of dietary fat.
- To examine the data for evidence of associations between the changes in blood LDL- cholesterol, and the physical and biochemical characteristics of the participants as possible determinants of the variation in serum cholesterol response. This will include measurement of a common genetic polymorphism in APOLIPOPROTEIN E, as an established determinant of variation in blood cholesterol in response to dietary SFA.
- To identify two subgroups of individuals whose blood LDL-cholesterol either responds ('Responders') or show little or no response ('Non-responders') on changing from Diet 1 to Diet 2, for participation in the follow-up study ('RISSCI-2'), which will be conducted at the Universities of Surrey, Reading and Imperial College London. In this follow-up study, the participants will be asked to repeat a similar study protocol as for RISSCI-1, and undergo more detailed measurements to determine how saturated fat is metabolised in the body.
Hypothesis:
In accordance with the variation in blood LDL-cholesterol response, that many studies have reported previously following substitution of dietary saturated with unsaturated fats, the investigators hypothesise that consuming Diet 1 (a high saturated fat diet) for 4 weeks followed by diet 2 (a low saturated fat/high unsaturated fat diet) for a further 4 weeks, will: 1) produce a variable distribution of responses in LDL-cholesterol that will enable the study of associations between the participants' baseline characteristics as possible determinants of the observed variation in blood LDL-cholesterol response, and 2) identify two distinct subgroups of individuals who either respond or show little or no response in their blood LDL- cholesterol. These distinct groups will be defined by the top and bottom ~10% of change in the concentration of blood LDL-cholesterol.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 109 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Sequential Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Prevention |
Official Title: | Reading Imperial Surrey Saturated Fat Cholesterol Intervention (RISSCI) Study. RISSCI-1 Blood Cholesterol Response Study |
Actual Study Start Date : | September 1, 2017 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | July 31, 2019 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | July 31, 2019 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: High SFA diet to low SFA diet
Participants will undergo, sequentially, a high SFA diet (Diet 1) followed by a low SFA diet (Diet 2) for 4 weeks each. Study visits will occur before and after each dietary intervention period. To comply with current UK dietary recommendations, Diets 1 and 2 will both contain ~35% energy from total fat. These diets will be consumed within the homes of free-living participants, by the substitution of ~40g of habitual fat, with either SFA-rich or mono/poly-unsaturated fatty acid-rich (MUFA/PUFA) cooking oils, spreads and snack foods, while maintaining their habitual diet (consistent intake of protein and carbohydrates, including dietary fibre). This will be achieved using a dietary exchange model developed and peer-reviewed for a previous dietary intervention study ('DIVAS') at the University of Reading, U.K.
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Other: High SFA diet (Diet 1)
'Diet 1' will contain ~18% of its total energy as SFA . Other: Low SFA diet (Diet 2) 'Diet 2' will contain ~10% of its total energy as SFA. The SFA-replacement fats will be mixture of PUFA/MUFA. |
- Changes in fasting total cholesterol (consisting of LDL-cholesterol and HDL) concentrations [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Fasting triacylglycerol [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- HDL immune functions [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- HDL anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant (PON-1) properties [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- HDL capacity to promote cholesterol efflux (ex-vivo) [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Fasting insulin, glucose [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Adhesion molecules, markers of vascular function [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Inflammatory markers & adipokines [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- LDL-R gene expression [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Other relevant genes involved in the absorption and metabolism of dietary fat [ Time Frame: Baseline ]Polymorphic genes with potential influence on the serum LDL response to dietary saturated fat, e.g.: ATP-binding cassette proteins (cholesterol efflux proteins) ABCG5 (e.g. C1950G) ABCG8 (e.g. D19H, C1895T), functional polymorphisms in the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and bile acid transporters (e.g. solute carrier organics anion 1B1). Fatty acid desaturases (FADS1 and FADS2). The patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein (PNPLA3) (e.g. rs738409 C/G), eNOS. Lipid/cholesterol homeostasis: serum apolipoprotein genes: APOE (ε2,ε3,ε4 e.g. rs429358 and rs7412), APOA-I (e.g. -75G/A), APOA4 (e.g. 360-2), APOA5 (e.g. -113/T>:c), APOCIII, APOB (e.g. -516C/T). Lipase genes: (e.g. LPL, HL, MGLL). Lipoprotein receptor genes (e.g. pvu11 in the LDL receptor), lipid transfer proteins (e.g. CETP e.g Taq1B, MTP), and other polymorphic genes related to the absorption and metabolism of dietary fat and regulation of lipid/cholesterol homeostasis.
- Metabolomic analysis for the determination of the low molecular weight metabolite profiles in the biological fluids [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]Analyses conducted by Imperial College London
- Changes in faecal bacterial population [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Weight [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]BMI will also be calculated (kg/ height in m^2)
- Fat mass [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Fat free mass [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Waist circumference [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Hip circumference [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Blood pressure [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]
- Fasting vascular stiffness [ Time Frame: baseline, 4 weeks (after diet 1), 8 weeks (after diet 2) ]Measured via pulse wave assessment using the Mobil-O-graph device.
- Genotyping for apolipoprotein E to determine the impact of this genotype on changes in the primary and secondary outcome measurements in response to dietary fat intake [ Time Frame: Baseline ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 35 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Male |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- BMI of 19-32 kg/m2
- Fasting serum total cholesterol < 7.5 mmol/l and triacylglycerol < 2.3 mmol/l
Exclusion Criteria:
- Smokers
- Medical history of myocardial ischemia or stroke in the past 12 months;
- Diabetes (defined as fasting glucose > 7.0 mmol/l) or other endocrine disorders; kidney, liver, pancreas or gastrointestinal disorders
- Hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg),
- Cancer
- Medication for hyperlipidaemia (e.g. statins), hypertension, inflammation or prescribed antibiotics within the last three months
- Drinking in excess of 14 units of alcohol per week,
- Anaemia (<130 g/L haemoglobin), or planning on a weight-reducing regime
- Taking any dietary supplements known to influence lipids/gut microbiota (eg. plant stanols, fish oil, phytochemicals, natural laxatives, probiotics and prebiotics)
- Any other unusual medical history or diet and lifestyle habits or practices that would preclude volunteers from participating in a dietary intervention and metabolic study.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03270527
United Kingdom | |
Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading | |
Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom, RG6 6AP | |
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Surrey | |
Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom, GU2 7WG |
Principal Investigator: | Bruce Griffin, PhD | University of Surrey | |
Principal Investigator: | Julie Lovegrove, PhD | University of Reading |
Documents provided by Bruce A. Griffin, University of Surrey:
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | Bruce A. Griffin, Professor, University of Surrey |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03270527 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
RN0307A |
First Posted: | September 1, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | October 25, 2021 |
Last Verified: | October 2021 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Dietary fat modification Lipids LDL cholesterol Dietary fatty acids Saturated fat |