Broad Health Condition Metabolic and Endocrine

Specific Health ConditionNormal metabolism and endocrine development and function

Trial FocusTreatment

Recruitment statusRecruiting

Anticipated date of first participant enrolment3/08/2010

Anticipated date of last participant enrolment3/08/2010

Phase of TrialPhase 4

Has the study received ethics approval?Approved

Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to understand how oestrogen controls the use of fat in the liver. The hypothesis is that oestrogen is required to prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver. The mechanism may be direct or mediated by other hormones such as growth hormone, which is regulated by oestrogen. 
We wish to study the effects of oestrogen compounds called Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulators (tamoxifen) and a drug that prevents oestrogen production (letrozole) on the secretion of growth hormone from the special gland in brain and how they control the liver production and burning of fat in men and women. We wish to compare these effects with that of natural oestrogen itself in women.

Key inclusion criteria

Healthy postmenopausal women and men the same age
BMI <25 kg/m2

Minimum age50 Years

Maximum age70 Years

GenderBoth males and females

Can Healthy volunteers participate?Yes

Key exclusion criteria

History of liver, kidney diseases, cancer, diabetes, endocrine disorders, that are likely to interfere with the metabolism or excretion of the test medication.