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Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance and Exercise in South Asians

Not Applicable
Suspended
Conditions
Insulin Resistance
Interventions
Behavioral: Aerobic exercise programme
Behavioral: Resistance exercise programme
Registration Number
NCT04007926
Lead Sponsor
University of Glasgow
Brief Summary

This study determines the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise training on whole-body and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in south Asians and evaluate the mechanisms which contribute to improvements in insulin sensitivity after exercise training.

Detailed Description

South Asians (SA) have 2-4 fold higher risk of type 2 diabetes and develop the disease at lower body weights and younger ages than white Europeans. Lower cardiorespiratory fitness and capacity for muscle fat oxidation contributes substantially to SAs' greater insulin resistance, the extent to which this can be improved by exercise training is unclear. This randomised controlled trial will investigate the effects of a 12-week aerobic or resistance exercise training intervention on insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp) in South Asian adults (22 control, 22 aerobic exercise group and 22 resistance exercise group). The study will also explore the mechanisms within skeletal muscle which mediate these changes by evaluating aerobic and resistance exercise-training induced changes: in basal and insulin-stimulated microvascular blood volume (using contrast-enhanced ultrasound); skeletal muscle mitochondrial function; and lipid droplet morphology and spatial interaction with mitochrondria, muscle fibre capillarisation, endothelial content of key enzymes controlling dilation/constriction and GLUT-4 translocation (using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy methods). Thus, this work will integrate physiological and molecular data to determine the extent to which exercise training can improve insulin sensitivity in SA and the mechanisms underpinning this improvement. This knowledge is important for optimising diabetes prevention interventions in SAs and identification of potential novel therapeutic targets.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
SUSPENDED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
66
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male
  • South Asian ethnicity (self-report of both parents of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan origin)
  • Age 30-65 years
  • At least 10% 10-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes, determined using the QDiabetes®2018 risk score (http://qdiabetes.org/2018/index.php)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Female
  • Diabetes (physician diagnosed or HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol on screening)
  • History of cardiovascular disease
  • Hypertension (taking anti-hypertensives or BP consistently ≥ 150/90 mmHg on screening).
  • Regular participation in vigorous physical activity
  • Regular participation in resistance exercise
  • Current smoking
  • Taking drugs or supplements thought to affect carbohydrate or lipid metabolism
  • Taking drugs affecting blood clotting (e.g. aspirin)
  • Current treatment with anti-obesity drugs
  • Any other significant illness that would prevent full participation in the study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Aerobic exercise groupAerobic exercise programmeParticipants randomised to the aerobic exercise intervention will undertake a 12-week aerobic exercise training programme.
Resistance exercise groupResistance exercise programmeParticipants randomised to the resistance exercise intervention will undertake a 12-week aerobic exercise training programme.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Whole-body Insulin sensitivityChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in whole-body insulin sensitivity measured by hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocationChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis using immunofluorescence microscopy

Microvascular blood volumeChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in fold-increase in insulin stimulated quadriceps muscle blood volume measured using contrast enhanced ultrasound.

Muscle mitochondrial functionChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in mitochondrial function (oxygen consumption rate) in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria from the vastus lateralis measured using respirometry

Lipid droplet content in skeletal muscleChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in fibre type-specific (type 1 and type 2) and subcellular-specific (subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar) lipid droplet content in muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis using immunofluorescence microscopy

Lipid droplet proximity to mitochondria in skeletal muscleChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in proportion of lipid droplets in contact with mitochondria in subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar compartments of type 1 and type 2 muscle fibres in muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis using immunofluorescence microscopy

Microvascular density in skeletal muscleChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in fibre-type specific capillarisation in muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis

Change in enzymes controlling insulin-mediated increases in perfusion in skeletal muscleChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in endothelial specific protein content and phosphorylation of key microvascular enzymes in muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis assessed using quantitative immunofluorescence.

Maximal oxygen uptakeChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in maximal oxygen uptake consumption assessed using continuous incremental uphill walking protocol until volitional exhaustion.

Muscle maximal voluntary contractionChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in knee extensor muscles maximal voluntary contraction

Lower body muscle strengthChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in 1-RM (one maximal repetition) (kg) for leg press.

Upper body muscle strengthChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in 1-RM (one maximal repetition) (kg) for chest press.

Grip strengthChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in grip strength (kg).

WeightChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in weight (kg).

Waist circumferenceChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in waist circumference (cm)

Fat massChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in fat mass measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Fat-free massChange between baseline and 12 weeks.

Change in fat-free mass measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Glasgow

🇬🇧

Glasgow, United Kingdom

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