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Effects of Pioglitazone on Exogenous Carbohydrate Oxidation During Steady-State Exercise at High Altitude

Effects of Pioglitazone on Exogenous Carbohydrate Oxidation During Steady-State Exercise at High Altitude

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06164665
Enrollment
9
Registered
2023-12-11
Start date
2023-03-01
Completion date
2023-07-01
Last updated
2026-03-19

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

Conditions

High Altitude

Brief summary

Apparent hypoxia-induced insulin insensitivity along with alterations in glucose kinetics suggests reduction in glucose uptake by the peripheral tissue is a primary factor contributing to reductions in exogenous glucose oxidation at HA. As such, the primary objective of this study is to determine the ability of an insulin sensitizer (Pioglitazone, PIO) to enhance exogenous glucose oxidation and metabolic clearance rate during metabolically-matched, steady-state exercise during acute HA exposure compared to placebo (PLA) in native lowlanders. Secondary objective of this study will be to assess the impact of PIO on markers of inflammation and iron status compared to PLA. This randomized crossover placebo control double blinded study will examine substrate oxidation and glucose kinetic responses to ingesting supplemental carbohydrate (glucose) during metabolically-matched, steady-state exercise with acute (\ 5 h) exposure to HA (460 mmHg, or 4300m, barometric pressure similar to Pike's Peak) after receiving PIO (HA+PIO), or after receiving a matched placebo (HA+PLA). Eight healthy, recreationally active males between the ages of 18-39 yrs will be required to complete this study. Following a 4 day glycogen normalization period receiving PIO or PLA daily, volunteers will complete two 80-min trials, performing metabolically-matched, steady-state aerobic (same absolute workload corresponding to \ 55 ± 5% of V̇O2peak at HA) exercise on a treadmill, and consuming 145 g of glucose (1.8 g/min); one trial with HA+PIO and the other with HA+PLA. A dual glucose tracer (13C-glucose oral ingestion and \[6,6-2H2\]-glucose primed, continuous infusion) technique and indirect calorimetry will be used to selectively analyze endogenous and exogenous glucose oxidation, as well as glucose rate of appearance (Ra), disappearance (Rd) and metabolic clearance rate (MCR). Serial blood samples will be collected during each trial to assess endocrine and circulating substrate responses to exercise, carbohydrate, and hypoxia with or without PIO. All trials will occur at the same time of day in the USARIEM hypobaric/hypoxic chamber and be separated by a minimum 10-d washout period. The primary risks associated with this study include those associated with acute hypobaric hypoxia, exercise, and blood sampling.

Detailed description

This randomized crossover placebo controlled double blinded study will examine substrate oxidation and glucose kinetic responses to ingesting supplemental carbohydrate (glucose) during metabolically-matched, steady-state exercise with acute (\ 5 h) exposure to HA (460 mmHg) after short-term (5 days) use of Pioglitazone (HA+PIO), or matched placebo (HA+PLA). Eight healthy, recreationally active males between the ages of 18-39 yrs will be enrolled. Following a 48-hr muscle glycogen normalization period, volunteers will complete 80-min of metabolically-matched, steady-state (same absolute workload corresponding to \ 55 ± 5% of V̇O2peak at HA) exercise on a treadmill, and consume 145 g of glucose (1.8 g/min) with HA+PIO and HA+PLA. A dual glucose tracer (13C-glucose oral ingestion and \[6,6-2H2\]-glucose primed, continuous infusion) technique and indirect calorimetry will be used to analyze endogenous and exogenous glucose oxidation, as well as glucose rate of appearance (Ra), disappearance (Rd), and MCR. Serial blood samples will be collected during each trial to assess endocrine and circulating substrate responses to exercise, carbohydrate, and hypoxia, with or without PIO. Isotope methodology and aerobic exercise protocols will be identical to our previous work (3, 4), allowing comparison of outcomes across studies. All trials will be conducted in the USARIEM hypobaric/hypoxic chamber and be separated by a minimum 10-d washout period.

Interventions

Pioglitazone (PIO) will be administered as a 15 mg oral dose per day for 5 days

OTHERPlacebo

100% microcrystalline cellulos

Sponsors

United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

Treatment type (PIO/PLA) will be coded to de-identify treatment (Example: treatment A and treatment B or similar) to blinded staff. Assigned unblinded staff, responsible for administering the treatment to volunteers, will be responsible for creating treatment codes to match treatment. They will maintain record of randomization scheme and treatment.

Intervention model description

randomized crossover placebo controlled double blinded study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 39 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Men aged 18 - 39 years * Born at altitudes less than 2,100 m * Physically active (exercise minimum 2 days per week) * Have supervisor approval (permanent party military and civilians) * Willing to refrain from alcohol, smokeless nicotine products and dietary supplement use during study periods * Fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Exclusion criteria

* Born at altitudes greater than 2,100 m * Musculoskeletal injuries that compromise exercise capability * Metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities, or gastrointestinal disorders * Taking medication that affects macronutrient metabolism and/or the ability to participate in strenuous exercise * Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m, or traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within 2 months of data collection * Evidence of apnea or other sleeping disorders * Prior diagnosis of high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema * Presence of asthma or respiratory tract infections * Smoking or vaping * Taking medications that interfere with oxygen delivery and transport * Anemia (HCT \<38% and HBG \<12.5 g/dL) and Sickle Cell Anemia/Trait * Blood donation within 8 weeks of beginning the study * Unwilling or unable to consume study diets or foods provided due to personal preference, dietary restrictions, and/or food allergies * Unwilling or unable to adhere to study physical restrictions

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Exogenous Glucose Oxidation8 hoursDetermine the effects of PIO on exogenous glucose oxidation (g/min) during exercise under acute HA exposure compared to PLA

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Concentration of Interleukin-68 hoursDetermine the effects of PIO on inflammation during acute HA exposure compared to PLA.
Concentration of Serum Hemoglobin8 hoursDetermine the effects of PIO on markers of iron status during acute HA exposure compared to PLA

Countries

United States

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
4 Participants
Age, Continuous23 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6
High Altitude VO2peak35 ml/kg/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
4 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 80 / 7
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 80 / 7
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 80 / 7

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 20, 2026