Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) and Endothelial Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2012-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal peptide hormone secreted in a nutrient-dependent manner that stimulates the pancreatic beta cells to secrete more insulin in response to the same amount of blood glucose. In patients with Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 secretion is lower than normal, thus suggesting that the hormone may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. Whether infusion of GLP-1 affects endothelial function and glucose uptake in humans has never been investigated. In the current proposal, the investigators hypothesize that GLP-1 administration might ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome. To test this hypothesis, the investigators will evaluate the acute effects of GLP-1 in the forearm circulation of patients with metabolic syndrome during local hyperinsulinemia by use of the forearm perfusion technique.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Rome Tor Vergata
• Collaborator: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
• Treatments: Glucagon; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Incretins

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Otherwise healthy individuals aged between 20 and 60 years

• Must satisfy 3 out of the 5 listed criteria for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome (ATP III) will be included

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy

• Liver disease

• Pulmonary disease

• Renal insufficiency

• Coronary heart disease

• Heart failure

• Peripheral vascular disease

• Coagulopathy

• Any disease predisposing to vasculitis or Raynaud's phenomenon

• Bleeding disorders

• Kidney stones

• Platelet count < 150,000/ml blood

• Prothrombin time/partial thromboplastin time (PT/PTT) > 1 second above the normal range, and positive tests for HIV, or hepatitis B or C

• Subjects who are taking any kind of medication will not be included in this study; therefore, antihypertensive and/or lipid-lowering drugs will be discontinued at least 2 weeks before enrollment into this study

• All subjects will be told to refrain from alcohol, beverages containing caffeine, or smoking for at least 24 hours before the study is performed