Postprandial Hypoglycemia
Conditions
Keywords
SGLT2-inhibitor empagliflozin, IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra, prediabetes, insulin clearance, proinsulin
Brief summary
This study is to analyze whether the SGLT2-inhibitor empagliflozin or the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra may improve postprandial hypoglycemia in subjects with prediabetes.
Detailed description
Subjects with prediabetes may develop postprandial hypoglycemia. This is probably due to a dysfunction of the insulin producing β-cell characterized by a delayed and exaggerated insulin secretion leading to an initial peak in glycaemia followed by a rapid fall and eventually resulting in hypoglycemia. The latter occurring typically within 1 to 3 hours after food intake. In patients with gastric bypass surgery and postprandial hypoglycemia the SGLT2-inhibitor empagliflozin and the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra reduced postprandial insulin release and prevented hypoglycemia. This study is to analyze whether a similar therapeutic approach using empagliflozin and anakinra may also improve postprandial hypoglycemia in subjects with prediabetes.
Interventions
Empagliflozin (Jardiance®; Boehringer Ingelheim (Schweiz) GmbH) is a highly selective, reversible inhibitor of the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2). Treatment consists of a single oral tablet of 25 mg of empagliflozin (Jardiance®) two hours before ingestion of the mixed-meal (Ensure plus® 375 ml, 75 g carbohydrates, 562 kcal, drinking time 5 minutes).
Anakinra (Kineret®; r-metHuIL-1ra, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB) is a recombinant, non-glycosylated form of the human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in a 100 mg/0.67ml solution for SC injection. Treatment consists of a single subcutaneous injection of 100 mg Anakinra (Kineret®) three hours before ingestion of the mixed-meal (Ensure plus® 375 ml, 75 g carbohydrates, 562 kcal, drinking time 5 minutes).
Placebo for anakinra is 0.67 ml of sterile 0.9 % saline solution s. c. Treatment consists of a single subcutaneous injection of matched placebo (0.67 ml of 0.9 % saline) three hours before ingestion of the mixed-meal (Ensure plus® 375 ml, 75 g carbohydrates, 562 kcal, drinking time 5 minutes).
Placebo for empagliflozin is Winthrop P® (Zentiva, Frankfurt/Main) lactose tablet. Treatment consists of a single oral tablet of matched placebo two hours before ingestion of the mixed-meal (Ensure plus® 375 ml, 75 g carbohydrates, 562 kcal, drinking time 5 minutes).
Sponsors
Study design
Masking description
Participants, investigators and study nurses will be blinded to the study drug.
Intervention model description
Placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over proof-of-concept study. Subjects will be randomized to either group 1-6 (ratio 1:1, in blocks of 4 participants).
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Subjects with prediabetes defined by Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.7-6.4 % or fasting plasma glucose 6.1-6.9 mmol/l) or plasma glucose 2 h following 75 glucose ingestion of 7.8-11.0 mmol/l. * Hypoglycemia occuring 1 to 3 h following ingestion of a standardized liquid mixed-meal (75 g carbohydrates) and fulfilling the Whipple's triad (glucose below 3.0 mmol/l). * Age ≥ 18 years * For subjects with reproductive potential, willingness to use contraceptive measures adequate to prevent the subject from becoming pregnant during the study
Exclusion criteria
* Upper gastrointestinal surgery * Diagnosis of any type of diabetes mellitus * Signs of current infection * Use of investigational drug up to one week prior to start of treatment phase * Glucocorticoid therapy * Neutropenia (leukocyte count \< 1.5 × 109/L or absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \< 0.5 × 109/L) * Anemia (hemoglobin \< 11 g/dL for males, \< 10 g/dL for females) * Clinically significant kidney or liver disease (creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ALT \> 2 × ULN, alkaline phosphatase \> 2 × ULN, or total bilirubin \[tBili\] \> 1.5 × ULN) * Uncontrolled disease * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding * No subjects meeting the criteria for vulnerability * Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of symptomatic hypoglycemia | up to 3 hours after ingestion of the liquid mixed-meal | Incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia following a standardized mixed-meal test defined by appearance of typical symptoms, blood glucose level below 3.0 mmol/l and relief of symptoms when the glucose level is raised (Whipple's triad). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Severity of symptoms of hypoglycemia according to the Edinburgh Hypoglycemia Scale | up to 3 hours after ingestion of the liquid mixed-meal | The Edinburgh Hypoglycemia Scale is a classification of the 11 most common symptoms of hypoglycemia. Subjective intensity-grading: * no symptoms 0 * light symptoms 1 * moderate symptoms 2 * severe symptoms 3 |
| Nadir plasma glucose (mmol/l) | up to 3 hours after ingestion of the liquid mixed-meal | Nadir plasma glucose (mmol/l) |
| Change in proinsulin to insulin ratio in serum | at baseline and 60 min after ingestion of the mixed meal | Change in proinsulin to insulin ratio in serum |
| Change in inflammatory state | at baseline and 60 min after ingestion of the mixed meal | Change in inflammatory laboratory parameters (Interleukin (IL)1ß, IL6, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, IL-10, IL-1Ra) in supernatants of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) |
| Change in RNA sequencing (RNAseq) in peripheral PBMC | at baseline and 60 min after ingestion of the mixed meal | Change in RNAseq in peripheral PBMC |
Contacts
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel