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Recruiting Phase 1 NCT05960656

NCT05960656 SGLTi, Hepatic Glucose Production and Ketogenesis

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05960656
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 1
Sponsor The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Condition Type 2 Diabetes
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 30 participants
Start Date 2023-10-05
Primary Completion 2027-06-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 30 Years
Max Age 75 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Empagliflozin 25 MGPlacebo

Eligibility Fast-Check

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What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.

This trial targets 30 participants in total. It began in 2023-10-05 with a primary completion date of 2027-06-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

In this study, we will test the hypothesis that distinct mechanisms account for the SGLT2i-induced stimulation of ketogenesis and lipolysis versus endogenous (hepatic) glucose production in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), and that the increases in ketone production and lipolysis can be prevented by concomitant administration of the thiazolidinedione pioglitazone. We will conduct five distinct experiments to test this hypothesis in patients with T2D and T1D. MAIN STUDY: To examine the effect of empagliflozin versus empagliflozin/pancreatic clamp on EGP (6,6, D2-glucose), gluconeogenesis (D2O), lipolysis (U-2H-glycerol), ketogenesis (13C-palmitate conversion to 3-betahydroxybuyrate), and norepinephrine turnover (3H-NE) in type 2 diabetes subjects.

Eligibility Criteria

Patients with T2D Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 30-75 * BMI (Body Mass Index) 21-45 kg/m2 * HbA1c = 7.0-11% * eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate)\> 60 ml/min/1.73m2 * Blood Pressure (BP)≤160/90 mmHg * Participants must be in general good health based on medical history, physical exam, screening blood chemistries, CBC (Complete Blood Count), TSH/T4 (thyroid/thyroxine hormone), EKG (electrocardiogram), and urinalysis (UA) * Stable body weight (±1.5 kg) over the last 3 months and must not participate in an excessively heavy exercise program * Patients treated with diet, Sulfonylureas, Metformin, or Sulfonylureas/Metformin (Sulfo/MET) * Participants receiving a Glucagon like peptide -1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) must be on a stable dose for at least three months prior to study enrollment. * Participants receiving a Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitor) must be on a stable dose for at least two months prior to study enrollment. * SGLT2 inhibitors must be discontinued at least two months prior to study enrollment. * Statin therapy is permissible if the dose has been stable for at least 3 months EXCLUSION CRITERIA An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Patients treated with Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), or Insulin are excluded. * Patients taking medications other than Sulfonylureas/Metformin (SU/MET), stable dose of GLP1-RA and DPP4i known to affect glucose metabolism are excluded. Patients taking SGLT2i within 2 months of screening visit will be excluded from participating in this study, however they may be asked whether they would agree to discontinue the medication for two months to become eligible. (Please see clarification below.) \* * Subjects with evidence of proliferative retinopathy or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 are excluded * Women of childbearing potential are excluded unless they are taking/using appropriate contractive medications/devices \* Only participants who are taking SGLT2 inhibitors during the prescreening period will be asked to discontinue the medication at least two months prior to the screening visit. If they agree, they will return for an HbA1c measurement four weeks after stopping the SGLT2 inhibitor. If their HbA1c rises to greater than 10%, treatment will be initiated with either metformin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, or a sulfonylurea. We do not anticipate any adverse effects during this initial period, provided the HbA1c remains below 10%. HbA1c will be measured using a fingerstick test, which requires only a minimal amount of blood. No compensation will be provided during this phase. After two months of medication discontinuation, participants will return for a screening visit. If they meet all eligibility criteria, they will be enrolled in the study and payment done by protocol.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Ralph DeFronzo, MD

✉ defronzo@uthscsa.edu

📞 210-567-6691

Principal Investigator

Ralph DeFronzo, MD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05960656 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 30 Years or older, up to 75 Years, studying Type 2 Diabetes. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT05960656 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.

Is NCT05960656 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05960656 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at defronzo@uthscsa.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05960656 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at San Antonio, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05960656 clinical trial?

NCT05960656 is sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The principal investigator is Ralph DeFronzo, MD at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The trial plans to enroll 30 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology