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Study of Liraglutide Versus Insulin on Liver Fat Fraction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Randomized Trial of Liraglutide and Insulin Therapy on Hepatic Steatosis as Measured by MRI and MRS in Metformin-treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: an Open Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01399645
Acronym
LIRAINS
Enrollment
35
Registered
2011-07-22
Start date
2011-05-31
Completion date
2014-06-30
Last updated
2014-08-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Type 2 Diabetes

Keywords

Randomized trial, Open label, Pilot study, Single center

Brief summary

This study is conducted to test the hypothesis that in type 2 diabetic adults with fatty liver who are resistant to metformin, treatment with liraglutide in combination with metformin will cause an absolute reduction in liver fat superior to insulin-metformin treatment within a 3-month period, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Detailed description

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can now be identified in 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes. Insulin can be introduced at any point in the treatment of diabetes, but is potentially lipogenic. Preliminary studies have shown conflicting results on the impact of insulin on fatty liver. Objectives: This study is conducted to test the hypothesis that in type 2 diabetic adults with NAFLD who are resistant to metformin, treatment with liraglutide in combination with metformin will cause an absolute reduction in liver fat superior to insulin-metformin treatment within a 3-month period, as measured by in vivo MRI and MRS. Design: This will be a prospective, open label, randomized parallel trial to evaluate whether 12 weeks of treatment with a) liraglutide-metformin will improve steatosis in type 2 diabetic adults with NAFLD compared to treatment with b) insulin-metformin. Before and post-treatment MRI and MRS will be read blindly for quantification of steatosis. The primary outcome measure is defined as an improvement in steatosis of 5% before and after treatment between the 2 treatment groups. Methods: Thirty-six patients will be randomized to either study group. After baseline metabolic measurements by blood sampling, transient ultrasound elastography, MRI and MRS, all subjects will be given metformin with a starting dose of 500 mg in one tablet twice daily. In addition, patients will be randomized to receive either liraglutide (0.6 - 1.8 mg subcutaneous per day ) or insulin glargine with an initial bedtime starting dose of 10 IU for a duration of 3 months. Expected results: The results of this study will provide preliminary data for a large scale study comparing the 2 therapeutic regimen and establish the utility of MRI and MRS to monitor medical treatment in diabetic patients with fatty liver disease.

Interventions

DRUGLiraglutide-metformin vs insulin-metformin

Liraglutide (Victoza, Novo Nordisk) at a dose of 0.6 - 1.8 mg subcutaneous per day. Insulin glargine (Lantus, Sanofi-Aventis) with an initial bedtime starting dose of 10 IU.

Sponsors

Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
CollaboratorOTHER
Diabetes Québec
CollaboratorOTHER
Radiological Society of North America
CollaboratorOTHER
Canadian Heads of Academic Radiology-GE Healthcare Development Award
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Are 18 y.o. or older at screening (first visit), * Are ambulatory, * Are known for type 2 diabetes with criteria of failure of metformin monotherapy, metformin-sulfonylurea, metformin-repaglinide combined therapy defined as HbA1C ≥6.5, * Abdominal girth \> 94 cm for men and \> 80 cm for women, * Understand French or English instruction, * Able to comprehend and willingness to provide voluntary consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Have any contra-indications for MRI (such as metallic implants, pacemaker or claustrophobia), * Have type 1 diabetes or have had episodes of ketoacidosis, * Have any major debilitating disease including malignant disorders, * Have had, within the last 6 months, evidence of significant heart disease or stroke, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, coronary bypass and/or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III-IV), or severe ischemic disease, * Patients having received insulin within 3 months prior to screening, * Have a serum creatine above \>150 mmol/L or estimated GFR \< 30 mL/min, * Women seeking pregnancy, * Have a history of chronic liver disease other than NAFLD, including HBV and HCV infection, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, autoimmune hepatitis, * Current or previous use of oral or injectable corticosteroids, * Have excessive alcohol intake, defined as a daily limit of 30 g (3 drinks) for men and 20 g (2 drinks) for women.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To determine liver fat fraction evolution induced by liraglutide and insulin12 weeksImprovement in liver steatosis defined by change in liver fat fraction as measured by MRI and MR spectroscopy at baseline and 12 weeks of treatment.

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026