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ObesityPhase 1GIO BNCT03139305

Effect of Prolonged (72 Hour) Glucagon Administration on Energy Expenditure in Healthy Obese Subjects

A Phase 1 study testing Glucagon in people with Obesity, run by AdventHealth Translational Research Institute at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of prolonged (72 hour) administration of glucagon compared to placebo on energy expenditure in healthy, non-diabetic, obese subjects. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 55 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Obesity
What is being tested?
Glucagon
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
24 Oct 2017to Feb 2027
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 55 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18-55 years, inclusive.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥27 to ≤45 kg/m2 and body weight <450 lbs.
  • Stable body weight for 3 months (self-reported loss/gain <5%).
  • Judged to be non-diabetic per the American Diabetes Association guidelines:
  • fasting plasma glucose <126 mg/dL [7.0 mmol/L] and
  • HbA1c <6.5% [48 mmol/mol]) and
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  • in good health on the basis of medical history, physical examination (PE), electrocardiogram (ECG), and normal laboratory values obtained from Screening visit labs.
  • Understands the procedures and agrees to participate in the study program by giving written informed consent, and is willing to comply with the trial restrictions.
  • Willing to avoid alcohol consumption for 48 hours prior to the inpatient study visit.
  • Willing to avoid consumption of caffeine and caffeinated beverages for 24 hours prior to the inpatient study visit.
  • Willing to avoid strenuous physical activity for 72 hours prior to the inpatient study visit.

Who cannot join

  • Treatment with any medication known to significantly impact body weight or energy metabolism (e.g., weight loss medications, atypical antipsychotics) within 3 months prior to screening except for stable physiological hormone replacement therapy (i.e., thyroid hormone, estrogen).
  • Treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a medication for depression or apomorphine within one week prior to screening due to interaction with Zofran.
  • History of bariatric surgery.
  • Current liver, renal, pulmonary, cardiac, oncologic, metabolic, gastrointestinal, or hematologic disease which the Investigator believes is clinically significant, including:
  • Liver disease or liver injury as indicated by abnormal liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin) >3 × upper limit of normal (ULN), or history of hepatic cirrhosis.
  • Impaired renal function as indicated by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio >35 mg/mmol.
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  • Significant cardiovascular disease, including Class III or greater congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease, second degree or greater heart block, or clinically significant arrhythmias; baseline second degree or greater heart block or prolonged QT syndrome (QTc interval ≥470 msec); or any major cardiovascular event within the last 3 years (including myocardial infarction [MI], transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident [CVA], angina, and hospitalization due to CHF,transient ischemic attack, and CVA).
  • Metabolic, or other endocrine disorders, including diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus [HbA1c ≥6.5%]), inadequately treated hyperthyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] below normal range) or hypothyroidism (TSH >ULN <10 U/mL and symptomatic or TSH >10 U/mL), Cushing's disease/syndrome, Addison's disease, hypogonadism, or genetic disorders linked to obesity.
  • History of irritable bowel disease, recurrent nausea, or vomiting.
  • Anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dL in males, <11 g/dL in females).
  • History of dyslipidemia: Fasting triglycerides (TG) >500 mg/dL and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) >250 mg/dL.
  • Self-reported history of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • History of recurrent sleep disturbances and/or prone to sleep disturbances based on lifestyle or employment (e.g., variable work schedule, overnight shift work, etc.).
  • Diagnosis of sleep apnea with or without use of continuous positive airway pressure/BiPAP/AutoPAP.
  • Major surgery within 3 months prior to screening.
  • Blood donation within 4 weeks prior to screening.
  • Participation in another investigational trial within 4 weeks prior to screening. The 4 week window will be derived from the date of the last trial medication and/or blood collection in a previous trial and/or adverse event (AE) related to trial drug screening of the current trial.
  • Use of illicit drugs or nicotine-containing products within 3 months prior to screening.
  • Poor intravenous (IV) access.
  • Blood pressure <100/50 mmHg or ≥160/100 mmHg during screening.
  • Heart rate ≥100 bpm during screening.
  • Fasting plasma glucose <60 mg/dL or ≥126 mg/dL during screening.
  • Female subjects who are, or intend to become, pregnant during the course of this study, are currently breastfeeding, or women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) who refuse to use at least one method of birth control (oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, implanted or injectable contraceptives, abstinence).
  • Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes (TRI-MD) staff member or immediate relative of TRI-MD staff members directly involved
  • History of any illness or condition that, in the opinion of the study investigator, might confound the results of the study or poses an additional risk to the subject by study participation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes

    Orlando, Florida, 32804

Other trials in United States

About this study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of prolonged (72 hour) administration of glucagon compared to placebo on energy expenditure in healthy, non-diabetic, obese subjects.

Conditions
Obesity
Being tested
Glucagon, Placebo
Keywords
glucagon
Medical subject headings
Obesity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • GlucagonDrug

    Low dose intravenous infusion for 72 hours at 12.5 ng/kg/min

  • GlucagonDrug

    High dose intravenous infusion for 72 hours at 25 ng/kg/min

  • PlaceboDrug

    Intravenous infusion of saline for 72 hours

Study groups in NCT03139305
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Glucagon Low DoseActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Glucagon
Glucagon High DoseActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Glucagon
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Energy Expenditure

    Measured: 24 hours

  2. Effects of continuous IV infusion of glucagon versus placebo

    Overall well-being will be measured by administering a questionnaire with a scale from none to severe.

    Measured: 72 hours

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 May 2017
  2. Study start24 Oct 2017
  3. Primary completion14 Feb 2018
  4. Study completionFeb 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03139305
Sponsor's protocol ID
TRIMDFH 954476
Acronym
GIO B
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
10 Apr 2017
Last updated
30 Mar 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Arafat AM, Kaczmarek P, Skrzypski M, Pruszynska-Oszmalek E, Kolodziejski P, Szczepankiewicz D, Sassek M, Wojciechowicz T, Wiedenmann B, Pfeiffer AF, Nowak KW, Strowski MZ. Glucagon increases circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 independently of endogenous insulin levels: a novel mechanism of glucagon-stimulated lipolysis? Diabetologia. 2013 Mar;56(3):588-97. doi: 10.1007/s00125-012-2803-y. Epub 2012 Dec 22.

    PubMed 23262585
  • Astrup A, Rossner S, Van Gaal L, Rissanen A, Niskanen L, Al Hakim M, Madsen J, Rasmussen MF, Lean ME; NN8022-1807 Study Group. Effects of liraglutide in the treatment of obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Lancet. 2009 Nov 7;374(9701):1606-16. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61375-1. Epub 2009 Oct 23.

    PubMed 19853906
  • Calles-Escandon J. Insulin dissociates hepatic glucose cycling and glucagon-induced thermogenesis in man. Metabolism. 1994 Aug;43(8):1000-5. doi: 10.1016/0026-0495(94)90180-5.

    PubMed 8052138
  • Cegla J, Troke RC, Jones B, Tharakan G, Kenkre J, McCullough KA, Lim CT, Parvizi N, Hussein M, Chambers ES, Minnion J, Cuenco J, Ghatei MA, Meeran K, Tan TM, Bloom SR. Coinfusion of low-dose GLP-1 and glucagon in man results in a reduction in food intake. Diabetes. 2014 Nov;63(11):3711-20. doi: 10.2337/db14-0242. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

    PubMed 24939425
  • Cryer PE. Minireview: Glucagon in the pathogenesis of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in diabetes. Endocrinology. 2012 Mar;153(3):1039-48. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-1499. Epub 2011 Dec 13.

    PubMed 22166985
  • Flint A, Raben A, Rehfeld JF, Holst JJ, Astrup A. The effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 on energy expenditure and substrate metabolism in humans. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2000 Mar;24(3):288-98. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801126.

    PubMed 10757621
  • Kim J, Heshka S, Gallagher D, Kotler DP, Mayer L, Albu J, Shen W, Freda PU, Heymsfield SB. Intermuscular adipose tissue-free skeletal muscle mass: estimation by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in adults. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2004 Aug;97(2):655-60. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00260.2004. Epub 2004 Apr 16.

    PubMed 15090482
  • Melzack R, Rosberger Z, Hollingsworth ML, Thirlwell M. New approaches to measuring nausea. CMAJ. 1985 Oct 15;133(8):755-8, 761.

    PubMed 4042058
  • Miyoshi H, Shulman GI, Peters EJ, Wolfe MH, Elahi D, Wolfe RR. Hormonal control of substrate cycling in humans. J Clin Invest. 1988 May;81(5):1545-55. doi: 10.1172/JCI113487.

    PubMed 3284915
  • Nair KS. Hyperglucagonemia increases resting metabolic rate in man during insulin deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 May;64(5):896-901. doi: 10.1210/jcem-64-5-896.

    PubMed 2881943
  • Salem V, Izzi-Engbeaya C, Coello C, Thomas DB, Chambers ES, Comninos AN, Buckley A, Win Z, Al-Nahhas A, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, Budge H, Symonds ME, Bloom SR, Tan TM, Dhillo WS. Glucagon increases energy expenditure independently of brown adipose tissue activation in humans. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2016 Jan;18(1):72-81. doi: 10.1111/dom.12585. Epub 2015 Nov 20.

    PubMed 26434748
  • SCHULMAN JL, CARLETON JL, WHITNEY G, WHITEHORN JC. Effect of glucagon on food intake and body weight in man. J Appl Physiol. 1957 Nov;11(3):419-21. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1957.11.3.419. No abstract available.

    PubMed 13480952
  • Tan TM, Field BC, McCullough KA, Troke RC, Chambers ES, Salem V, Gonzalez Maffe J, Baynes KC, De Silva A, Viardot A, Alsafi A, Frost GS, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR. Coadministration of glucagon-like peptide-1 during glucagon infusion in humans results in increased energy expenditure and amelioration of hyperglycemia. Diabetes. 2013 Apr;62(4):1131-8. doi: 10.2337/db12-0797. Epub 2012 Dec 17.

    PubMed 23248172
  • Whytock KL, Carnero EA, Vega RB, Tillner J, Bock C, Chivukula K, Yi F, Meyer C, Smith SR, Sparks LM. Prolonged Glucagon Infusion Does Not Affect Energy Expenditure in Individuals with Overweight/Obesity: A Randomized Trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2021 Jun;29(6):1003-1013. doi: 10.1002/oby.23141.

    PubMed 34029448

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Glucagon in people with Obesity, run by AdventHealth Translational Research Institute at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 25 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Energy Expenditure (time frame: 24 hours). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03139305, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Mar 2026.

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