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Treatment of Hypoglycemia Following Gastric Bypass Surgery

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Hypoglycemia
Obesity
Surgery
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02527993
Lead Sponsor
Zealand University Hospital
Brief Summary

Obesity is increasing worldwide and consequently the need for efficient treatment opportunities. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures used in the treatment of severe obesity. The surgery results in significant and sustained weight loss and has a beneficial effect on blood glucose regulation.

However, some patients experience the syndrome postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia years after the operation, with symptoms varying from mild dizziness to confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. Larger insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) responses to an oral glucose load are believed to play a role in the syndrome, which is not yet fully understood. There are no current treatment guidelines beside dietary recommendations.

The purpose of this study is to compare different pharmacological treatments on daily blood glucose variations as well as postprandial hormonal and autonomous changes in subjects with symptoms of postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia after RYGB.

Detailed Description

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures used in the treatment of severe obesity. RYGB has in several studies been shown to result in significant and sustained weight loss. Moreover, RYGB has a beneficial effect on obese subjects with type 2 diabetes by improving blood glucose regulation, resulting in remission or partial remission of type 2 diabetes already days after surgery.

The changes of the anatomy of the stomach and small intestine cause a faster and more abrupt increase in blood glucose after a meal. As a consequence of the changed glucose absorption after RYGB and the increased insulin secretion, some subjects experience the condition named postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is typically seen years after RYGB and the symptoms vary from mild dizziness to confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. The condition is characterized by large postprandial blood glucose variations accompanied by exaggerated insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) responses. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) have shown that subjects suffering from postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia presents large variations in blood glucose from values below 3.5 mmol/L to diabetic values above 11.1 mmol/L within the first hour after a meal.

At present, there are no treatment guidelines beside dietary recommendations. Experimental treatment includes diet modifications, pharmaceutical treatments and surgical procedures. Several pharmaceutical agents have been attempted in the management of postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, but overall the existing studies consist of few case reports and case series evaluated primarily by relief of symptoms and not by CGM and hormonal analyses.

The study is designed as a randomized, non-blinded cross-over study including five treatment arms. The pharmaceutical agents are: a) Glucobay, b) Januvia, c) Verapamil, d) Victoza and e) Signifor. The treatment duration is 1 - 3 weeks, except for Signifor, which is administered for one day only. Each treatment period is separated by a wash out period of 7-10 days.

Sixteen none diabetic women are included in the study. They have undergone RYGB and have symptoms of postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Moreover, former CGM has shown fluctuations in blood glucose of more than 5 mmol/L during daily living and with at least one blood glucose reading below 3.5 mmol/L.

Six days continuous glucose monitoring will be performed at run-in and during each treatment arm, except for e) Signifor due to the short treatment period. At the end of the CGM measurement a meal tolerance test (MTT) will be performed. During the MTT blood samples for glucose measurements and hormone assessments (insulin, C-peptide, GLP-1, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), glucagon, insulin like growth factor (IGF-1), epinephrine, norepinephrine) will be drawn continuously as well as continuous pulse recording and blood pressure measurements.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
11
Inclusion Criteria
  • symptoms of postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.
  • fluctuations in blood glucose of more than 5 mmol/L during daily living
  • at least one blood glucose reading below 3.5 mmol/L.
  • More than 18 months since RYGB
  • HbA1c < 40 mmol/L
  • Hemoglobin > 7,3 mmol/L
  • Ferritin > 30 µg/L
  • Cobalamin > 150 picomol/L
  • Creatinine < 105 mmol/L
  • C peptide > 1,0 nmol/L
  • Insulin > 35 pmol/L
  • Normal EKG
  • Negative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) urine test
  • Females of reproductive age: use of safe contraception
Exclusion Criteria
  • Treatment for cardiovascular disease
  • Treatment with antipsychotics, antidepressants or anxiolytics
  • Smoking
  • Treatment for thyroid disease
  • Prior medical treatment of postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia
  • Allergy for the study medicine

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
JanuviaContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM)Tablet Januvia (sitagliptin) 100 mg orally O.D for 7 days.
VerapamilMeal tolerance test (MTT)Tablet Verapamil 120 mg orally O.D for 7 days.
JanuviaJanuvia (sitagliptin)Tablet Januvia (sitagliptin) 100 mg orally O.D for 7 days.
GlucobayContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM)Tablet Glucobay (acarbose) 50 mg x 6 daily for 7 days.
GlucobayMeal tolerance test (MTT)Tablet Glucobay (acarbose) 50 mg x 6 daily for 7 days.
SigniforMeal tolerance test (MTT)Subcutaneous injection of Signifor (pasireotide) 300 µg as a single dose prior to a meal tolerance test.
GlucobayGlucobay (acarbose)Tablet Glucobay (acarbose) 50 mg x 6 daily for 7 days.
JanuviaMeal tolerance test (MTT)Tablet Januvia (sitagliptin) 100 mg orally O.D for 7 days.
VerapamilVerapamil HEXAL (verapamil)Tablet Verapamil 120 mg orally O.D for 7 days.
VictozaMeal tolerance test (MTT)Subcutaneous injection of Victoza (liraglutide) 0,6-1,2 mg O.D for three weeks.
SigniforSignifor (pasireotide)Subcutaneous injection of Signifor (pasireotide) 300 µg as a single dose prior to a meal tolerance test.
VerapamilContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM)Tablet Verapamil 120 mg orally O.D for 7 days.
VictozaVictoza (liraglutide)Subcutaneous injection of Victoza (liraglutide) 0,6-1,2 mg O.D for three weeks.
VictozaContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM)Subcutaneous injection of Victoza (liraglutide) 0,6-1,2 mg O.D for three weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in blood glucose (mmol/L) assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).6 days CGM will be performed at week 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in glucose (mmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes heart rate (beats/min) during the course of a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in Insulin-like growth factor 1 (nmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in glucagon (pmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in insulin (pmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in C-peptide (nmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in epinephrine (pmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in gastric inhibitory peptide (pmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in norepinephrine (pmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
Changes in glucagon-like peptide 1 (pmol/L) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT)From 20 minutes prior to a liquid test meal to 180 minutes following the meal ingestion.
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