MedPath

Effect of a Dietary Intervention on Intracellular Lipid Levels, Insulin Sensitivity, and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Not Applicable
Suspended
Conditions
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Interventions
Behavioral: Dietary intervention
Registration Number
NCT04088981
Lead Sponsor
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a low-fat, plant-based dietary intervention and a portion-controlled dietary intervention (compliant with current American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines) on changes in intramyocellular and hepatocellular lipid content in adults with type 2 diabetes. Changes in insulin sensitivity and glycemic control will also be assessed in this study. The study duration is 44 weeks.

Detailed Description

Type 2 diabetes is a disease characterized by discordance between the amount of insulin produced by pancreatic β-cells and the amount of insulin required to overcome insulin resistance in the liver and peripheral tissues. The development of insulin resistance has been strongly associated with the prolonged accumulation of lipids (fats) in the liver cells ("hepatocellular lipid") and muscle cells ("intramyocellular lipid"). Conventional pharmacologic therapeutics for type 2 diabetes, like metformin, are designed to reduce the accumulation of hepatocellular and intramyocellular lipids and, thereby, augment insulin sensitivity. Research has shown that a low-fat, plant-based diet, in which the consumption of lipids is limited, is a similarly effective therapeutic intervention for the reduction of hepatocellular and intramyocellular lipid content and the improvement of insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of low-fat, plant-based dietary intervention and a portion-controlled dietary intervention (compliant with current American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines) on hepatocellular and intramyocellular lipid content in adults with type 2 diabetes. Using a cross-over design, participants with type 2 diabetes will be randomly assigned to start with a plant-based or a portion-controlled diet for 22 weeks. The two groups will then switch to the opposite diet regimen for an additional 22 weeks. Before and after each intervention period, the investigators will measure intramuscular and liver fat content. The investigators will also assess the relationship between these variables, insulin sensitivity, and glycemic control.

The investigators hypothesize that both dietary interventions will result in reductions in intramuscular and liver fat content, and that these changes will be associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The investigators further hypothesize that the low-fat, plant-based dietary intervention will elicit greater changes in intracellular lipid concentration, compared with the portion-controlled dietary intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
SUSPENDED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Low-fat, vegan dietDietary interventionFor a 22-week period, participants will be asked to follow a low-fat vegan diet which consists of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, with no restriction on energy intake. Animal products and added oils will be excluded. In choosing grain products and starchy vegetables (e.g., bread, potatoes), participants will be encouraged to select those retaining their natural fiber and having a glycemic index \<70, using tables standardized to a value of 100 for glucose.
Portion-controlled dietDietary interventionFor a 22-week period, participants will be asked to follow a portion-controlled diet which will include individualized diet plans that reduce daily energy intake by 500 kcal for overweight participants, and keep carbohydrate intake reasonably stable over time. It will derive 50% of total energy from carbohydrates, 20% from protein, and less than 30% from fat (≤7% saturated fat), with less than 200 mg/day of cholesterol/day.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intramyocellular lipid content1.) Change from week 0 to week 22; 2.) Change from week 22 to week 44

Proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy at 4T (Bruker) will be implemented to quantify intramyocellular lipid concentrations.

Hepatocellular lipid content1.) Change from week 0 to week 22; 2.) Change from week 22 to week 44

Proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy at 4T (Bruker) will be implemented to quantify intramyocellular lipid concentrations.

Insulin sensitivityChange from baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Insulin resistance will be assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) PREDIM indexes

Concentration of glucose1.) Change from week 0 to week 22; 2.) Change from week 22 to week 44

Concentration of glucose will be assessed during a standard meal test (Boost Plus, Nestle, Vevey, Switzerland; 720 kcal, 34% of energy from fat, 16% protein, 50% carbohydrate). Plasma concentrations of glucose will be measured at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min.

Concentration of C-peptide1.) Change from week 0 to week 22; 2.) Change from week 22 to week 44

Concentration of C-peptide be assessed during a standard meal test (Boost Plus, Nestle, Vevey, Switzerland; 720 kcal, 34% of energy from fat, 16% protein, 50% carbohydrate). Concentration of C-peptide will be measured at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min.

Rate of glycemic control1.) Change from week 0 to week 22; 2.) Change from week 22 to week 44

Rate of glycemic control will be assessed through HbA1C.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Resting energy expenditureChange from baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Resting energy expenditure REE (pulse, respiratory rate and body temperature) will be measured for 20 minutes through indirect calorimetry utilizing a ventilated hood system in fasting participants.

Concentration of plasma lipidsChange from baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Change in plasma cholesterol \& triglycerides.

Body weightChange from baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Change in body weight measured on a calibrated scale.

Gut microbiome compositionChange from baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Quantitative determination of microorganisms and global analysis of microbial diversity from stool sample. The mean of the change between time points in bacteria counts.

Postprandial metabolismChange from Baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Postprandial metabolism will be measured by indirect calorimetry. Participants will be asked to report to the laboratory within 60 minutes of waking and after a 12-hour fast. Following 30 minutes of quiet rest in a dimly lit room, pulse, respiratory rate, and body temperature will be measured. Resting energy expenditure will be measured for 20 minutes through indirect calorimetry utilizing a ventilated hood system. Postprandial metabolism will be measured four times, 20 minutes each time, over the course of 3 hours after the standard breakfast.

Body CompositionChange from baseline to 22 weeks and change from 22 weeks to 44 weeks

Body composition will be measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (Lunar iDXA, GE Healthcare; Madison WI), assessing visceral adipose tissue volume and mass.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath