Carnitine Supplementation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

December 3, 2020 updated by: Maastricht University Medical Center

Carnitine Supplementation as a Therapy to Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Low Carnitine Status

the results from animal studies and preliminary human studies show that carnitine availability and acetylcarnitine concentrations are low in insulin resistant states such as with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, in humans, carnitine supplementation is sometimes beneficial, but not in everyone. We hypothesize that this variability in response might be due to differences between individuals in the amount of carnitine in the muscle i.e. subjects with a low initial carnitine status will benefit more from supplementation. The state of the art non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy method allows us to identify patients muscle acetylcarnitine status. Here we aim to test whether carnitine improves insulin sensitivity, furthermore, whether acetylcarnitine concentration at baseline or other characteristics are associated with the response (in insulin sensitivity) to carnitine supplementation. Furthermore, we will examine the potentially positive effect of carnitine supplementation in type 2 diabetes patients on intrahepatic lipid content, acetylcarnitine formation, blood plasma metabolites, body composition, physical performance and quality of life

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Rationale: Type 2 diabetic patients are characterized by a decreased metabolic flexibility: a reduced capability to switch from fat oxidation in the basal state to carbohydrate oxidation in the insulin-stimulated state. This metabolic inflexibility is an early hallmark in the development of diabetes. Recent evidence suggests that a low carnitine availability may limit acetylcarnitine formation, thereby reducing metabolic flexibility. Thus, when substrate flux in the muscle is high, acetyl-CoA concentrations increase, leading to inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and thereby reducing glucose oxidation. The conversion of acetyl-CoA to acetylcarnitine relieves this acetyl-CoA pressure on PDH. In humans, carnitine supplementation is sometimes also beneficial, but not in everyone. Here we aim to test whether carnitine improves insulin sensitivity, furthermore, whether acetylcarnitine concentration at baseline or other characteristics are associated with the response (in insulin sensitivity) to carnitine supplementation. Furthermore, we will examine the potentially positive effect of carnitine supplementation in type 2 diabetes patients on intrahepatic lipid content, acetylcarnitine formation, blood plasma metabolites, body composition, physical performance and quality of life Objective: The primary objective is to investigate whether carnitine improves insulin sensitivity, furthermore, whether acetylcarnitine concentration at baseline or other characteristics are associated with the response (in insulin sensitivity) to carnitine supplementation. Furthermore, we will examine the potentially positive effect of carnitine supplementation in type 2 diabetes patients on intrahepatic lipid content, acetylcarnitine formation, blood plasma metabolites, body composition, physical performance and quality of life Study design: The current study is an interventional design with one study arm. Subjects will not be blinded for the intervention since all subjects will receive oral carnitine supplementation.

Study population: n=32, patient with type 2 diabetes (BMI 25-38, age 40-75 years) male and female will be included. Only subjects with relatively well-controlled non-insulin depended diabetes will be included.

Intervention (if applicable): Participants will be asked to take three chewing tablets of L-carnitine (330mg), three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), for 96 days.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary study endpoints are insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility, measured by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Secondary endpoints are maximal acetylcarnitine concentrations after exercise, Intrahepatic lipid content, body composition, metabolites in the blood before (i.e. glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin), functional markers of physical performance, cognition, quality of life and quality of sleep.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
32

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Netherlands
    • Limburg
      • Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, 6229ER
        • Maastricht University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

36 years to 71 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men and woman
  • Age: 40-75 years
  • Woman should be postmenopausal
  • BMI: 25-38 kg/m2
  • Stable dietary habits
  • No use of medication interfering with investigated study parameters (as determined by responsible physician)
  • Use of oral glucose lowering medication (metformin only or in combination with sulfonylurea agents)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Haemoglobin levels < 7.8 mmol/L
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Use of anticoagulants
  • Insulin dependent type 2 diabetic patients.
  • No signs of active liver or kidney malfunction.
  • Engagement in exercise > 3 hours a week
  • Being vegetarian or vegan (because of altered whole body carnitine status)
  • Alcohol and/or drug abuse
  • Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss > 5kg in the last 3 months)
  • Significant food allergies/intolerances (seriously hampering study meals)
  • Participation in another biomedical study within 1 month before the first study visit, which would possibly hamper our study results
  • Medication use known to hamper subject's safety during the study procedures
  • Subjects with contra-indications for MRI
  • Subjects who intend to donate blood during the intervention or subjects who have donated blood less than three months before the start of the study
  • Subjects who do not want to be informed about unexpected medical findings
  • No signs of active diabetes-related co-morbidities like active cardiovascular diseases, active diabetic foot, polyneuropathy or retinopathy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Experimental: carnitine intervention (in all participants)
All subjects will undergo oral Carnitene (L-Carnitine or levocarnitine) supplementation for 96 days.The total dosage of L-carnitine per day will be 2970mg. Consumption of the chewing tablets will be divided over the day. Intake of these chewing tablets will be during breakfast (990mg), lunch (990mg) and during diner (990mg). Since the chewing tablets are only available in concentrations of 330mg, participants have to consume 3 chewing tablets per meal, a total of 9 chewing tablets each day.
Drug: Carnitene (L-Carnitine or Levocarnitine)
All subjects will undergo oral Carnitene (L-Carnitine or levocarnitine) supplementation for 96 days.The total dosage of L-carnitine per day will be 2970mg. Consumption of the chewing tablets will be divided over the day. Intake of these chewing tablets will be during breakfast (990mg), lunch (990mg) and during diner (990mg). Since the chewing tablets are only available in concentrations of 330mg, participants have to consume 3 chewing tablets per meal, a total of 9 chewing tablets each day.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Insulin sensitivity
Time Frame: 2-step hyperinsulinemische-egulycemische clamp (5.5 hours)

Whole body insulin sensitivity measured as GIR in µmol/kg/min during the stable period of the insulin phase of the clamp.

  • Hepatic insulin sensitivity measured as percent EGP supression in µmol/kg/min.
  • Peripheral insulin sensitivity measured as Rd in µmol/kg/min.
2-step hyperinsulinemische-egulycemische clamp (5.5 hours)
Metabolic flexibility
Time Frame: 2-step hyperinsulinemische-egulycemische clamp (5.5 hours)
delta RER between basal and insulin stimulated state (both low (10mU) and high (40mU) insulin state
2-step hyperinsulinemische-egulycemische clamp (5.5 hours)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Maximal acetylcarnitine concentrations after exercise
Time Frame: 45 minutes
Measured using 1H-MRS after 30 minutes of cycling at 70% Wmax
45 minutes
Body composition (bod pod)
Time Frame: 30 minutes
determination fat mass and fat free mass
30 minutes
Intrahepatic lipid content
Time Frame: 45 minutes
Measured using 1H-MRS
45 minutes
physical performance
Time Frame: 6 minutes
distance covered in 6 minutes by walking
6 minutes
physical performance
Time Frame: 5 minutes
10 sit-standing exercises
5 minutes
Quality of life
Time Frame: 15 minutes
32-item questionnaire about Quality of Life. Reporting happens via a score on the so called combined quality of life score scale. The survey ranges between 32-160 points, with a higher score indicating a better QoL
15 minutes
Quality of sleep
Time Frame: 15 minutes
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to estimate quality of sleep (QoS) over the previous month. Reporting happens via a score on the so quality of sleep score scale. The score ranges between 0-21, with a lower score indicating a better sleep quality
15 minutes
Cognitive performance
Time Frame: 1 hour
CANTAB
1 hour

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Maximal aerobic capacity
Time Frame: 20 minutes
(measured during a VO2max cycling test)
20 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Maastricht University Medical Center

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Vera Schrauwen, Dr, Maastricht University Medical Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 11, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 11, 2019

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 24, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 25, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 26, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
December 7, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 3, 2020

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
December 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NL62791.068.17

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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