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The Effect of Glucagon on Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Humans

The Effect of Glucagon on Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Humans

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06877208
Acronym
GluCoMet_CD
Enrollment
12
Registered
2025-03-14
Start date
2025-03-18
Completion date
2027-08-01
Last updated
2026-04-29

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

Conditions

Cerebral Glucose Metabolism

Keywords

Glucagon, 18F-FDG PET, Quantitative PET, Cerebral Glucose Metabolism, Blood-brain Glucose Transfer

Brief summary

This is a pilot study in which the investigators will investigate the effect of exogenous glucagon on cerebral glucose metabolism in healthy humans. Participants will participate in either part C or part D of the study, and each participant will participate in three study days. During a study day the participant will receive an intravenous infusion of either glucagon, glucose (in an adjustable rate to match to glucose concentrations achieved with the glucagon infusion) or saline. During each study day an 18F-flouro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) scan will be performed to quantify cerebral glucose metabolism during the first part (acute effect) of the glucagon/glucose/saline infusion (part C) or the last part (later effect) of the glucagon/glucose/saline infusion (part D).

Detailed description

Participants in this study will participate in four visits; one screening visit and three study days. Participants will be instructed to avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol intake two days prior to each experimental visit. Participants will arrive at the Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine after an overnight (\>10 hours) fast (including coffee and medicine). On all three study days, two peripheral venous catheters will be placed in the antecubital vein of each arm (one for the collection of blood samples and one for infusions). After two initial blood samples the infusion of either saline, glucagon or glucose will be started. The infusion rate of glucagon will be 10 ng/kg/min. The infusion rate of glucose will be adjustable, and adjusted to match the blood glucose levels achieved on the glucagon study day. During the infusion of saline, glucagon or glucose a 18F-FDG PET/CT scan will be performed. The 18F-FDG PET/CT scan will be performed either in the beginning of the infusions (approximately 15-55 min after the start of infusion) (for participants in part C) or in the end of the infusions (approximately 150-190 min after the start of infusion) (for participants in part D).

Interventions

OTHERGlucagon (part C)

90 minutes intravenous infusion with glucagon (infusion rate of 10 ng/kg/min).

OTHERGlucose clamp (part C)

90 minutes intravenous infusion of 20 % weight/volume glucose (in an ajustable rate to match the glucose levels achieved during the glucagon infusion).

OTHERSaline (part C)

90 minutes intravenous infusion with isotonic NaCl.

OTHERGlucagon (part D)

210 minutes intravenous infusion with glucagon (infusion rate of 10 ng/kg/min).

OTHERGlucose clamp (part D)

210 minutes intravenous infusion of 20 % weight/volume glucose (in an ajustable rate to match the glucose levels achieved during the glucagon infusion).

OTHERSaline (part D)

210 minutes intravenous infusion with isotonic NaCl.

Sponsors

Nicolai Jacob Wewer Albrechtsen
Lead SponsorOTHER
University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age 55 to 70 years * BMI under or equal to 30 kg/m2 * Capable of understanding the participant information and signing the consent form

Exclusion criteria

* Enrolment in other research projects that might interfere with the study * Diabetes diagnosis (type 1 and 2) * Use of medications which, in the opinion of the investigator, may jeopardise participant's safety or compliance with the protocol * Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, dementias, or any other neurological disorders that in the opinion of the investigator precludes compliance with the study protocol, evaluation of the results or represents an unacceptable risk for the participants safety * Severe claustrophobia * Impaired liver og kidney function * Cardiac problems including any of the following: 1. Classified as being in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV 2. Angina pectoris (chest pain) within the last 6 months 3. Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) within last 2 years * Inadequately treated blood pressure at screening defined as repeated resting blood pressure outside the range 90-150 mmHg for systolic and 50-100 mmHg for diastolic. * Active or recent malignant disease * Current or history of severe alcohol use or drug/chemical abuse as per investigator's judgement * Any chronic disorders or severe diseases which, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardise participant's safety or compliance with the protocol

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc), acute effect (part C)15-55 minutesCMRglc is calculated based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc), later effect (part D)150-190 minutesCMRglc is calculated based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.
Blood-brain glucose transfer capacity (Tmax), acute effect (part C)15-55 minutesTmax is calculated based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.
Blood-brain glucose transfer capacity (Tmax), later effect (part D)150-190 minutesTmax is calculated based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.
FDG net clearance (Ki), acute effect (part C)15-55 minutesKi is calculated based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.
FDG net clearance (Ki), later effect (part D)150-190 minutesKi is calculated based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.

Countries

Denmark

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNicolai J Wewer Albrecthsen, MD PhD

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

STUDY_CHAIRLisbeth J Marner, MD PhD

University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 30, 2026