MedPath

Pioglitazone Incretin Study

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT00656864
Lead Sponsor
University of Vermont
Brief Summary

Incretin hormones are hormones produced by the gut in response to food intake. These hormones help the body to control the metabolism of glucose (sugar). In particular, two incretin hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) cause the pancreas to secrete more insulin in response to high blood glucose levels. This helps the body to metabolize the glucose more effectively, lowering blood sugar levels. GLP-1 and GIP do not work as well in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as in subjects who do not have diabetes. This study tests whether a medicine called pioglitazone (Actos), which is commonly used to treat T2DM, improves the ability of GIP to increase insulin secretion.

To address this question the investigators will recruit patients with T2DM whose diabetes is controlled with either diet and exercise or with metformin (another medicine commonly used to treat T2DM). Subjects will undergo measurement of body fat by DEXA scanning and a series of studies to characterize their metabolism. These studies include an oral glucose tolerance test (a test sometimes used to diagnose diabetes), a mixed-meal challenge (to measure how much GLP-1 and GIP are produced in response to a meal) and measurement of insulin secretion in response to glucose and GIP given through a vein. The investigators will also obtain small samples of fat (from just under the skin of the belly) using a needle to measure levels of the receptor for GIP. Subjects will then be randomly assigned to 12 weeks of treatment with either pioglitazone or matching placebo (an inactive tablet that does not contain medication). The dose of pioglitazone will be increased during the first 4 weeks to the maximum prescribed dose of 45 mg per day. Subjects will be seen every 2-4 weeks during the treatment phase of the study. After 12 weeks of treatment all studies performed at the beginning of the study will be repeated. The pioglitazone treatment will continue until the end of testing, approximately 4 weeks.

The results of this study may give us information about why glucose control deteriorates in T2DM. This information might also lead to new ways to prevent or treat T2DM.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
24
Inclusion Criteria
  • Type 2 diabetes controlled with diet+exercise or metformin monotherapy
  • HbA1c less than or equal to 7%
  • Women will be non-fertile or practicing birth control
Exclusion Criteria
  • Acute or chronic medical conditions that would contraindicate participation
  • Class III or IV heart failure
  • Pregnant or nursing women
  • Patients taking antidiabetic medications other than metformin, oral or chronic topical steroids, weight loss agents, antipsychotics, or other drugs that could affect insulin sensitivity or secretion.
  • AST or ALT more than 2.5 times the upper limit of normal
  • Active alcohol or drug abuse
  • Weight greater than 300 pounds

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1PioglitazonePioglitazone arm
2PlaceboPlacebo arm
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in incretin-mediated insulin secretion and receptor regulation of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) in patients with type 2 diabetes.12 weeks per subject
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in active GIP in response to an oral glucose tolerance test and mixed meal challenge12 weeks
Change in active GLP-1 in response to the oral glucose tolerance test and the mixed meal challenge12 weeks
Change in glucose response during the oral glucose tolerance test and mixed meal challenge12 weeks
Change in insulin secretion during the oral glucose tolerance test and the mixed meal challenge12 weeks
Change in the acute insulin response to glucose, insulin sensitivity and the disposition index during the IV glucose tolerance test.12 weeks
Change in adipocyte GIP receptor mRNA expression levels.12 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Vermont

🇺🇸

South Burlington, Vermont, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath