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The Effect of Liraglutide on Bone Turnover, Bone Mass and Bone Cell Function

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Osteoporosis
Diabetes Complications
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT02473809
Lead Sponsor
University of Aarhus
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to test whether liraglutide, a drug approved and widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has an effect on bone mass and bone cell function. Type 2 diabetes may cause multiple complications, and it is well known that patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of fractures. If Liraglutide can be demonstrated to have a positive effect on bone, this may be one among other factors to consider before the decision about specific treatment of type 2 diabetes is made for the individual patient.

Detailed Description

Background: Type 2 diabetes may cause complications such as ischemic heart disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Several epidemiologic and animal studies also suggest that fracture risk is increased in diabetes.

Bone is remodelled throughout life through bone resorption by the bone resorbing cells, the osteoclasts, and by bone formation by the bone forming cells, the osteoblasts. Bone remodelling can be monitored by biochemical markers of bone turnover and the effect of bone remodelling can be measured by changes in bone mineral density (BMD) by Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or bone structure by quantitative CT (QCT) or high resolution peripheral QCT (HRpQCT). The remodelling activity and the balance between resorption and formation are influenced by many factors including food consumption. The gut hormone glucagon-like polypeptide 1 (GLP-1) is released in relation to food intake and reduces serum levels of glucagon, increases serum levels of insulin, and reduces blood glucose in diabetes. Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analogue and has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate the effect of the GLP-1 analogue Liraglutide on bone turnover, bone mass, and bone structure in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: The clinical study will be conducted as a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective, clinical trial with comparative treatment regimes with either subcutaneous Liraglutide or subcutaneous placebo injections.

Perspectives: The project will bring new knowledge about the possible effects of GLP-1 analogues on bone turnover and structure. This is important given that type 2 diabetes deteriorates bone health and increases risk of fractures. If Liraglutide can be demonstrated to have a positive effect on bone, this may be one among other factors to consider before the decision about specific treatment of type 2 diabetes is made for the individual patient.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Informed consent
  • Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (HbA1c > 48 mmol/mol)
  • Age older than 30 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Treatment with insulin
  • Body weight > 140 kg
  • HbA1c > 75 mmol/mol
  • Treatment with GLP-1 analogues, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, or glitazones
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Hepatic disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Family or personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • Treatment with glucocorticoids
  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Diabetic gastroparesis
  • Pregnancy or lactation

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
LiraglutideLiraglutideLiraglutide ("Victoza"), subcutaneous 1,8 mg once daily for 180 days
PlaceboPlaceboSaline, subcutaneous once daily for 180 days
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in collagen I cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide measured in serumDays 0, 7, 28, 90, 180

Collagen I cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide has been chosen as primary endpoint as the expected mechanism of action is reduction in bone resorption, and as it is the most responsive bone resorption marker.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in HbA1cDays 0, 180
Change in procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide measured in serumDays 0, 7, 28, 90, 180
Change in bone alkaline phosphatase measured in serumDays 0, 7, 28, 90, 180
Change in bone structure evaluated by QCT and HRpQCTDays 0, 90, 180
Change in osteocalcin measured in serumDays 0, 7, 28, 90, 180
Change in BMD evaluated by DXADays 0, 90, 180

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital

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Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark

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