Adrenergic System in Islet Transplantation

Adrenergic Contribution to Glucose Counterregulation in Islet Transplantation

To determine the effect of sympathetic neural and hormonal (epinephrine) input on islet cell hormonal responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetic recipients of intrahepatic islet transplantation. We hypothesize that α-adrenergic (neural) blockage will abolish insulin-mediated suppression of C-peptide, attenuating α-cell glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia, and that β-adrenergic (hormonal) blockage will have no effect. Glucose counterregulatory responses will be measured during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamps on three occasions with randomized, double-blind administration of the α-adrenergic blocker phentolamine, the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol, or placebo. The demonstration of neural rather than hormonal regulation of the transplanted islet cell response to hypoglycemia is critical for understanding the mechanism for protection from hypoglycemia afforded by intrahepatically transplanted.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Hypoglycemia; Type1diabetes; Islet Cell Transplantation; Hypoglycemia Unawareness
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Propranolol; Drug: Phentolamine; Drug: Placebo

Detailed Description

This study is designed to test the hypothesis that α-adrenergic (neural) blockade will abolish insulin-mediated suppression of C-peptide, attenuating α-cell glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia, and that β-adrenergic (hormonal) blockade will have no effect. Glucose counterregulatory responses will be measured during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamps on three occasions with randomized, double-blind administration of the α-adrenergic blocker phentolamine, the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol, or placebo. The demonstration of neural rather than hormonal regulation of the transplanted islet cell response to hypoglycemia is critical for understanding the mechanism for protection from hypoglycemia afforded by intrahepatically transplanted islets.

Glucose counterregulation has not been studied in type 1 diabetic recipients of extrahepatic islet transplantation. Comparison of glucose counterregulatory responses measured during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamps will be compared to those obtained from type 1 diabetic recipients of intrahepatic islet transplantation studied under the placebo condition above.

Glucose counterregulation has not been directly compared between recipients of intrahepatic auto- and allo-islet transplantation. Direct comparison of glucose counterregulatory responses under the same experimental conditions is required to understand whether mechanisms other than the glucagon response may be important to the reported hypoglycemia affecting pancreatectomized recipients of islet auto-transplantation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 11
• Phase: Early Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
      • University of Pennsylvania - Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

GROUP 1

1. Male and female subjects age 21 to 65 years of age.
2. Subjects who are able to provide written informed consent and to comply with the procedures of the study protocol.
3. Clinical history compatible with type 1 diabetes with onset of disease at < 40 years of age and insulin-dependent for > 10 years at the time of islet transplantation > 6 months before study.
4. Stable islet graft function defined by C-peptide > 0.5 ng/ml and insulin-independent or insulin-dependent with daily insulin requirement < 0.2 units/kg•d to maintain HbA1c < 7.0%.
5. Use of standard immunosuppression consisting of tacrolimus with or without sirolimus or mycophenolic acid. Substitutions of tacrolimus with cyclosporine, and of sirolimus or mycophenolic acid with azathioprine are permissible if stable for over 3 months. Prednisone is allowable if no more than 5 mg daily.

Exclusion Criteria:

GROUP 1

1. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
2. Insulin requirement of ≥ 0.2 units/kg•day.
3. HbA1c ≥ 7.0%.
4. Uncontrolled hypertension: systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg.
5. History of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease, or current use of β-blocker therapy.
6. Bronchial asthma.
7. Abnormal kidney function: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.
8. Abnormal liver function: persistent elevation of liver function tests > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
9. Untreated hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, or Celiac disease.
10. Anemia: baseline hemoglobin concentration < 11 g/dl in women and < 12 g/dl in men.
11. Presence of a seizure disorder not related to prior severe hypoglycemia.
12. Use of glucocorticoids greater than 5 mg of prednisone daily, or an equivalent physiologic dose of hydrocortisone.
13. For female participants of child-bearing potential: Positive pregnancy test, presently breast-feeding, or unwillingness to use effective contraceptive measures for the duration of study participation. Oral contraceptives, intra-uterine devices, Norplant®, Depo-Provera®, and barrier devices with spermicide are acceptable contraceptive methods; condoms used alone are not acceptable.
14. Treatment with any anti-diabetic medication other than insulin within 4 weeks of enrollment.
15. Use of any investigational agents within 4 weeks of enrollment.
16. Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the PI, will interfere with the safe completion of the study

Inclusion Criteria GROUP 2

1. Male and female subjects age 21 to 65 years of age.
2. Subjects who are able to provide written informed consent and to comply with the procedures of the study protocol.
3. Clinical history compatible with type 1 diabetes with onset of disease at < 40 years of age and insulin-dependent for > 10 years at the time of islet transplantation > 6 months before study.
4. Stable islet graft function defined by C-peptide > 0.5 ng/ml and insulin-independent or insulin-dependent with daily insulin requirement < 0.2 units/kg•d to maintain HbA1c < 7.0%.
5. Use of standard immunosuppression consisting of tacrolimus with or without sirolimus or mycophenolic acid. Substitutions of tacrolimus with cyclosporine, and of sirolimus or mycophenolic acid with azathioprine are permissible if stable for over 3 months. Prednisone is allowable if no more than 5 mg daily.

Exclusion Criteria:

GROUP 2

1. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
2. Insulin requirement of ≥ 0.2 units/kg•day.
3. HbA1c ≥ 7.0%.
4. Uncontrolled hypertension: systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg.
5. Active cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease.
6. Abnormal kidney function: eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.
7. Abnormal liver function: persistent elevation of liver function tests > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
8. Untreated hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, or Celiac disease.
9. Anemia: baseline hemoglobin concentration < 11 g/dl in women and < 12 g/dl in men.
10. Presence of a seizure disorder not related to prior severe hypoglycemia.
11. Use of glucocorticoids greater than 5 mg of prednisone daily, or an equivalent physiologic dose of hydrocortisone.
12. For female participants of child-bearing potential: Positive pregnancy test, presently breast-feeding, or unwillingness to use effective contraceptive measures for the duration of study participation. Oral contraceptives, intra-uterine devices, Norplant®, Depo-Provera®, and barrier devices with spermicide are acceptable contraceptive methods; condoms used alone are not acceptable.
13. Treatment with any anti-diabetic medication other than insulin within 4 weeks of enrollment.
14. Use of any investigational agents within 4 weeks of enrollment.
15. Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the PI, will interfere with the safe completion of the study

Inclusion Criteria GROUP 3

Patients who meet all of the following criteria are eligible for participation in Group 3 of this study:

1. Male and female subjects age 21 to 65 years of age.
2. Subjects who are able to provide written informed consent and to comply with the procedures of the study protocol.
3. Clinical history compatible with total pancreatectomy and autologous islet transplantation > 6 months before study.
4. Stable islet graft function defined by C-peptide > 0.5 ng/ml and insulin-independent or insulin-dependent with daily insulin requirement < 0.2 units/kg•d to maintain HbA1c < 7.0%.

Exclusion Criteria:

GROUP 3

1. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
2. Insulin requirement of ≥ 0.2 units/kg•day.
3. HbA1c ≥ 7.0%.
4. Uncontrolled hypertension: systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg.
5. Active cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease.
6. Abnormal kidney function: eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.
7. Abnormal liver function: persistent elevation of liver function tests > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
8. Anemia: baseline hemoglobin concentration < 11 g/dl in women and < 12 g/dl in men.
9. Presence of a seizure disorder not related to prior severe hypoglycemia.
10. Use of glucocorticoids greater than 5 mg of prednisone daily, or an equivalent physiologic dose of hydrocortisone.
11. For female participants of child-bearing potential: Positive pregnancy test, presently breast-feeding, or unwillingness to use effective contraceptive measures for the duration of study participation. Oral contraceptives, intra-uterine devices, Norplant®, Depo-Provera®, and barrier devices with spermicide are acceptable contraceptive methods; condoms used alone are not acceptable.
12. Treatment with any anti-diabetic medication other than insulin within 4 weeks of enrollment.
13. Use of any investigational agents within 4 weeks of enrollment.
14. Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the PI, will interfere with the safe completion of the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Group 1-Propranolol Intra-hepatic islet; The dose of propranolol will be 0.48 μg/kilogram•minute, which will provide a total dose of 0.10 mg/kg. It will be administered 1 x only via intravenous infusion over 3.5 hours, starting 30 min before conduct of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic (90 min) followed by hypoglycemia (90 min) clamp.	Drug: Propranolol; Physiologic receptor blockade (β2-receptor).; Other Names: Inderal
Active Comparator: Group 1-Phentolamine Intra-hepatic islet; The dose of phentolamine will be 0.95 μg/kg•min, which will provide a total dose of 0.20 mg/kg. It will be administered 1 x only via intravenous infusion over 3.5 hours, starting 30 min before conduct of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic (90 min) followed by hypoglycemia (90 min) clamp.	Drug: Phentolamine; Physiologic receptor blockade (α1-receptor).; Other Names: Regitine
Placebo Comparator: Group 1- Placebo Intra-hepatic islet; Placebo in 100mL NSS. Infuse Intravenously at 0.0095 ML/KG/MIN. 1 x only via intravenous infusion over 3.5 hours, starting 30 min before conduct of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic (90 min) followed by hypoglycemia (90 min) clamp.	Drug: Placebo; 100mL bag of Normal Saline Solution (NSS).; Other Names: Saline; Sodium Chloride Solution
No Intervention: Group 2 - Extra-hepatic islet; Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic (90 min) followed by hypoglycemia (90 min) clamp only.
No Intervention: Group 3 - Intra-hepatic auto islet; Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic (90 min) followed by hypoglycemia (90 min) clamp only.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
C-PEPTIDE suppression during hyperinsulinemia euglycemia.	The primary outcome measures will be the levels of C-peptide during hyperinsulinemia euglycemia.	For C-peptide at the 60-90 time-point during the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamp.
GLUCAGON activation during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia.	The primary outcome measures will be the levels of glucagon during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia.	For Glucagon at the 150-180 minute time-point during the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamp.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
EPINEPHRINE during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia.	Secondary outcome measures will include levels of epinephrine during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia.	During metabolic testing in the 150-180 minute time-point of the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamp.
Rates of ENDOGENOUS GLUCOSE PRODUCTION during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia.	Secondary outcome measures will include rates of endogenous glucose production during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia	During metabolic testing in the 150-180 minute time-point of the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic-hypoglycemic clamp.
AUTONOMIC SYMPTOMS during hyperinsulinemia	Secondary outcome measures will include levels of autonomic symptoms during hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia. Autonomic symptoms will be measured by answering a short symptoms questionnaire with a level scale of 0-5.	During metabolic testing; this symptom questionnaire will be asked at the following time points: -15min, -1min, 30min, 60min,75min, 90min,120min, 150min, 165min, 180min.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
• Collaborators: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael R Rickels, MD., MS, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Research Studies
• Perelman School of Medicine / Faculty Search /Michael Rickels, M.D., M.S.
• Research Studies at the University of Pennsylvania

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 20, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 30, 2019
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 28, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 8, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): March 15, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 30, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 28, 2023
• Last Verified: August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Islet Graft Function; Islet Cell transplantation; Auto-islet transplantation; Intra-hepatic islets; Extra-hepatic islets
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Hypoglycemia; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adrenergic Antagonists; Adrenergic Agents; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Antihypertensive Agents; Vasodilator Agents; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Propranolol; Phentolamine
• Other Study ID Numbers: 826386; 2R01DK091331-06 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: It is not yet known if there will be any further plan to make IPD available besides the Informed Consent.

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.: No