Tracking how labeled glucose is used by immune cells in real time

Tracing Of Real-time glu13Cose Metabolism in Human Immune Cells

NA · Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NCT06930976

Adults will receive a short infusion of safe, non-radioactive labeled glucose while researchers take blood immune cells to see how those cells use glucose for energy and as building material.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment12 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVanderbilt University Medical Center (other)
Locations1 site (Nashville, Tennessee)
Trial IDNCT06930976 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-site interventional study gives participants an intravenous infusion of 13C6-glucose, a non-radioactive stable isotope tracer, over a few hours. Investigators will collect blood samples during and after the infusion to isolate immune cell populations and measure incorporation of the 13C label into metabolic pathways using mass spectrometry and tracer analysis. The goal is to map real-time glucose uptake and its use for energy production and biosynthesis within human immune cells. Standard exclusions include pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, incarceration, recent large blood draws, or any condition or medication judged by investigators to interfere with the measurements.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults age 18 or older who can attend in-person visits at Vanderbilt, are not pregnant, do not have uncontrolled diabetes, and can safely provide the required blood samples are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant, incarcerated, have uncontrolled hyperglycemia/diabetes, or have medical conditions or medications that could interfere with metabolism are unlikely to benefit and are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal how immune cells alter glucose use and guide development of better diagnostics or therapies for immune-related conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Stable isotope tracer approaches like 13C-glucose have been used successfully in animal models and human metabolic studies, but applying real-time 13C tracing specifically to circulating immune cells is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 or older

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant
* Prisoner or in police custody
* Uncontrolled hyperglycemia/diabetes
* Current participation in another study where the total volume of blood drawn, when added to this study blood draw volume, exceeds 500cc in an 8 week period
* Any medical issue or pharmacologic exposure which, in the opinion of the study investigator, that might interfere with the study objectives
* Any reason which, in the opinion of the study investigator, adds additional risk to the participant

Where this trial is running

Nashville, Tennessee

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Glucose, Metabolism, Isotope Labeling, Immune System and Related Disorders

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.