Actively Recruiting
Mechanisms for Glucagon Resistance as Driver of Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Disease in Humans With Type 2 Diabetes
Led by University of Aarhus · Updated on 2026-02-04
24
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Aarhus
Lead Sponsor
N
Novo Nordisk A/S
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how glucagon sensitivity differs in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with or without metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MASLD). The study aims to find out if glucagon's effects on liver fat oxidation and suppression of VLDL-triglyceride secretion are impaired in these groups. It also explores whether glucagon resistance and MASLD correspond to unusual lipid and metabolite profiles in blood and fat tissue. Participants will receive infusions of low and high doses of glucagon along with somatostatin, insulin, and growth hormone replacements. They will also receive tracers for palmitate, VLDL-triglyceride, and glucose to study metabolic processes. PET scans using [11C]palmitate will be performed during the glucagon infusions to observe effects in tissues. During the study, participants will attend two short visits and one full-day visit. Assessments include body composition scans (DXA), MRI for liver fat measurement, blood tests, ultrasound to assess liver stiffness and scarring, fat tissue biopsies, and an 8-hour hormone and tracer infusion. Researchers will measure liver fatty acid oxidation rates, blood and tissue protein and lipid profiles, glucose production, fatty acid turnover, and VLDL-triglyceride kinetics. The total participation period spans several visits over the study duration.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Glucagon Resistance in Patients With MASLD and T2DM
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- BMI greater than 26 kg/m²
- Confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least 6 months before enrollment
- For MASLD group: liver fat steatosis above 5.6% on MR spectroscopy
You will not qualify if you...
- Alcohol or other substance abuse exceeding 10 units per week
- Smoking
- Current or previous cancer
- Blood donation within 3 months before study day
- Participation in studies with radioactive isotopes within 3 months
- Pregnancy
- Severely uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (hemoglobin A1c ≥ 100 mmol/mol)
- C-peptide levels below 200 pmol/L
- Previous acute myocardial infarction
- Symptoms of heart failure
- Known systemic diseases except dyslipidemia and hypertension
- Regular use of medications affecting lipid and glucose metabolism, including insulin and hormonal contraception, except specified washout allowances for statins, oral glucose-lowering therapy, antihypertensives, and weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists prior to study day
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants receive infusions of low and high dose glucagon with somatostatin, insulin, and growth hormone replacement, along with tracer infusions and imaging assessments.
1 study day with infusion and imaging procedures
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Aarhus University Hospital
Aarhus, Denmark, 8000
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kia E. Fonfara, Medical Doctor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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