Diabetic Neuropathies
Conditions
Brief summary
Sensorimotor neuropathy (SMN) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) are the most common complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D). SMN affects \ 30% of people with T2D and CAN \ 20%. SMN causes pain, impairs and limits physical activity, and increases the risk for physical disability, complications (such as foot ulcerations), and premature mortality. Moreover, both motor and sensory nerve function are important regulators of muscle function; impaired myofiber innervation causes myofiber loss, muscle fat infiltration, and increases the risk of age-associated sarcopenia and falls. CAN often goes unrecognized because it presents with non-specific symptoms, such as resting tachycardia and fixed heart rate, exercise intolerance, and orthostatic hypotension. However, CAN is a serious problem because it increases the risk for cardiovascular events and mortality several-fold. Both SMN and CAN have long been considered a consequence of T2D, but it is now becoming clear that they precede the diagnosis of T2D and are already detectable in people with prediabetes, especially those with impaired glucose tolerance. Treatments for both SMN and CAN focus on symptom management because there are no effective therapeutics that target the underlying neuropathy. The results from studies conducted in animal models suggest fish oil-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may have therapeutic effects for people with SMN and CAN. The purpose of this proposal is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA improves sensorimotor and cardiovascular autonomic functions in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Forty 55-80 year old men and women with impaired glucose tolerance (plasma glucose 2 h after a 75 g glucose challenge ≥140 mg/dl) and evidence of SMN (assessed as epidermal nerve fiber density) will be randomized to either receive fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA (4.2 g per day; n=20) or placebo (n=20) for six months. Sensorimotor and cardiovascular autonomic function will be evaluated after three and 6 months of the interventions.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTFish-oil derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
4.2 g/d (7 pills with 600 mg each)
Sponsors
University of Missouri-Columbia
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
double-blind, randomized controlled trial in men and women
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* age: ≥55 and ≤80 years * BMI: ≥25.0 and ≤39.9 kg/m2; * normal plasma glucose (fasting plasma glucose \<100 mg/dl and plasma glucose 2 h after a 75 g glucose challenge \<140 mg/dl) for the control group and impaired fasting plasma glucose (≥100 mg/dl) or impaired glucose tolerance (plasma glucose 2 h after a 75 g glucose challenge ≥140 mg/dl) or both for the intervention groups
Exclusion criteria
* age: \<55 and \>80 years * BMI: \<25.0 and \>39.9 kg/m2 * fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dl or plasma glucose 2 h after a 75 g glucose challenge ≥140 mg/dl for the control group and normal plasma glucose (fasting plasma glucose \<100 mg/dl, plasma glucose at 2 h after 75 g glucose ingestion \<140 mg/dl) for the intervention groups * treatment for T2D, except for metformin * regular structured high-intensity exercise \>150 min total per week * significant neurological or other organ system dysfunction (e.g., progressive neuromuscular disease, unstable angina, vasculitis, certain cardiopulmonary diseases, cancer that has been in remission for \<5 years, dementia, allergies to the dietary supplement) or significant ambulatory impairments (e.g., limb amputations, being wheelchair-bound) * use of certain medications that are incompatible with the study procedures (e.g., certain anticoagulants) or could confound the study outcomes (e.g., anabolic steroids, metronidazole, etc) alcohol use disorder as defined by the NIAAA or use of controlled substances or smoking \>20 cigarettes per week * regular consumption of fish oil supplements or \>2 servings of fatty fish per week * x) prisoners, and persons who are unable to grant voluntary informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sensorimotor function | Change from baseline to 6 months | Nerve conduction velocity |
| Cardiovascular autonomic function | Change from baseline to 6 months | Heart rate variability |
| Muscle endurance | Change from baseline to 6 months | Decline in torque during repeat muscle contraction |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose tolerance | Change from baseline to 6 months | Glucose tolerance (plasma glucose concentration during a 75 gram glucose tolerance test) |
| Insulin sensitivity | Change from baseline to 6 months | Oral insulin sensitivity index |
| Beta cell function | Change from baseline to 6 months | Insulin secretion rate |
| Plasma triglyceride concentration | Change from baseline to 6 months | Plasma triglyceride concentration |
| Muscle strength | Change from baseline to 6 months | Muscle strength |
| Physical performance | Change from baseline to 6 months | Physical performance test |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORBettina Mittendorfer
Washington University School of Medicine
Outcome results
None listed