Effects of ultrasound on blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes

Effects of Multi-Site Abdominal Ultrasound Stimulation on Glycemic Control in T2DM

This study is testing whether a new ultrasound treatment can help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar levels.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 21 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Yale University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (New Haven, Connecticut)
• Trial ID: NCT05354947 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This exploratory pilot study investigates the impact of dual site focused pulsed ultrasound treatment on glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants will receive ultrasound stimulation at multiple abdominal sites to assess its potential to lower elevated glucose levels. The study aims to determine if this non-invasive intervention can lead to lasting improvements in glycemic parameters. It includes a diverse group of patients currently managing their diabetes with oral medications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 to 75 with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least three months, currently on stable oral anti-diabetic medications.

Not a fit: Patients with type 1 diabetes, those on insulin, or individuals using certain diabetes medications will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a novel, non-invasive method for improving blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is exploratory, similar studies using ultrasound for glycemic control have shown promise, though this specific method is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female subjects with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes ≥ 3 months.
2. Age ≥ 21 and ≤ 75 years.
3. Currently on a stable treatment regimen of oral anti-diabetic drugs and not currently prescribed for medication escalation. Oral anti-diabetic drugs are limited to one or more of the following:

   * Metformin
   * Sulfonylureas
   * Meglitinides
   * Thiazolidinediones
4. HbA1c \> 7.0% and \< 10% by local laboratory analysis.
5. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18 to ≤ 40.0 kg/m2.
6. Considered generally healthy upon completion of medical history, physical examination and biochemical investigations as judged by the Principal Investigator.
7. Female subjects must be non-pregnant and non-lactating and have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and before the ultrasound session.
8. Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History or current diagnosis with T1DM or T2DM subjects on insulin, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP agonists.
2. A subject who is already indicated for medication escalation of their current diabetic therapy.
3. A subject who has manifestations of advanced complications from poorly controlled or longstanding diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular complications including, but not limited to coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease such as transient ischemic attack \[TIA\], cerebral infarct, or cerebral hemorrhage.
4. History or current diagnosis of cardiac dysrhythmias or heart disease, defined as symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV), myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring medication.
5. Invasive cardiovascular procedure, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), or angioplasty/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 6 months of screening.
6. History of recurrent severe hypoglycemia (more than 1 event ≤ 6 month)
7. Subjects with clinically active malignancy
8. History of renal disease or abnormal kidney function tests at Screening (glomerular filtration rate \[GFR\] \< 60 mL/min/1.73m2 as estimated using the MDRD equation).
9. History or active hepatic disease or clinically significant abnormal hepatic function tests at Screening suggestive of hepatic impairment (e.g., ALT and/or AST \>2 x ULN, GGT \>2 x ULN, total bilirubin \> 1 x ULN).
10. Subjects with a history or presence of any psychiatric disorder that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, might confound the results of the trial or pose additional risk in administering the investigational product to the subject.
11. Personal or family history of hypercoagulability or thromboembolic disease, including deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism (PE)
12. History of surgical treatment for obesity (bariatric surgery, gastric banding, etc.) or any other gastrointestinal surgery (including appendectomy, cholecystectomy), any malabsorption disorder, severe gastroparesis, any GI procedure for weight loss (including LAP-BAND®), as well as clinically significant gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. peptic ulcers, severe GERD) at Screening.
13. History of any major surgery within 3 months prior to screening.
14. Any nerve stimulation study or implanted stimulator, including previously or currently implanted vagus nerve stimulator, previously or currently implanted spinal cord stimulator, other implanted electronic medical device, such as implanted pacemaker or cardioverter/ defibrillator (AICD) or history of seizures.
15. Participation in an investigational study within 30 days prior to dosing or 5 half-lives within the last dose of the investigational product given during the investigational study, whichever is longer.
16. Current use of any drugs (other than current treatment for diabetes mellitus) that are known to interfere with glucose or insulin metabolism as stated below in table prohibited medication.
17. Thyroid hormone use is not allowed unless medication is given on a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to screening.
18. Subject is unable to tolerate adhesive tape or has any unresolved adverse skin reaction in the area of the glucose sensor placement.
19. Implanted pacemaker or cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD).
20. History of any active infection, incl. COVID19 (as ruled out by negative PCR test), except mild viral disease, such as common cold, within 30 days prior to screening.
21. Known history or positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) or type 2 (HIV-2).
22. History of any recent traumatic injury, including intracerebral hemorrhage and visceral injury.
23. Donation or loss of \> 500 mL of blood or blood product within 2 months prior to screening.
24. Mental incapacity, unwillingness or language barriers precluding adequate understanding and to follow verbal commands during the ultrasound session or cooperation.
25. An abdominal ultrasound scan or exam within 1 month prior to screening and/or any pre-planned ultrasound examinations during the study, or the need to participate in any unplanned outside ultrasound procedures during study.
26. Use of the agents listed in Prohibited Medications Table below (prescription or nonprescription) is prohibited until completion of all study activities.
27. Identification of risk of hypoglycemia or severely uncontrolled diabetes in screening visit metabolic assessments (CGM, OGTT, and fasting blood draws)

Where this trial is running

New Haven, Connecticut

• Yale-New Haven Hospital — New Haven, Connecticut, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Raimund Herzog, MD — Yale University
• Study coordinator: Alice Hahn

Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes