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Physical Activity and Insulin Sensitivity Dynamics

The Significance of Physical Activity for Insulin Signaling Dynamics and Insulin Sensitivity

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06776094
Enrollment
8
Registered
2025-01-15
Start date
2025-05-05
Completion date
2027-01-31
Last updated
2025-12-02

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

Conditions

Insulin Sensitivity

Keywords

Exercise, Muscle insulin sensitivity, Muscle glucose uptake, GLUT4, Phosphoproteomics

Brief summary

The study investigates the role of one single bout of exercise in mediating enhancement of muscle insulin sensitivity following a single bout of exercise. Furthermore, the study is aiming to elucidate the temporal development in insulin signaling, at the early timepoints of insulin stimulation that may be responsible for the enhanced muscle insulin sensitivity. This will be investigated in young healthy males subjected to a one-legged knee-extensor exercise followed by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, a setup known to enhance muscle insulin sensitivity.

Detailed description

The participant arrives fasting at 8:00 AM, having abstained from alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine for the past 24 hours and refrained from strenuous physical activity for the past 48 hours. The participants are then subjected to a one-legged knee extension exercise performed by the participant from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Groin catheters are inserted into the femoral artery and vein using ultrasound guidance and sterile technique Two hours after the completion of the exercise, a catheter is inserted into an arm vein (antecubital vein) and groin catheters are inserted into the femoral artery and vein using ultrasound guidance and sterile technique. Four hours after the exercise ends, a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp is commenced. The clamp begins with a bolus injection of insulin, followed by a continuous infusion. Glucose is infused concurrently to maintain constant blood glucose levels. Throughout the procedure, blood samples are collected every 5 minutes from the femoral catheters, and blood flow is measured using ultrasound Doppler. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis of both legs are taken before the clamp starts and at 3, 6, 10, and 20 minutes after the clamp's initiation. Following the 20-minute mark, the clamp continues until steady-state is achieved to determine tissue-specific and whole-body insulin sensitivity. Over the course of the experiment, a total of 10 muscle biopsies and approximately 150 mL of blood are collected. The experimental part of the study is expected to conclude by 4:30 PM. Participants are provided with food and beverages and observed for 1 hour before being allowed to leave the research laboratory.

Interventions

OTHEROne-legged-knee extensor exercise

1 hour of one-legged-knee-extensor exercise followed by 4 hours of rest

The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp is a well-established and recognized method for determining glucose uptake at a specific insulin infusion rate. It is a technique with which we have 25 years of uncomplicated experience. During the clamp, insulin (human recombinant insulin) is infused (1.42 mU/kg/min) into an arm vein (antecubital vein), while glucose (20% solution) is administered in an amount adjusted to maintain blood glucose (plasma glucose concentration) at basal levels. The amount of insulin administered raises the participant's plasma insulin concentration (blood concentration) to approximately 100 μU/mL, which is considered within the physiological range. Blood samples are collected and analyzed continuously for glucose content, allowing for the determination of glucose uptake at the whole-body level and across the legs. Later, these blood samples will also be analyzed for relevant metabolites and proteins, including insulin, to assess the metabolism of these substances.

During supine rest, the skin on the outer thigh, approximately 15 cm above the knee, is disinfected with chlorhexidine alcohol. Subsequently, 3-4 mL of local anesthetic (lidocaine 20 mg/mL) is administered into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and the upper portion of the muscle using a very thin needle. A pinprick test is performed after a few minutes to ensure the anesthetic is effective. A small incision is then made in the skin and subcutaneous tissue to allow the biopsy needle to pass through to the muscle. Using the biopsy needle, a small sample of muscle tissue (approximately 150 mg) is collected. This may cause some discomfort but is very brief (\ 1-2 seconds). The needle is removed, a sterile dressing is applied, and the participant can leave the facility after completing the study. The biopsy may result in mild muscle soreness for 2-3 days, similar to a minor muscle bruise. Regular physical activities can be resumed after the biopsy. However, it is advised to avoid swimming.

OTHERExercise

The participants' maximal oxygen uptake is determined through a test on a cycle ergometer before the start of the experiment. The test begins with a 20-minute warm-up at two different low workloads, after which the workload is gradually increased until the predetermined cadence can no longer be maintained, or the participant indicates exhaustion. During the test, the participant's exhaled air is collected. After completing the warm-up, it typically takes between 4 and 7 minutes to complete the test.

Sponsors

University of Copenhagen
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
22 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy individuals (no known diseases) * No use of medication * Non-smokers * Male * Aged 22-35 years * Fitness level (VO2max, i.e., maximal oxygen uptake) between 30-50 mL O2/min/kg * BMI between 28 and 35

Exclusion criteria

* Women * Failure to meet all inclusion criteria * Physical activity level (e.g., running, cycling, fitness, etc.) exceeding 6 hours per week * Acute illness within 2 weeks prior to the study days * Use of recreational drugs within 2 weeks prior to the study days

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Insulin stimulated muscle glucose uptakeThrough study completion, approx. 1 year.Muscle glucose uptake during insulin stimulation in recovery from exercise (insulin sensitivity) will be determined based on Fick's principle. Thus, femoral arterio-venous difference (av difference) in blood glucose concentration will be multiplied by femoral arterial leg blood flow.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Posttranslational modification of proteins in muscle biopsies3 yearsThe obtained muscle samples will be subjected to mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomic analysis. This measurement shows posttranslational modification that regulates protein function and will reveal the signalling network underlying the interventions studied. Unit of measure is log2-transformed arbitrary units

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Imaging of transport protein1 yearThe obtained muscle samples will be subjected to a microscopy method to validate the spatial distribution and re distribution following insulin stimulation.
Maximum oxygen uptakeThrough study completion, approx. 1 year.The participants' maximal oxygen uptake is determined through a test on a cycle ergometer before the start of the experiment. The test begins with a 20-minute warm-up at two different low workloads, after which the workload is gradually increased until the predetermined cadence can no longer be maintained, or the participant indicates exhaustion. During the test, the participant's exhaled air is collected. After completing the warm-up, it typically takes between 4 and 7 minutes to complete the test.

Countries

Denmark

Contacts

Primary ContactJørgen FP Wojtaszewski, Professor
jw@nexs.ku.dk+4535321625
Backup ContactNicolai S Henriksen, MSc
nsh@nexs.ku.dk+4560110222

Outcome results

None listed

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