NCT01209416

The Effect of Pharmacological Antilipolysis on the Metabolic Effects of Ghrelin

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 8 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Aarhus · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will investigate the non-growth-hormone-dependent metabolic effects of the hormone Ghrelin in growth hormone deficient subjects by examining the insulin tolerance as well as signal proteins in fat and muscle biopsies.

Detailed description

Ghrelin is a relatively 'new' hormone that is produced in the stomach and to a lesser extend in the hypothalamus of the brain. The actions of ghrelin are diverse and includes stimulation of the appetite center of the brain and the release of growth hormone. We have for the first time shown that ghrelin also stimulates the metabolism of fatty acids and induces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. These effects have we confirmed in growth hormone deficient subjects on a stabile substitution treatment with growth hormone and hydrocortisone. With these subjects we can investigate the effects of ghrelin that are independent of growth hormone. The present study is a continuation of these findings, as we wish to investigate whether the insulin resistance effect of ghrelin is dependent of the concomitant metabolism of fatty acids. This is possible by administration of the niacin acid antagonist Acipimox, that blocks the fatty acid metabolism reversibly. We have applied this experimental principle in other settings with success. Knowledge of the effects of ghrelin in general can in shot-sight as well as in long-sight have great importance for the understanding of growth disorders from overweight and type 2 diabetes to malnutrition and eating disorders.

Conditions

• Metabolism
• Insulin Resistance
• Hypopituitarism

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Acipimox	Tablet Acipimox 250 mg administered 4 times previous to and during the investigation day
DRUG	Ghrelin	Ghrelin infusion 4.2 ng/kg/min throughout the investigation day
OTHER	Placebo	placebo tablets or saline infusion

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-06-01
• Primary completion: 2014-10-01
• Completion: 2015-10-01
• First posted: 2010-09-27
• Last updated: 2017-10-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Denmark