Overview

Rediscovering Hydroxychloroquine as a Novel Insulin Sensitizer

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-08-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
Current options to treat insulin resistance in diabetes are fairly limited. For this reason, novel treatments would represent a major progress. The generic drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has poorly understood effects on blood sugar metabolism. In this study, the investigators will examine the mechanisms by which this drug affects glucose metabolism and which cells are affected. Findings emanating from this project will help establish whether HCQ may be a viable treatment for disorders of glucose metabolism.
Phase:
Phase 1
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Pittsburgh
Treatments:
Hydroxychloroquine
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 21-69 years-old;

- BMI 28-40;

- Presence of at least one of the following markers of insulin resistance: a) fasting
hyperinsulinemia (>7 uU/ml by ultrasensitive insulin assay); impaired fasting glucose
(100-125 mg/dl); prior history of impaired glucose tolerance provided by the
participant; history of previous gestational diabetes; history of PCOS; waist
circumference >40" (men) or >35" (women) (cut-offs from ATP-III criteria for metabolic
syndrome).

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnancy, or unable/unwilling to avoid pregnancy during the study;

- Unstable cardiopulmonary disease, hepatitis, liver dysfunction, renal insufficiency,
or any other medical condition affecting glucose metabolism or safety during the
study;

- Diabetes;

- Medications that affect glucose metabolism: (e.g. systemic glucocorticoids,
antipsychotics);

- History of hypersensitivity to local lidocaine, similar anesthetics, or HCQ;

- History of G6PDH deficiency;

- History of retinopathy;

- Weight instability (>3Kg of weight change in the past three months);

- Bariatric surgery in the last two years, intention to lose weight or engage in
exercise regimen during study;

- Alcohol intake >1 drink/day (averaged);

- Hemoglobin <10g%