NCT05653258 · Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Single Nuclei RNA-seq to Map Adipose Cellular Populations and Senescent Cells in Older Subjects
What this study is about
All participants will undergo baseline biopsies of injected under the skin abdominal adipose tissue for cellular/molecular profiling via snRNA-seq and metabolic/physiological assessments (insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and β-cell function). Older obese participants will be randomly assigned into three treatment group$1: lifestyle intervention (n=24), senolytics (n=24), or placebo (n=24).
View original scientific description
All participants will undergo baseline biopsies of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue for cellular/molecular profiling via snRNA-seq and metabolic/physiological assessments (insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and β-cell function). Older obese participants will be randomized into three arms: lifestyle intervention (n=24), senolytics (n=24), or placebo (n=24).
Interventions
OTHER
Lifestyle Intervention
1. Exercise: Subjects will undergo a combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention. The investigators propose a multi-modal training program because they improve metabolic outcomes and adding resistance training reduces the risk of muscle loss during weight loss. Subjects will exercise in the gym for three sessions per week for 10 weeks under supervision of an exercise physiologist. On each session, aerobic exercise will be followed by resistance exercise. 2. Diet: The aim of the dietary intervention is to reduce caloric intake sufficient to result in 8-10% weight loss, while incorporating behavioral and dietary strategies to maximize adherence and to minimize risk of muscle and bone loss. Subjects will attend small-group sessions led by a dietitian for changing their dietary composition to follow American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines.
DRUG
Dasatinib 100 MG
100 mg of dasatinib (D) daily for 3 consecutive days plus quercetin (Q) for the same 3 consecutive days, followed by a 25-day (+/- 2 day) no-drug period to complete a single round. This will be repeated twice more until completing 3 rounds total in approximately 10 consecutive weeks.
DRUG
Quercetin 1000mg
Quercetin (Q) (4) 250 mg capsules daily (total 1000 mg daily) plus dasatinib (D) same 3 consecutive days, followed by a 25-day (+/- 2 day) no-drug period to complete a single round. This will be repeated twice more until completing 3 rounds total in approximately 10 consecutive weeks.
DRUG
Placebo
Subjects will receive a placebo (methylcellulose) to provide a similar mass, number of tablets/ capsules, and frequency as the senolytic arm.
PROCEDURE
Abdominal adipose tissue biopsy
All participants will undergo baseline biopsies of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue for cellular/molecular profiling via snRNA-seq
Primary outcome measures
Insulin sensitivity
Time frame: Week 4 and Week 15
Change in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity
Glucose tolerance
Time frame: Baseline to Week 14
Measurement of change in glucose tolerance using a glucose tolerance test
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Age: younger lean group 18-30 years with BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; younger obese group 18-30 with BMI 30.0 -39.9; older obese group ≥ 65 years with BMI 30.0-39.9
- All races and ethnic groups
- Community dwelling
- Sedentary (≤1.5 h of exercise per week)
- Nondiabetic (fasting plasma glucose \< 126 mg/dl, 2-h glucose during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) \< 140mg/dl, and A1c \< 6.5%
- For all female participants who are women of childbearing potential (WOCBP), who are not pregnant or breast feeding, at least one of the following conditions must apply: A documented hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy Use of a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of \<1% per year), preferably with low user dependency (implantable progesterone-only hormone contraception, intrauterine hormone releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner) during the intervention period of the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study intervention to eliminate any reproductive safety risk of the study drug. Use of a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of \<1% per year), with high user dependency, (oral/intravaginal/injectable combined estrogen and progesterone contraception, oral/injectable progesterone only hormone contraception, sexual abstinence) during the intervention period and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study intervention to eliminate any reproductive safety risk of the study drug. In addition to the highly effective methods: male or female condom with or without spermicide; cervical cap, diaphragm, or sponge with spermicide; a combination of male condom with either cervical cap, diaphragm, or sponge with spermicide.
- ECG value after 10 minutes of resting in the supine position in the following ranges: 120ms\<PR\<220ms: QRS\<120ms; QTc\<430ms for males and QTc\<450ms for females and normal ECG tracing, unless the investigator considers the ECG abnormality to be not clinically relevant.
Exclusion criteria
- Diabetes, clinically diagnosed or HbA1c \> 6.5% and/or fasting plasma glucose \> 126 mg/dl and/or use of anti-diabetic medications.
- Participating in \> 1.5 h of structured exercise/week
- Unstable weight (\>3% change in last 3 months)
- Neurological, musculoskeletal, or other conditions that may limit subject's ability to complete study physical assessment and training
- Active autoimmune/inflammatory disease including: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematous, inflammatory bowel disease
- Laboratory parameters outside the normal range:
- impaired kidney function (eGFR \< 30ml/min/1.73m² as calculated by the CKD-EPI equation);
- impaired liver function (AST or ALT level \> 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN);
- total Bilirubin level \> 1.5 times ULN;
- TSH \> 1.5 times ULN or \< lower limit of normal (LLN);
- Hemoglobin \<10.0 g/dl; Platelets \<125,000 cell/mm³;
- Platelets \< 125,000 cell/mm³
- Prothrombin time (PT) \> 1.0 times ULN
- Partial prothrombin time (PTT) \> 1.0 times ULN.
- Active gastrointestinal disease; coagulopathy; GI bleed within 6 months
- Clinically significant heart disease (e.g. NYH Classification \>II; ischemia)
- Peripheral vascular disease (claudication)
- QTc prolongation \>45 msec
- Use of anti-arrhythmic medications known to cause QTc prolongation, anti-platelet or anti-coagulant medication (see section 5.3)
- Use of quinolone antibiotics or any other drugs that may prolong the QTc interval (see section 5.3)
- Pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma or exercise-induced asthma
- Recent systemic or pulmonary embolus
- Uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic BP\>170, diastolic BP\>95 mmHg)
- Smoking, alcohol use (history of regular alcohol consumption exceeding 7 drinks/week for female participants or 14 drinks/week for male participants. 1 drink = 5 ounces \[150ml\] of wine or 12 ounces \[360ml\] of beer or 1.5 ounces \[45ml\] of hard liquor) or recreational drug use (other than marijuana)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Postmenopausal women new (within 6 months) to systemic hormone replacement therapy
- Previous bariatric surgery
- History of stroke with motor disability
- Recent (3 years) treated cancer other than basal cell carcinoma
- Acute or chronic infection
- Medication that might interfere with metabolic studies (weight loss medication, systemic steroids, immunosuppressants) within 6 months (see section 5.3)
- Potentially senolytic agents within the last 6 months: fisetin, quercetin, luteolin, dasatinib, piperlongumine, or navitoclax (see section 5.3)
- History of allergy to dasatinib, quercetin and/or lidocaine.
- Concurrent enrollment in another interventional trial.
Where
- Los Angeles, California
Collaborators
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Mar 18, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations