Effects of Diazoxide on Insulin Resistance and Fatty Liver Disease

Role of Hyperinsulinemia in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Pathogenesis: Diazoxide Pilot & Feasibility Study

This study is testing if a medication called diazoxide can help people who are overweight and have insulin resistance improve their liver health and sugar levels.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 72 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Columbia University (other)
• Drugs / interventions: prednisone
• Locations: 1 site (New York, New York)
• Trial ID: NCT05729282 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of diazoxide on individuals with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance who are at high risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Participants will receive either diazoxide at two different doses or a placebo over a two-week period, while their glucose and lipid metabolism will be monitored. The study will assess how reducing hyperinsulinemia affects liver fat and sugar handling. Blood and saliva samples will be collected to analyze metabolic responses during the trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-70 with a BMI of 27-50 kg/m2 who have been diagnosed with or are at high risk for NAFLD and exhibit signs of insulin resistance.

Not a fit: Patients without insulin resistance or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for NAFLD may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment approach for managing insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using diazoxide for this specific condition is novel, similar studies targeting insulin resistance have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 18-70 years (using highly effective contraception if of childbearing potential)
2. Body mass index of 27-50 kg/m2
3. Able to understand written and spoken English and/or Spanish
4. Able to have pre-randomization screening labs drawn and study protocol initiated within 30 days of informed consent
5. Diagnosed with, or clinically judged to be at high risk for, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), by hepatologist or other qualified physician
6. Evidence of insulin resistance, represented by any or all of the following criteria:

   i. Meeting either of the American Diabetes Association's definitions for prediabetes or IFG on screening labs:
   1. Prediabetes: Hemoglobin A1c 5.7-6.4%
   2. IFG: plasma glucose of 100-125 mg dL-1 after ≥ 8-h fast

   and/or

   ii. Homeostasis Model of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) score ≥ 2.73
7. Fasting hyperinsulinemia (fasting insulin level ≥ 13 µIU/mL) on screening labs
8. Written informed consent (in English or Spanish) and any locally required authorization (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) obtained from the participant prior to performing any protocol-related procedures, including screening evaluations.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unable to provide informed consent in English or Spanish
2. Concerns arising at screening visit (any of the following):

   i. Documented weight loss of ≥ 5.0% of baseline within the previous 6 months

   ii. Abnormal blood pressure (including on treatment, if prescribed) • Systolic blood pressure \< 95 mm Hg or \> 160 mm Hg, and/or

   • Diastolic blood pressure \< 65 mm Hg or \> 100 mm Hg

   iii. Abnormal resting heart rate \< 60 bpm or ≥ 100 bpm

   • Sinus brady- or tachycardia that has been appropriately evaluated and considered benign by the recruit's personal physician may be permitted at PI's discretion

   iv. Abnormal screening electrocardiogram (or if on file, performed within previous 90 d):
   * Non-sinus rhythm
   * Significant corrected QT segment (QTc) prolongation (≥ 480 ms)
   * New or previously unknown ischaemic changes that persist on repeat EKG:

     •• ST segment elevations

     •• T-wave inversions

     v. Laboratory evidence of diabetes mellitus:
   * Hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5%, and/or
   * Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL

   vi. Positive qualitative serum β-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, beta subunit; i.e., pregnancy test) in women of childbearing potential

   vii. Liver function abnormalities
   * Transaminases (AST or ALT) \> 3.0 x the upper limit of normal, and/or
   * Total bilirubin \> 1.25 x the upper limit of normal

   viii. Abnormal screening triglycerides \> 500 mg/dL

   ix. Abnormal screening serum electrolytes (any of the following) • Sodium, potassium, chloride, or bicarbonate levels that are considered clinically significant according to the clinical judgment of the PI • Creatinine equating to estimated glomerular filtration rate \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2

   x. Uric acid level above the upper limit of normal

   xi. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase below the lower limit of normal
3. COVID-19 precautions

   i. Unwillingness to comply with masking requirements per hospital policy

   ii. Active, documented COVID-19 at any time after screening
4. Reproductive concerns

   i. Women of childbearing potential not using highly effective contraception, defined as:
   * Surgical sterilization (e.g., bilateral tubal occlusion, bilateral oophorectomy and/or salpingectomy, hysterectomy)
   * Combined oral contraceptive pills taken daily, including during the study
   * Intrauterine device (levonorgestrel-eluting or copper) active at the time of the study
   * Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera®) injection active at the time of the study
   * Etonogestrel implants (e.g., Implanon®, etc.) active at the time of the study
   * Etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal rings (e.g., Nuvaring®, etc.) active at the time of the study
   * Norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal system (e.g., Ortho-Evra®) active at the time of the study

   ii. Women currently pregnant (tested by serum and/or urine β-hCG)

   iii. Women currently breastfeeding
5. Concerns related to glucose metabolism

   i. History of having met any of the American Diabetes Association's definitions of diabetes mellitus (i.e., overt diabetes):
   * Hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5%, or rapid rise in documented HbA1c values causing clinical concern for evolving insulin deficiency
   * Plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL after 8-h fast
   * Plasma glucose of ≥ 200 mg/dL at 2 h after ingestion of a 75-g glucose load
   * Random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL associated with typical hyperglycemic symptoms, diabetic ketoacidosis, or hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state

   ii. History of gestational diabetes mellitus within the previous 5 years

   iii. Use of most antidiabetic medications within the 90 days prior to screening
   * Excluded: thiazolidinediones, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, amylin mimetics, acarbose, insulin
   * Metformin is acceptable provided that recruits meet all of the inclusion criteria at screening

   iv. Clinical concern for absolute insulin deficiency (e.g., type 1 diabetes, pancreatic disease)
6. Concerns related to lipid metabolism

   i. Known diagnoses of familial hypercholesterolemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia, or familial hyperchylomicronemia

   ii. Use of certain lipid-lowering drugs within the 90 days prior to screening:
   * Statins or PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary prevention or for treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia. Statins or PCSK9 inhibitors for primary prevention of ASCVD are acceptable.
   * Fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate, clofibrate, gemfibrozil)
   * High-dose niacin (\>100 mg daily)
7. Known, documented history (i.e., not to be newly screened/tested for study purposes), at the time of screening, of any of the following medical conditions:

   i. Pancreatic pathology, including but not limited to:
   * Pancreatic neoplasia, unless appropriately evaluated and considered benign and not producing hormones
   * Chronic pancreatitis
   * Acute pancreatitis within the previous 5 years
   * Autoimmune pancreatitis
   * Surgical removal of any portion of the pancreas

   ii. Cardiovascular disease (N.B. uncomplicated hypertension is not exclusionary)
   * Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
   * Stable or unstable angina
   * Myocardial infarction
   * Ischaemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or transient ischaemic attack
   * Peripheral arterial disease (claudication)
   * Use of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + P2Y12 inhibitor)
   * History of percutaneous coronary intervention
   * Heart rhythm abnormalities
   * Congestive heart failure of any New York Heart Association class
   * Symptomatic valvular heart disease (e.g., aortic stenosis)
   * Pulmonary hypertension

   iii. Chronic kidney disease, Stage 3 or higher (estimated glomerular filtration rate \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), of any cause

   iv. Chronic liver disease other than uncomplicated NAFLD, including but not limited to:
   * Advanced liver fibrosis, as determined by non-invasive testing
   * Cirrhosis of any etiology
   * Autoimmune hepatitis or other rheumatologic disorder affecting the liver
   * Biliopathy (e.g., progressive sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis)
   * Chronic liver infection (e.g., viral hepatitis, parasitic infestation)
   * Hepatocellular carcinoma
   * Infiltrative disorders (e.g., sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease)

     v. Gout

   vi. Chronic viral illness (N.B. diagnosis based only on medical history; the investigators will not test for any of these viruses at any point in this study)
   * Hepatitis B virus (HBV), unless previously successfully eradicated with antiviral drugs that have been discontinued for at least 90 days prior to screening
   * Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, unless previously successfully eradicated with antiviral drugs that have been discontinued for at least 90 d prior to screening
   * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

   vii. Malabsorptive conditions
   * Active inflammatory bowel disease (quiescent and off medication is acceptable)
   * Celiac disease (in remission on gluten-free diet is acceptable)
   * Surgical removal of a significant length of intestine

   viii. Active seizure disorder (including controlled with antiepileptic drugs)

   ix. Psychiatric diseases that:
   * Are or have been decompensated within 1 year of screening, and/or
   * Require use of anti-dopaminergic antipsychotic drugs associated with significant weight gain/metabolic dysfunction (e.g., clozapine, olanzapine), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or lithium

     x. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
   * Due to presence of quinine in tonic water placebo

   xi. Other endocrinopathies:
   * Cushing syndrome (okay if considered in remission after treatment, provided that no exogenous corticosteroids are required)
   * Adrenal insufficiency
   * Primary aldosteronism

   xii. Venous thromboembolic disease (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) or any required use of therapeutic anticoagulation

   xiii. Active malignancy, or hormonally active benign neoplasm, except allowances for:
   * Non-melanoma skin cancer
   * Differentiated thyroid cancer (AJCC Stage I only)
8. Clinical concern for increased risk of volume overload or hypotension (systolic blood pressure \<95 and/or diastolic blood pressure \<65 mm Hg), including due to medications and/or heart/liver/kidney problems, as listed above
9. Use of certain medications currently or within 90 d prior to screening:

   i. Prescribed medications used for any of the indications in the preceding list of excluded conditions, or their use within 90 d prior to screening, except allowances for:
   * Statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
   * Use of drugs prescribed for indications other than the exclusionary diagnoses/purposes listed above (e.g., non-hydantoin antiepileptic drugs used for non-seizure indications, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) used for uncomplicated hypertension rather than for congestive heart failure, etc.) •• Note, as above, that antidiabetic drugs for any indication (except metformin) within 90 d of screening are excluded

   ii. Vasodilating drugs for any indication: hydralazine, nitrates, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil), minoxidil (oral)

   iii. Phenytoin or fosphenytoin for any indication

   iv. Oral or parenteral corticosteroids (at greater than prednisone 5 mg daily, or equivalent) for more than 3 days within the previous 90 days; topical and inhaled formulations are permitted

   v. Fludrocortisone

   vi. Opioids
10. History of certain weight-loss (bariatric) surgeries, including:

    i. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

    ii. Biliopancreatic diversion

    iii. Restrictive procedures (lap band, sleeve gastrectomy) performed within past 6 months
11. Clinical concern for alcohol overuse, including based on chart review and/or by participant's report of consuming more than 14 standard drinks per week for males or more than 7 standard drinks per week for females
12. Positive urine drug screen, except for:

    * Lawfully prescribed medication
    * Marijuana/THC positivity is okay, provided that the participant agrees not to use it during the same period that they will abstain from alcohol
13. History of severe infection or ongoing febrile illness within 30 days of screening
14. Any other disease or condition or laboratory value that, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the participant at an unacceptable risk and/or interfere with the analysis of study data.
15. Known allergy/hypersensitivity to any component of the medicinal product formulations (including sulfa drugs), other biologics, IV infusion equipment, plastics, adhesive or silicone, history of infusion site reactions with IV administration of other medicines, or ongoing clinically important allergy/hypersensitivity as judged by the investigator.
16. Concurrent enrollment in another clinical study of any investigational drug therapy or use of any biologicals within 6 months prior to screening or within 5 half-lives of an investigational agent or biologic, whichever is longer.

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

• Columbia University Irving Medical Center — New York, New York, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Joshua R Cook, MD, PhD — Columbia University
• Study coordinator: Zachary Sone

Conditions: Hyperinsulinemia, Insulin Resistance, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Prediabetic State, Insulin resistance, Triglycerides