Mathematical Modeling of Blood Sugar and Hormone Responses in Insulin-Dependent Type 2 Diabetes (MT2D)

Mathematical Modeling of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This observational study aims to collect detailed metabolic and physiologic data from adults with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus following consumption of a mixed meal tolerance test. Participants will undergo frequent blood sampling over a 4-hour period after consuming a standardized liquid mixed meal to measure glucose, insulin, glucagon, C-peptide, and triglyceride responses. Participants will also use continuous glucose monitoring and wearable physical activity tracking devices during free-living conditions.

The purpose of this study is to develop mathematical models and digital representations ("digital twins") of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These models may help researchers better understand metabolic responses to meals, physical activity, and diabetes treatments, and may support future development of personalized diabetes technologies and therapies.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes; Insulin Dependent Diabetes

Detailed Description

Participants will first complete a screening visit at the Clinical Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Screening procedures include assessment of medical history, dietary habits, physical activity history, body measurements, vital signs, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and evaluation of eligibility criteria. Eligible participants will receive a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and wearable activity tracker and will complete dietary recall assessments during the outpatient monitoring period.

Participants will undergo approximately 8 days of outpatient monitoring using continuous glucose monitoring and wearable physical activity tracking devices during free-living conditions. During this period, participants will continue their usual diabetes management and daily activities while recording dietary intake and medication use.

Participants will then complete an in-clinic Liquid Meal Test (LMT) visit following an overnight fast. During the study-day visit, an indwelling intravenous catheter will be placed for repeated venous blood collection. Blood samples will be collected before and over a 4-hour period after consumption of a standardized liquid meal consisting of vanilla-flavored Ensure®. Plasma measurements will include glucose, insulin, glucagon, C-peptide, and triglycerides. Participants will remain seated and monitored throughout the study visit, and safety assessments will be performed before discharge.

The information collected from continuous glucose monitoring, wearable activity tracking, dietary assessments, and repeated blood sampling will be used to develop mathematical models capable of simulating physiologic and metabolic responses in individuals with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus. These models may contribute to future research focused on personalized diabetes management, optimization of therapeutic strategies, and evaluation of diabetes technologies.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 25

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Chelsea Preiss, Clinical Research Manager, MS; Phone Number: 312-567-5300; Email: cpreiss@illinoistech.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60616
      • Recruiting
      • Illinois Institute of Technology
      • Contact: Chelsea Preiss, MS; Phone Number: 312-567-5300; Email: cpreiss@illinoistech.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Indika Edirisinghe, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults 18 to 65 years of age with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus will be recruited from the Illinois Institute of Technology Clinical Nutrition Research Center proprietary database, online advertisements, social media, community outreach, and local flyers. Eligible participants must be willing to undergo continuous glucose monitoring, wearable activity tracking, dietary assessment, overnight fasting, repeated blood collection, and a liquid meal tolerance test.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men or women, 18-65 years of age
• Diagnosed with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus HbA1c ≥ 6.5% at screening
• Current insulin therapy for ≥ 6 months prior to screening
• Nonsmokers (past smokers can be allowed if they have abstained for a minimum of 12 months)
• Judged to be in good health based on medical history (i.e., no clinical evidence of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, or hepatic disease)
• Able to provide informed consent
• Able to comply with and perform the procedures requested by the protocol (including dietary restrictions, consumption of study foods, records of food diary, sample collection procedures, and study visit schedule)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Men and women with known or suspected intolerance, allergies, or hypersensitivity to study foods
• Men and women with low hemoglobin (Hgb) levels below 9.5 g/dL at the screening visit, indicating anemia
• Men and women with blood pressure >160 mmHg (systolic) / 100 mmHg (diastolic) at the screening visit
• Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
• Major trauma or a surgical event within 2 months (or longer depending on trauma or event) and after consultation with PI.
• Vegan or other extreme dietary regimens (e.g., Atkins diet, etc.) as judged by the investigator
• History of an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating) diagnosed by a health professional
• Donated blood within the last 3 months
• Unstable weight: gained or lost weight +/- 5 kg (11 lbs) in previous 2 months
• Unusual working hours i.e., working overnight (e.g. 3rd shift)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Adults With Insulin-Dependent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Adults 18 to 65 years of age with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus who will undergo a liquid meal tolerance test with frequent blood sampling over 4 hours following consumption of a standardized liquid meal. Participants will also undergo outpatient continuous glucose monitoring and wearable physical activity tracking during free-living conditions to support mathematical modeling of metabolic and physiologic responses.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Plasma Glucose Concentration (mg/dL)	Plasma glucose concentrations will be measured from venous blood samples collected at baseline and multiple postprandial time points using a clinical chemistry analyzer (Randox). Unit of Measure: mg/dL	-10 to 240 minutes relative to meal consumption
Change in Plasma Insulin Concentration (µIU/mL)	Plasma insulin concentrations will be measured from venous blood samples collected at baseline and multiple postprandial time points using a clinical chemistry analyzer (Randox). Unit of Measure: (µIU/mL)	-10 to 240 minutes relative to meal consumption
Change in Plasma Glucagon Concentration (pg/mL)	Plasma glucagon concentrations will be measured from venous blood samples collected at baseline and multiple postprandial time points using a multiplex immunoassay platform (Luminex). Unit of Measure: pg/mL	-10 to 240 minutes relative to meal consumption
Change in Plasma C-Peptide Concentration (ng/mL)	Plasma C-peptide concentrations will be measured from venous blood samples collected at baseline and multiple postprandial time points using a multiplex immunoassay platform (Luminex). Unit of Measure: ng/mL	-10 to 240 minutes relative to meal consumption
Change in Plasma Triglyceride Concentration (mg/dL)	Plasma triglyceride concentrations will be measured from venous blood samples collected at baseline and multiple postprandial time points using a clinical chemistry analyzer (Randox). Unit of Measure: mg/dL	-10 to 240 minutes relative to meal consumption
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Metrics During Free-Living Conditions	Interstitial Glucose Concentration during Free-Living Conditions via Continuous Glucose Monitor Description: Interstitial glucose concentration measured continuously during outpatient free-living conditions using the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring device. Unit of Measure: mg/dL	Approximately 8 days during outpatient monitoring
Average Daily Step Count (steps/day)	Average daily step count, reported in steps per day, measured during outpatient free-living conditions using the Fitbit Sense 2 wearable activity tracker.	Approximately 8 days during outpatient monitoring.
Average Daily Active Minutes (minutes/day)	Average daily active minutes, reported in minutes per day, measured during outpatient free-living conditions using the Fitbit Sense 2 wearable activity tracker.	Approximately 8 days during outpatient monitoring.
Average Daily Sleep Duration (hours/night)	Average sleep duration, reported in hours per night, measured during outpatient free-living conditions using the Fitbit Sense 2 wearable activity tracker.	Approximately 8 days during outpatient monitoring.
Average Resting Heart Rate (beats/minute)	Average resting heart rate, reported in beats per minute (bpm), measured during outpatient free-living conditions using the Fitbit Sense 2 wearable activity tracker.	Approximately 8 days during outpatient monitoring.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dietary Intake Assessment Using ASA24 Dietary Recall	To assess dietary intake and nutritional patterns using self-reported ASA24 dietary recall assessments during the outpatient monitoring period.	Approximately 8 days during outpatient monitoring

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Clinical Nutrition Research Center, Illinois Institute of Technology
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Indika Edirisinghe, Ph.D, Illinois Institute of Technology

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 20, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 29, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 12, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 12, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Continuous Glucose Monitoring; Digital Twin; Liquid Meal Test
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endocrine System Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Diabetes Mellitus; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB-2026-33

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

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