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The Effects of Light on Glucose Metabolism

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Glucose Intolerance
Prediabetic State
Interventions
Behavioral: Exposure to bright light during the day
Behavioral: Exposure to dim light during the day
Registration Number
NCT03829982
Lead Sponsor
Maastricht University
Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effect of bright light on postprandial blood glucose metabolism in obese subjects with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance.

Detailed Description

Light has a major influence on the biological clock and several studies suggest that bright light during the day and dim light in the evening are beneficial for the circadian timing system. Nowadays, large parts of the population spend 90% of their time indoors and are thereby exposed to artificial lighting instead of daylight. The artificial light levels are relatively low during the day and continue relatively late in the evening. The lack of a clear natural light-dark cycle could results in delayed timing of the biological clock relative to the behaviour. Optimizing the lighting conditions under controlled laboratory settings might lead to better alignment of the biological clock, which in turn could improve metabolic parameters such as glucose control.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
14
Inclusion Criteria
  • Caucasian

  • BMI 25-35 kg/m2

  • Stable weight (+/- 3 kg in the last 3 months)

  • One of the four criteria for prediabetes:

    • Impaired fasting glucose (6.1 mM to 6.9 mM)
    • Blood glucose values 7.8 - 11.1 mM 2h after glucose drink consumption during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in screening
    • Insulin Resistance: glucose clearance rate ≤ 360 ml/kg/min, as determined using the oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS120) index
    • HbA1c of 5.7 - 6.4%.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mM
  • Blood donation one month prior to study and three months after finishing study.
  • Participants with extreme chronotypes (going to bed extremely late/early).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
bright light during the dayExposure to bright light during the dayParticipants will be exposed to bright light (1250 lux) between 8:00 and 18:00 and to dim light (5 lux) between 18:00 and 23:00.
dim light during the dayExposure to dim light during the dayParticipants will be exposed to dim light (10 lux) between 8:00 and 18:00 and to dim light (1250 lux) between 18:00 and 23:00.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postprandial glucose (mg/dL)Study Day 1-3

Assessed with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Glucose levels (mmol/L) in the postprandial stateStudy Day 2-3

venous blood draw every 30 min for 4 hours after breakfast and after dinner

Insulin levels (µU/mL) in the postprandial stateStudy Day 2-3

venous blood draw every 30 min for 4 hours after breakfast and after dinner

Energy expenditureStudy Day 1-3

continuous measurement with whole room indirect calorimetry

Continuous interstitial glucose (mg/dL)Study Day 1-3

Assessed with continuous glucose monitor (CGM)

Free fatty acid levels (µmol/L) in the postprandial stateStudy Day 2-3

venous blood draw every 30 min for 4 hours after breakfast and after dinner

Triglycerides levels (mmol/L) in the postprandial stateStudy Day 2-3

venous blood draw every 30 min for 4 hours after breakfast and after dinner

Core body temperature (CBT) and skin temperatureStudy Day 1-3

Measured with a telemetric pill (CBT) and 14 temperature sensors (iButtons) in degrees celsius

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Maastricht University

🇳🇱

Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

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