Effect of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress on Metabolic Function
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Normally, the hormone insulin works to help keep blood sugar normal. However, as a person
gains weight, insulin does not work as well and blood sugar tends to be a little higher than
normal. This is called "insulin resistance".
Two investigational drugs (not approved by the Food and Drug Administration) for the
treatment of high lipid levels or insulin resistance are being examined in this study: one
drug is called tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), the other is called sodium phenylbutyrate
(PBA). This study is designed to test if TUDCA and/or PBA is effective in people who are
obese with insulin resistance and high lipids. We hypothesize that pharmacologically-induced
decreases in ER stress will improve insulin action and hepatic lipid metabolism in obese
subjects.