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Study of Acarbose in Longevity

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Aging
Interventions
Other: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT02953093
Lead Sponsor
Montefiore Medical Center
Brief Summary

The investigators are studying the effects of acarbose on muscle and adipose gene transcription in older adults.

Detailed Description

Acarbose, an FDA approved drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has known effects on glucose metabolism. Evidence from mice indicates that acarbose may prolong lifespan. In humans, acarbose improves inflammatory markers and reduces cardiovascular events. Consequently, acarbose is of interest in clinical translational aging research since it may influence fundamental processes that contribute to age-related diseases. The study described herein is an exploratory study to examine the effect of acarbose treatment on the biology of aging in humans. Specifically, the investigators plan to study whether treatment with a 10 week course of acarbose will alter the gene expression profile in adipose tissue and muscle in older adults in pathways that are known to be affected by human aging, in a placebo-controlled crossover study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male
  • age >60 years
  • impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
Exclusion Criteria
  • cancer
  • heart failure
  • COPD
  • inflammatory conditions
  • eGFR<45
  • active liver disease
  • poorly controlled hypertension
  • epilepsy
  • recent cardiovascular disease event (last 6 months)
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • history of bariatric or other gastric surgery
  • cigarette smoking
  • serious substance abuse.
  • Treatment with drugs known to influence glucose metabolism
  • Hypersensitivity to acarbose or any component of the formulation.
  • Treatment with anti-coagulant medications or anti-platelet drugs

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Acarbose firstPlaceboParticipants will take acarbose three times daily for 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks). After a two week washout, participants will take placebo three times daily for a total of 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks).
Placebo firstPlaceboParticipants will take placebo three times daily for 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks). After a two week washout, participants will take acarbose three times daily for a total of 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks).
Acarbose firstAcarboseParticipants will take acarbose three times daily for 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks). After a two week washout, participants will take placebo three times daily for a total of 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks).
Placebo firstAcarboseParticipants will take placebo three times daily for 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks). After a two week washout, participants will take acarbose three times daily for a total of 10 weeks (titration over 4 weeks, maintenance 6 weeks).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Tissue gene expression after placebo vs after acarbose.10 weeks

Difference in gene expression in muscle and abdominal adipose tissue (with adjusted p-value less than 0.05, and a fold change greater than 2) using RNA-seq analysis after 10 weeks of acarbose compared to 10 weeks of placebo.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Fecal microbiome10 weeks

Difference in 16s rDNA gene sequence expression level (with adjusted p \<0.05) after 10 weeks of acarbose compared to 10 weeks of placebo.

Serum microRNA10 weeks

Difference in microRNA expression level (with adjusted p \<0.05) after 10 weeks of acarbose compared to 10 weeks of placebo.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Montefiore Medical Center

🇺🇸

Bronx, New York, United States

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