The Effects of Glucagon on Renal Regional Blood Flow in Humans Measured by Magnetic Resonance.

This study will investigating the effects of glucagon on renal blood flow in humans using MRI technology. Glucagon, a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels. It has been shown to affect renal function, including electrolyte balance and blood flow, especially in conditions like type 2 diabetes where abnormal glucagon levels are common. The study aims to understand how glucagon affects regional blood flow in the kidneys, specifically the cortex and medulla, and whether these effects are mediated by glucagon receptors.

The study will be conducted on 10 healthy male participants aged 20-60 years. It involves three test days where participants will receive either glucagon, glucagon with a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, or placebo. Blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and other renal functions will be measured using MRI. The study seeks to clarify whether glucagon's effects on the kidneys are linked to changes in regional blood flow and to determine if these effects are mediated solely by glucagon receptors.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Kidney Diseases
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Glucagon; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Drug: Sodium chloride

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Normal health confirmed through; Interview and Medical examination
• Normal values with respect to blood concentrations of fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma total cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, HDL, LDL, creatinine, liver function tests, and electrolytes
• Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Immunosuppressive treatment in the previous 12 months
• Alcohol abuse
• Medical treatment with oral glucocorticoids, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, or GLP-1 receptor agonists, which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may interfere with glucose metabolism
• Use of lithium
• Medical treatment that affects insulin secretion or the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
• Liver disease (ALT > 2x normal value)
• Renal impairment (serum creatinine > 130 µM and/or albuminuria)
• Individuals with severe claustrophobia
• Individuals with MR-incompatible foreign bodies
• Individuals with hypertension

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Glucagon	Drug: Glucagon; Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes.; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes, plus a GLP-1R antagonist, exendin 9-39 (900 pmol·kg-¹·min-¹), given intravenously from -30 to 60 minutes; Drug: Sodium chloride; Placebo (0.9% NaCl).
Experimental: Glucagon+Exendin9-39	Drug: Glucagon; Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes.; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes, plus a GLP-1R antagonist, exendin 9-39 (900 pmol·kg-¹·min-¹), given intravenously from -30 to 60 minutes; Drug: Sodium chloride; Placebo (0.9% NaCl).
Placebo Comparator: Sodium chloride (Placebo comparator)	Drug: Glucagon; Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes.; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes, plus a GLP-1R antagonist, exendin 9-39 (900 pmol·kg-¹·min-¹), given intravenously from -30 to 60 minutes; Drug: Sodium chloride; Placebo (0.9% NaCl).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Blood perfusion of the kidney	we would like to measure blood perfusion of the kidneys over time	7 measurements of 10 minutes each from the start of infusion (time 0) and up to one hour (time 60).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Blood flow of the renal arteries	7 measurements of 10 minutes each from the start of infusion (time 0) and up to one hour (time 60).
blood oxygen saturation of the kidneys	7 measurements of 10 minutes each from the start of infusion (time 0) and up to one hour (time 60).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bispebjerg Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 6, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 12, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): October 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 29, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Kidney Diseases; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Peptide Hormones; Peptides; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Inorganic Chemicals; Chlorine Compounds; Pancreatic Hormones; Sodium Compounds; Proglucagon; Chlorides; Hydrochloric Acid; Glucagon; Sodium Chloride
• Other Study ID Numbers: H-24012271

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No