Effects of a diabetes medication on inflammation and heart health in obese patients

The Effect of SGLT2 Inhibition on Adipose Inflammation and Endothelial Function

This study tests if a diabetes medication called empagliflozin can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 74 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Trial ID: NCT05972564 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the impact of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin on reducing inflammation in adipose tissue and improving endothelial function in obese patients with metabolic syndrome. The study aims to understand how this medication can potentially mitigate the chronic inflammation associated with obesity, which is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either empagliflozin or a placebo, and various health metrics will be monitored throughout the trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 70 with metabolic syndrome and a BMI of 35 kg/m² or higher, who are scheduled for gastric bypass or sleeve surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with type 1 diabetes or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new therapeutic options for managing obesity-related inflammation and improving cardiovascular health.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with SGLT2 inhibitors in managing metabolic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18+ years old
2. Metabolic syndrome as defined by 3 or more of 5 criteria:

   1. Systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85 mmg Hg or treatment with anti-hypertensive medications for minimum of 1 month
   2. Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL or treatment with a triglyceride-targeted medication (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin, high dose omega-3 fatty acids)
   3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) \< 40 mg/dL in males or \< 50 mg/dL in females
   4. Fasting blood glucose ≥ 100mg/dL or treatment with glucose-lowering medications
   5. Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in males or ≥ 88cm in females
3. BMI ≥ 35 kg/M2
4. Scheduled gastric bypass or gastric sleeve in approximately 90 days (range 90-270 days)
5. The ability to provide informed consent

   Exclusion Criteria:
6. Type 1 diabetes.
7. Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes as defined by HbA1c ≥ 9%.
8. Use of anti-diabetic medications other than stable dose of metformin or a sulfonylurea in the last 1 month.
9. Treatment with a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or co-agonist in the last 3 months.
10. Treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor in the last 3 months.
11. Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women of child-bearing potential will be required to have undergone surgical sterilization or to be using an intra-uterine device, hormonal contraceptive, or barrier methods of birth control.
12. Cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction within six months prior to enrollment, presence of angina pectoris, significant arrhythmia, congestive heart failure (left ventricular hypertrophy acceptable), deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, -second- or third-degree heart block, mitral valve stenosis, aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
13. Presence of implanted cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker
14. History of serious neurologic disease such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, or transient ischemic attack
15. History of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery
16. History or presence of immunological or hematological disorders
17. Clinically significant gastrointestinal impairment that could interfere with drug absorption
18. History of advanced liver disease with cirrhosis
19. Individuals with an eGFR\<45 mL/min/1.73 m2, where eGFR is determined by the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, where serum creatinine is expressed in mg/dL and age in years: eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2)=186 • Scr-1.154 • age-0.203 • (0.742 if female)
20. Treatment with chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy (more than 7 consecutive days in 1 month)
21. Treatment with anticoagulants
22. Any underlying or acute disease requiring regular medication which could possibly pose a threat to the subject or make implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the study results difficult
23. History of alcohol abuse (\>14 per week for men and \>7 per week for women) or illicit drug use
24. Treatment with any investigational drug in the one month preceding the study
25. Previous randomization in this trial
26. Mental conditions rendering a subject unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study
27. Inability to comply with the protocol in the opinion of the principal investigator, e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits, and unlikelihood of completing the study

    Criteria Related to Known Adverse Effects of Drug:
28. Uncircumcised men or men with history of balanitis
29. History of urinary incontinence
30. History of recurrent (\>3) episodes of vulvovaginitis per year, or severe symptoms
31. History of Fournier's gangrene
32. History of recurrent (≥3) UTIs per year or pyelonephritis
33. History of symptomatic hypotension or conditions predisposing to volume depletion
34. Known peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, history of foot ulcers or lower limb amputations
35. Treatment with loop diuretics furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid
36. Known or suspected allergy to trial medications, excipients, or related products
37. Contraindications to study medications, worded specifically as stated in the product's prescribing information

Where this trial is running

Nashville, Tennessee

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mona Mashayekhi, MD, PhD — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Mona Mashayekhi, MD, PhD

Conditions Obesity; Metabolic Syndrome