Investigating Whether Acute Elevation of Fatty Acid Levels Alters Cerebral Glucose Transport and Metabolism

NCT04328337 — Phase 1 / Phase 2, Recruiting, 40 participants, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

ClinicalTrials Daily  ·  Areas  ·  Conditions  ·  Drugs  ·  Sponsors  ·  
RegistryNCT04328337
StatusRecruiting
PhasePhase 1 / Phase 2
Study typeInterventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, basic science
Enrollment40 (Estimated)
SponsorUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Other); collaborators: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
ConditionsObesity
InterventionsIntralipid, 20% Intravenous Emulsion, Placebos (Drug)
Datesstart 2020-12-08, primary completion 2026-06-01 (estimated), completion 2026-06-01 (estimated), first posted 2020-03-31, last updated 2025-03-30
Locations2 sites in United States

Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Obesity All trials of Intralipid, 20% Intravenous Emulsion All trials of Placebos

-Summary

The goal of this study is to understand the role of brain glucose transport in individuals with obesity and the association with cerebral hypometabolism and these individuals' response to plasma glucose elevations. The main premise is that obesity leads to reduced brain glucose transport and that we can measure this reduction with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The secondary premises are that this reduction is driven by elevated non esterified fatty acids which act to turn on specific signaling pathways that regulate brain GLUT1 levels.

Expand all sections  ·  Collapse all

+Detailed description

There are 2 aims of this study. The intent of aim 1 is to measure the effect of obesity on glucose transport and metabolism in the human brain. This study aim will be conducted in non-diabetic, obese individuals and age- and HbA1c-matched normal weight individuals. A total of 15 non-diabetic - normal weight individuals and 15 obese individuals will be enrolled.

The second aim randomizes 40 non-diabetic, normal weight individuals. The intent of aim 2 is to determine whether acute elevation of NEFA levels in lean, healthy individuals will alter cerebral glucose transport. Eligible participants will be randomized (1:1) to receive either intralipid or normal saline.

The focus of this protocol registration is the randomized portion of the study (aim 2).

+Arms and interventions

ArmTypeInterventionsDescription
Non-diabetic, normal weight individuals receiving IntralipidExperimentalDrug: Intralipid, 20% Intravenous EmulsionNon-diabetic, normal weight individuals receiving Intralipid. Participants will receive an infusion of Intralipid 20% for 12 hours through an IV (prior to and during scan #2)
Non-diabetic, normal weight individuals receiving salinePlacebo comparatorDrug: PlacebosNon-diabetic, normal weight individuals receiving saline. Participants will receive an infusion of normal saline (1:1 randomization) at 30 ml/hr for 12 hours through an IV (prior to and during scan #2
  • Intralipid, 20% Intravenous Emulsion (Drug): Infusion of Intralipid 20%
  • Placebos (Drug): saline 30 ml/hr for 12 hours through an IV

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

  • Change in brain glucose transport capacity [Through End of Study (Up to 12 hours)]: Measurement of brain glucose transport rates using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 45 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-45 years
* HbA1C <6.5%
* Normal weight individuals: BMI 17-25 kg/m\^2
* Obese individuals: BMI >30 kg/m\^2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Creatinine >1.5mg/dL
* Hematocrit <35% for females and <39% for males
* ALT and AST >2.5X upper limit of normal
* Abnormal TSH
* Abnormal PT/PTT/INR
* Triglycerides >200 mg/dL
* Known hepatic, gastrointestinal, renal, neurologic, psychiatric, cerebrovascular disease
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Current or past 3 months use of ketogenic diet
* Use of any medications, vitamins, or supplements that can alter cerebral metabolism or lipids
* Smoking
* Current or recent steroid use in last 6 months
* >5% body weight change in last 6 months
* Illicit drug use/alcoholism
* Inability to enter MRI/MRS
* For women: pregnancy, seeking pregnancy, or breastfeeding

+Locations (2)

FacilityCityCountryStatus
Biomedical Research Imaging Center Marsico Hall (UNC)Chapel Hill, North CarolinaUnited StatesRecruiting
Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) Burnett-Womack Building (UNC)Chapel Hill, North CarolinaUnited StatesRecruiting

+Investigators

+Funding

NIH grants: R01DK123227