Effects of a diabetes drug on glucose levels in people with spinal cord injuries
Official title: Glycemic and Weight Loss Effects of GLP-1R Agonist Therapy in Subjects With Spinal Cord Injury and Type 2 Diabetes
Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · NCT06706284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a diabetes drug called semaglutide can help people with spinal cord injuries better manage their blood sugar levels and improve their overall health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (San Antonio, Texas and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 11, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | March 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06706284 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-70 with a spinal cord injury for over a year and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes managed with diet and metformin.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant changes in diabetes medication or those with severe comorbidities may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in managing type 2 diabetes among individuals with spinal cord injuries. Participants will undergo a series of health assessments, including a mixed meal tolerance test and a glucose clamp study, before being randomized to receive either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks. Throughout the study, participants will have regular check-ins via phone and in-person visits to monitor their progress and health changes. The study aims to gather data on glucose regulation, weight loss, and overall health outcomes in this unique patient population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for managing type 2 diabetes in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown promise in other populations, this specific application in spinal cord injury patients is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Male and female subjects aged 18-70 years (inclusive) at screening
2. More than one year after spinal cord injury
3. Levels if injury C2-L2 with Asia Impairment Scale A, B, C or D.
4. Provision of signed and dated written informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
5. Diagnosed with T2DM with glucose control managed with diet and metformin monotherapy where no significant dose changes (increase or decrease ≥ 50%) have occurred in the three months prior to screening
6. HbA1c 6.0-9.0% at screening
7. BMI \> 22 kg/m2 at screening
8. Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and randomization, and must not be lactating
9. Females of childbearing potential who are sexually active with a non-sterilized male partner must use at least one highly effective method of contraception from screening and must agree to continue using such precautions through to the end of the study. It is strongly recommended for the male partner of a female subject to also use male condom plus spermicide throughout this period. Cessation of contraception after this point should be discussed with a responsible physician. Periodic abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable methods of contraception.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. History of, or any existing condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with evaluation of the investigational product, put the subject at risk, influence the subject's ability to participate or affect the interpretation of the results of the study and/or any subject unable or unwilling to follow study procedures.
2. Any subject who has received another investigational product as part of a clinical study within the last 30 days or 5 half-lives of the drug (whichever is longer) at the time of screening
3. Taking mirabegron or other glucose altering medications
4. Taking steroids within the past 1 year
5. Significant anemia (hemoglobin\<11g/dL)
6. History of gastric outlet obstruction or chronic diarrhea
7. History of a chronic neurological illness other than SCI (i.e.; MS, etc)
8. Any subject who has received any of the following medications within the specified time-frame prior to the start of the study
* Herbal preparations or drugs licensed for control of body weight or appetite (eg, orlistat, bupropion-naltrexone, phentermine-topiramate, phentermine, lorcaserin) within a year prior to the start of the study
* Pioglitazone, SGLT2 or DPPIV inhibitors, GLP-1RA within the last 60 days at the time of screening
9. Severe allergy/hypersensitivity to any of the proposed study treatments, excipients, acetaminophen
10. Symptoms of acutely decompensated blood glucose control (eg, thirst, polyuria, weight loss), a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or diabetic ketoacidosis, or if the subject has been treated with daily SC insulin within 90 days prior to screening.
11. Significant inflammatory bowel disease or other severe disease or surgery affecting the upper GI tract (including weight-reducing surgery and procedures) which could affect the interpretation of safety and tolerability data. Prior history of bariatric surgery is not considered exclusion given the ample evidence of safety of use of GLP-1R therapy in this population.
12. Acute or chronic pancreatitis
13. Significant hepatic disease (except for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis \[MASH\] or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease \[MASLD\]) without portal hypertension or cirrhosis) and/or subjects with any of the following results at screening:
Aspartate transaminase (AST) ≥ 3 × upper limit of normal (ULN) Alanine transaminase (ALT) ≥ 3 × ULN Total bilirubin ≥ 2 × ULN
14. Impaired renal function defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 45 mL/minute/1.73m2 at screening (GFR estimated according to Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) using MDRD Study Equation IDMS-traceable \[SI units\])
15. Unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke within 3 months prior to screening, or subjects who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention or a coronary artery bypass graft within the past 6 months or who are due to undergo these procedures at the time of screening
16. Severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV)
17. Basal calcitonin level \> 50 ng/L at screening or history/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia
18. History of neoplastic disease within 5 years prior to screening, except for adequately treated basal cell, squamous cell skin cancer, or in situ cervical cancer
19. History of HIV infection or other immune compromised disease; and history of organ transplantation
20. Substance dependence or history of alcohol abuse and/or excess alcohol intake
21. Patients on ketogenic diet
Where it's running
-
University Health - Texas Diabetic Institute
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting -
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marzieh Salehi, MD — The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Marzieh Salehi, MD
- Email: salehi@uthscsa.edu
- Phone: 210-567-6691
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.