Hypoglycemia and Autonomic Nervous System Function-B (HypoANS-B)

December 30, 2025 updated by: Gail Kurr Adler, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Hypoglycemia and Autonomic Nervous System Function

This study tests the hypothesis that, compared to prior normal blood sugar, prior low blood sugar impairs cardiovascular autonomic function. The proposed studies will also test the hypothesis that the effects of prior low blood sugar on cardiovascular autonomic function are blocked by administration of a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.

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

This study involves three interventions, which are performed in random order. Each intervention involves a 3-day inpatient visit. There is a space of 1-3 months between interventions. The three interventions are: 1) placebo with a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, 2) spironolactone with a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp, or 3) placebo with a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp. Each 3-day inpatient visit includes the following. On Day 1, autonomic testing is performed. Autonomic testing includes assessment of Baroreflex Sensitivity (BRS). BRS is assessed using the Modified Oxford procedure, which involves sequential administration of nitroprusside and phenylephrine while measuring heart rate and beat to beat blood pressure with a finapress and assessing Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity (MSNA). MSNA is measured using microelectrodes placed near the peroneal nerve. On Day 2, hyperinsulinemic clamps are performed with pre-treatment with either placebo or spironolactone. Modified Oxford Procedures are performed prior to and during each clamp on Day 2. On Day 3, the autonomic testing performed on Day 1 is repeated..

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.
28

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.
  • Phase 4

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

  • United States
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
        • Brigham and Women's Hospital
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
        • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

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

18 years to 55 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy volunteers
  • Males and females age 18 to 55 years

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Clinically evident coronary artery, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease, or presence of systemic illness that might affect autonomic function. Such illnesses include diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, hypertension, renal, pulmonary, hepatic disease, anemia, malignancies, untreated thyroid disease, and alcoholism.
  • Current major depressive illness
  • In all subjects, any individuals on oral, injected, inhaled or topical corticosteroids within the last year or oral contraceptives within the past 3 months will be excluded.
  • Use of medications other than thyroxine
  • Known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin, nitroprusside and/or phenylephrine.
  • Blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg
  • Creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL
  • Serum potassium >5.2 mmol/L
  • Estimated GFR < 50 mL/min
  • Use of Viagra, Cialis, and similar drugs within 72 hours of admission.

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: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

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.
Active Comparator: Hypoglycemia and Spironolactone
Participants undergo two 120-minute hypoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedures (50 mg/dL) - an AM clamp from about 9 am to 11 am and a PM clamp from 1 pm to 3 pm on Day 2 of a 3-Day study visit. Participants receive two doses of 100 mg of spironolactone - one dose 12 hours and one dose 3 hours before the first clamp starts. Modified Oxford Procedure is performed in duplicate at six time points - on Day 1, before the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, before the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, and on Day 3. The Modified Oxford procedure is performed to calculate baroreflex sensitivity.
Drug: Spironolactone
Participants will receive spironolactone 12 hours and 3 hours before the initiation of the hyperinsulinemic clamp treatment.
Other: Hypoglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp
Participants undergo two 120-minute hypoglycemic (50 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic clamps - an AM clamp from about 9 am to 11 am and a PM clamp from 1 pm to 3 pm on Day 2 of a 3-Day study visit. Modified Oxford Procedure is performed in duplicate at six time points - on Day 1, before the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, before the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, and on Day 3. The Modified Oxford procedure is performed to calculate baroreflex sensitivity.
Other Names:
  • Hypoglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp Procedure
Active Comparator: Hypoglycemia and Placebo
Participants undergo two 120-minute hypoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedures (50 mg/dL) - an AM clamp from about 9 am to 11 am and a PM clamp from 1 pm to 3 pm on Day 2 of a 3-Day study visit. Participants receive two doses of placebo - one dose 12 hours and one dose 3 hours before the first clamp starts. Modified Oxford Procedure is performed in duplicate at six time points - on Day 1, before the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, before the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, and on Day 3. The Modified Oxford procedure is performed to calculate baroreflex sensitivity.
Other: Hypoglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp
Participants undergo two 120-minute hypoglycemic (50 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic clamps - an AM clamp from about 9 am to 11 am and a PM clamp from 1 pm to 3 pm on Day 2 of a 3-Day study visit. Modified Oxford Procedure is performed in duplicate at six time points - on Day 1, before the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, before the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, and on Day 3. The Modified Oxford procedure is performed to calculate baroreflex sensitivity.
Other Names:
  • Hypoglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp Procedure
Drug: Placebo
Participants will receive placebo 12 hours and 3 hours before the initiation of the hyperinsulinemic clamp treatment.
Placebo Comparator: Euglycemia and Placebo
Participants undergo two 120-minute euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedures (90 mg/dL) - an AM clamp from about 9 am to 11 am and a PM clamp from 1 pm to 3 pm on Day 2 of a 3-Day study visit. Participants receive two doses of placebo - one dose 12 hours and one dose 3 hours before the first clamp starts. Modified Oxford Procedure is performed in duplicate at six time points - on Day 1, before the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, before the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, and on Day 3. The Modified Oxford procedure is performed to calculate baroreflex sensitivity.
Drug: Placebo
Participants will receive placebo 12 hours and 3 hours before the initiation of the hyperinsulinemic clamp treatment.
Other: Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp
Participants undergo two 120-minute euglycemic (90 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic clamps - an AM clamp from about 9 am to 11 am and a PM clamp from 1 pm to 3 pm on Day 2 of a 3-Day study visit.Modified Oxford Procedure is performed in duplicate at six time points - on Day 1, before the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the AM hyperinsulinemic clamp, before the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the PM hyperinsulinemic clamp, and on Day 3. The Modified Oxford procedure is performed to calculate baroreflex sensitivity.
Other Names:
  • Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp Procedure

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
Baroreflex Sensitivity assessed on Day 3
Time Frame: Baroreflex sensitivity is assessed on the 3rd day of each treatment (i.e. about 16 hours after completion of the hyperinsulinemic clamp)
Comparison of Day 3 baroreflex sensitivity (milliseconds/mm Hg) assessed during Hypoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp + Placebo treatment as compared to Hypoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp + Spironolactone treatment.
Baroreflex sensitivity is assessed on the 3rd day of each treatment (i.e. about 16 hours after completion of the hyperinsulinemic clamp)

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
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity assessed on Day 3
Time Frame: Muscle sympathetic nerve activity is assessed on the 3rd day of each treatment (i.e. about 16 hours after completion of the hyperinsulinemic clamp)
Comparison of Day 3 muscle sympathetic nerve activity (bursts/min) assessed during hypoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp + placebo treatment as compared to hypoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp + spironolactone treatment.
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity is assessed on the 3rd day of each treatment (i.e. about 16 hours after completion of the hyperinsulinemic clamp)

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.
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

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: Roy Freeman, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Principal Investigator: Gail Adler, MD/PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital

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.
July 17, 2013

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 25, 2025

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 25, 2025

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).
January 30, 2018

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.
February 9, 2018

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.
February 12, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

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.
January 2, 2026

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 30, 2025

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, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

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.
  • 2004P001233-B
  • K24HL103845 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • UL1TR001102 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • R01HL109634 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The data collected will comply with the NIH requirements for timely release and data sharing. Data will be shared in the form of publications and presentations in scientific forums. As the NIH has noted, the investigators reserve the right to keep the data restricted in order to perform the initial analyses for this grant proposal and will continue to use the data for further, but not prolonged, exclusive use. Of note, the sharing of this data will be limited by at least the following issues, some unique to this proposal and some not unique. Some of the data obtained in this study is defined to be sensitive in nature, which may restrict its ability to be shared. Data may only be shared with the approval of our IRB and is limited by HIPPA and any other regulations that may be promulgated during the course of this proposal.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Data will be shared after completion of study and initial publications which we anticipate to be within 18 months of the final participant completing the study protocol.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Access to data must be approved by the IRB at our institution.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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