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The Role of Pregnancy-induced Gallbladder Dysmotility in the Pathophysiology of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Completed
Conditions
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Registration Number
NCT04108065
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen
Brief Summary

The primary aim of the study is to evaluate postprandial gallbladder emptying and plasma concentrations of the glucose-lowering and satiety-promoting gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) during third trimester of pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared with age and body mass index (BMI)-matched pregnant control women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).

Detailed Description

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) defined as glucose intolerance first detected during pregnancy is a strong predictor of future type 2 diabetes. Patients with GDM exhibit severely reduced postprandial responses of the insulinotropic and satiety-promoting gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which normalise alongside remission of GDM after delivery. Ingested nutrients and bile acids constitute potent stimulators of GLP-1 secretion. Reduced postprandial GLP-1 responses likely contribute to the pathophysiology of GDM, but the mechanisms are unknown. Based on previous studies studying gallbladder emptying during pregnancy, we hypothesize that reduced postprandial GLP-1 responses in GDM is due to incomplete gallbladder emptying during third trimester. If our hypothesis proves right, reduced gallbladder emptying and ensuing attenuation of postprandial GLP-1 secretion will constitute an obvious and druggable target for the treatment of GDM.

Fifteen women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 15 age and body mass index (BMI)-matched pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance will be enrolled in the study. For each subject, the study encompasses one screening visit and two experimental days; one during third trimester of pregnancy and one 3-9 months post partum. On experimental days, a standardised liquid mixed meal test (added 1.5 g of paracetamol for evaluation of gastric emptying according to paracetamol absorption) with repeated ultrasonographic gallbladder scans and blood samples will be performed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
GLP-1 response240 minutes

Postprandial GLP-1 response (as assessed by area under curve (AUC) within 240 minutes after meal ingestion) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

Gallbladder emptying240 minutes

Postprandial gallbladder emptying (evaluated as repeated measures of gallbladder volumes using bed-side ultrasonography within 240 minutes after meal ingestion) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Responses of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GIP240 minutes

Postprandial responses of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon (as assessed by area under curve (AUC) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

Oxytocin240 minutes

Postprandial responses of oxytocin (as assessed by area under curve (AUC) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

Gastric emptying240 minutes

Postprandial responses of paracetamol (as assessed by area under curve (AUC) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

Bile acid and gallbladder physiology240 minutes

Postprandial responses of GLP-2, CCK, total bile acids, C4 and FGF-19 (as assessed by area under curve (AUC) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

GDF15240 minutes

Postprandial responses of GDF-15 (as assessed by area under curve (AUC) during third trimester compared to 3-9 months postpartum.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen

🇩🇰

Hellerup, Denmark

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