Glucagon's effects on blood sugar in people with and without bariatric surgery
Official title: The Role of Glucagon in Glucose Metabolism in Humans With and Without Bariatric Surgery
Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · NCT07212868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether giving glucagon or blocking its receptor changes short-term blood sugar control in non-diabetic adults who either had bariatric surgery or did not.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (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 | February 25, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 1, 2030 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07212868 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–65 without diabetes (HbA1c ≤6%), who either had gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy more than one year ago or have no history of GI surgery, and who can attend in-person visits and follow study requirements are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People with diabetes, HbA1c above 6%, recent gastrointestinal surgery, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those outside the 18–65 age range are unlikely to benefit or qualify for 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 Phase 1 interventional study compares acute glucagon infusion versus saline and a single subcutaneous dose of the investigational glucagon-receptor antibody REMD-477 versus placebo to measure effects on glucose metabolism. Aim 1 uses a glucose clamp with and without glucagon infusion to measure immediate changes in glucose handling; Aim 2 uses two-day meal studies with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to compare responses after REMD-477 or placebo. Participants include non-diabetic adults (HbA1c ≤6%) with prior gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy >1 year ago and a matched non-surgical group. Safety monitoring includes liver enzyme testing about 8 weeks after REMD-477 dosing and multiple in-person metabolic study visits over a 3–6 month participation window.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify how glucagon affects post-meal and fasting glucose and help guide new approaches to managing glucose changes after bariatric surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small human studies manipulating glucagon (infusion or receptor blockade) have demonstrated effects on glucose production and handling, but use of REMD-477 in post-bariatric populations is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form from participant. 2. Male or female, ≤65 and ≥18 years old 3. Subjects with history of gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy more than a year since surgery and non-surgical subjects without history of gastrointestinal (GI) surgery 4. HbA1c ≤6% 5. Willing to adhere to the study intervention regimen 6. Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and all the study visits, and must not be lactating 7. Females of childbearing potential who are sexually active with a nonsterilized male partner must use at least one highly effective method of contraception from screening and must agree to continue using such precautions during 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. Diabetes 2. Pregnancy/lactation 3. Hgb \<11 4. Current GI obstruction or chronic diarrhea 5. Subjects who are not within the age range of 18- 65 years. 6. Evidence of active cardiorespiratory, hepatic, gastrointestinal or renal disease. 7. History of allergy to the administered drugs. 8. 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. 9. Substance dependence or history of alcohol abuse and/or excess alcohol intake 10. Patients on ketogenic diet 11. Prisoners or institutionalized individuals 12. AST (SGOT) \> 3 times upper limit of normal 13. ALT (SGPT) \> 3 times upper limit of normal 14. History of clinical hypoglycemia documents based on Whipples' triad (ONLY for Aim 2)
Where it's running
-
Texas Diabetes Institute - University Health System
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting -
University of Texas San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marzieh Salehi, MD, MS — The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Marzieh Salehi, MD, MS
- Email: salehi@uthscsa.edu
- Phone: 210-450-8560
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Oral glucose tolerance testing to find hidden type 2 diabetes in at-risk people in Guadeloupe
This project will test whether an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) finds type 2 diabetes in adults of African or Indian origin in Guadeloupe who have normal fasting blood glucose but diabetes risk factors.
-
How the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index relates to heart artery imaging in non‑diabetic adults with early coronary artery disease
This study will see if the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index helps explain angiographic patterns in non‑diabetic adults who develop coronary artery disease at younger ages.
-
ANXV (Annexin A5) infusions for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion
This will test whether short daily infusions of ANXV can be given safely and help improve vision or reduce the need for rescue medication in adults with recent-onset non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion.
-
OTX-TKI (axitinib intravitreal implant) for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
This trial will test whether a long-acting axitinib hydrogel implant injected into one eye can slow worsening in adults with moderately severe to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
-
Evaluating TNTL for treating non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
This study is testing if a new drug called TNTL can help adults with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy see better and stay safe compared to a placebo.
-
Remote ischemic conditioning to treat early diabetic retinopathy
This trial will test whether remote ischemic conditioning — brief, repeated arm cuff inflations — helps adults aged 40–80 with mild-to-moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
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.