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The Effect of Exercise on Hepatic Glucose Metabolism

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity
Interventions
Behavioral: Aerobic exercise
Registration Number
NCT01783275
Lead Sponsor
Vanderbilt University
Brief Summary

It is known that obesity and/or physical inactivity greatly increase a person's risk of developing heart disease and other serious health problems. This is partly because diabetes is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Diabetes is also associated with high levels of triglycerides in the blood and tissues such as the liver (known as fatty liver or steatosis). This elevation of fat in the liver is known to cause liver insulin resistance and impair the function of the liver and this impairment contributes to the development of diabetes.

Studies have shown that both aerobic exercise and weight loss have beneficial results on insulin resistance. However, the cause of this benefit remains unclear. We know that both aerobic exercise and/or weight loss can improve how muscle responds to insulin. However, it is also known that aerobic exercise and/or weight loss lowers liver fat content, thereby making it possible that the liver's response to insulin is also improved by weight loss and/or exercise training. An improved responsiveness of the liver to insulin could lower blood sugar levels after a meal and it could also lower morning blood sugar levels. However, very little is known about how exercise and/or weight loss improves liver function in people with type 2 diabetes.

Hypothesis 1: Improved hepatic insulin sensitivity, as a result of exercise training will increase the amount of glucose from an oral load that is taken up by the liver in subjects with DM.

Hypothesis 2: Increases in hepatic insulin sensitivity as a result of exercise will cause reductions in EGP during the fasted state, and will improve the suppression of EGP seen in response to hyperinsulinemia.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • 40-60 yrs of age
  • sedentary lifestyle
  • stable weight
  • BMI 30 - 40kg/m2
  • Hgb A1c <8.5
  • Type 2 diabetes
Exclusion Criteria
  • Use of insulin
  • Use of TZDs

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Aerobic ExerciseAerobic exercise12 weeks of aerobic exercise
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Splanchnic glucose uptake3 years

Improved hepatic insulin sensitivity, as a result of lifestyle intervention, will increase the amount of glucose from an oral load that is taken up by the liver in subjects with DM.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Endogenous glucose production3 years

Increases in hepatic insulin sensitivity as a result of lifestyle intervention will cause reduced EGP during the fasted state, and in response to hyperinsulinemia.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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