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AzTrials

PreDiabetesIFISNCT04607096

Intermittent Fasting to Improve Insulin Secretion

A study testing Intermittent fasting in people with PreDiabetes and Diabetes type2, run by University Hospital Tuebingen at 8 sites in Germany.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus is a challenge for health care systems as the numbers increases constantly. In 2014, 422 million people had been living with diabetes worldwide. The absolute numbers of people with prediabetes have also grown substantially over 25 years worldwide. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
PreDiabetes, Diabetes type2, Intermittent Fasting
What is being tested?
Intermittent fasting
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
200 participants
Where
8 sitesGermany
Study dates
8 Apr 2021to 1 Mar 2027
Phase
Interventional
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 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Body mass index (BMI) between 25 - 40 kg/m²
  • Understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent document prior to any study related assessments/procedures.
  • Subjects with prediabetes (IFG and/or IGT, HbA1c 5,4 % - 6,4 %, subphenotype cluster 3 or 5) or
  • Subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (diagnosed <5 years prior to screening), HbA1c 6.0% - 9.5%, not receiving insulin or thiazolidinediones, and with an appropriate washout period for all other antidiabetic medications)

Who cannot join

  • Subjects with diabetes mellitus type 1 (GAD-, IA2-AB positive)
  • Women during pregnancy and lactation
  • Treamtent with any medication effecting on glucose metabolism like anti-diabetic drugs or steroids
  • Subjects with a haemoglobin (Hb) ≤ 11.5 g/dl (for males) and Hb ≤ 10.5 g/dl (for females) at screening
  • Any pancreatic disease
  • Medical history of cancer and/or treatment for cancer within the last 5 years.
Show all 17Show fewer
  • Known current presence or history of severe neurological or psychiatric diseases, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
  • Known history of bariatric surgery
  • Severe liver or kidney diseases (Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT [SGPT]), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST [SGOT]) above 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) ≤ 60 ml/min (MDRD formula)
  • Systemic infection (CRP > 1 mg/dl)
  • Severe diabetic complications like chronic kidney disease (CKD), proliferating retinopathy or symptomatic cardiovascular disease
  • Presence of any contraindication for the conduct of an MRI investigation, such as cardiac pacemakers, ferromagnetic haemostatic clips in the central nervous system, metallic splinters in the eye, ferromagnetic or electronically operated active devices like automatic cardioverter defibrillators, cochlear implants, insulin pumps and nerve stimulators, prosthetic heart valves etc.
  • Persons with limited temperature sensation and / or elevated sensitivity to warming of the body
  • Persons with a hearing disorder or a increased sensitivity for loud noises
  • Claustrophobia
  • Participation in other clinical trials or observation period of competing trials up to 30 days prior to this study
  • Refusal to get informed of unexpected detected pathological findings

Trial locations and contacts

8 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

8 sites in 1 country

Germany8 sites, 8 recruiting
  • Charité Berlin - Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases

    Berlin, 10117

    Joachim Spranger, MD, +49 30 450 514 252, joachim.spranger@charite.de

    Recruiting
  • Universtiy Hospital Carl Gustav Carus

    Dresden, 01307

    Peter Schwarz, MD, +49 (0) 351 458271, peter.schwarz@uniklinikum-dresden.de

    Recruiting
  • German Diabetes Center

    Düsseldorf, 40225

    Michael Roden, MD, +49 211 3382 201, michael.roden@ddz.de

    Recruiting
  • Heidelberg University Hospital - Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism

    Heidelberg, 69120

    Julia Szendrödi, MD, +49 (0) 6221 56-8601, Julia.Szendrödi@med.uni-heidelberg.de

    Recruiting
  • University Hospital Leipzig - Clinic for Endocrinology and Nephrology

    Leipzig, 04103

    Matthias Blüher, MD, +49 (0)341 - 97 13320, Matthias.blüher@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

    Recruiting
  • University of Luebeck - Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes

    Lübeck, 23538

    Svenja Meyhöfer, MD, svenja.meyhoefer@uni-luebeck.de

    Recruiting
  • Technical University of Munich - Else Kroener-Fresenius-Center for Nutritional Medicine

    Munich, 80992

    Hans Hauner, MD, +49 (0) 8928924911, hans.hauner@tum.de

    Recruiting
  • University Hospital Tuebingen - Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM)

    Tübingen, 72076

    Andreas Fritsche, MD, +49 7071 29 80590, andreas.fritsche@med.uni-tuebingen.de

    Recruiting

Other trials in Germany

About this study

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus is a challenge for health care systems as the numbers increases constantly. In 2014, 422 million people had been living with diabetes worldwide. The absolute numbers of people with prediabetes have also grown substantially over 25 years worldwide. In Germany, about 10% of the population has T2D and another 21 % of the population has prediabetes.Overall, 16% of all deaths in Germany are attributable to type 2 diabetes. Macro- and microvascular complications of diabetes imply a significant threat for the patients and are already present in the prediabetic state. Short term and long term complications, the burden of treatment, and reduced quality of life are major burdens of the disease. Accumulating data indicate that currently recommended therapeutic diet regimens in patients with obesity and diabetes are not sustainable on the long term. Novel concepts are therefore urgently needed.

T2D occurs when insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells cannot sufficiently be increased to compensate for insulin resistance. Causes of beta-cell dysfunction are heterogeneous. In addition, the most important determinants of diabetes remission are the extend of weight loss and restoration of beta-cell function. In the course of diabetes progression, the inability to recover insulin secretion might identify the state of no return to normal glucose tolerance. It is therefore crucial to improve insulin secretion in treatment and prevention of diabetes. Up to now lifestyle intervention trials in prediabetes or pharmacological intervention trials in diabetes did not show improvement of insulin secretion after intervention. However, one recent small human trial shows that intermittent fasting (early time restricted fasting) is able to improve insulin secretion.Currently, there are no trials that examine the effect of intermittent fasting in individuals with a broad range of impaired glucose metabolism (from prediabetes to diabetes). Recently novel subtypes of diabetes and prediabetes with high risk for the early manifestation of diabetes complications have been identified. Currently, prevention strategies for this high risk individuals have not been examined yet. We will study for the first time the effectiveness of 4 weeks intermittent fasting on changes in insulin secretion capacity in subphenotypes of diabetes and in prediabetes.

Being tested
Intermittent fasting, Control diet
Medical subject headings
Prediabetic State, Intermittent Fasting

What participants receive

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

  • Intermittent fastingBehavioural

    The intermittent fasting intervention consists of a decreased daily caloric intake of 400 kcal below individual requirements (Harris Benedict Formula) combined with early time restricted fasting according to the schema 16:8. fasting will be performed over 4 weeks.

  • Control dietBehavioural

    Control group will be advised to reduce daily caloric intake of 400 kcal below individual requirements (Harris Benedict formula)

Study groups in NCT04607096
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Prediabetic subjects - cluster 3Active comparatorPresence of a cluster 3 phenotype will be examined according to the parameters described by Wagner et al.(Nat. Med. 2020).
Receives: Behavioral: Intermittent fasting; Behavioral: Control diet
Prediabetic subjects - cluster 5Active comparatorPresence of a cluster 5 phenotype will be examined according to the parameters described by Wagner et al.(Nat. Med. 2020).
Receives: Behavioral: Intermittent fasting; Behavioral: Control diet
Patients with type 2 diabetes - subphenotype: Severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD)Active comparatorPresence of a SIDD phenotype will be examined according to the parameters de-scribed Ahlqvist et al. (Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018 May;6(5):361-369).
Receives: Behavioral: Intermittent fasting; Behavioral: Control diet
Patients with type 2 diabetes - subphenotype: Severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD)Active comparatorPresence of a SIRD phenotype will be examined according to the parameters de-scribed Ahlqvist et al (Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018 May;6(5):361-369).

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in first phase insulin secretion.

    Effect of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on glucose stimulated first phase insulin secretion adjusted for insulin sensitivity during an hyperglycemic clamp.

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Change in second phase insulin secretion.

    Effect of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on glucose stimulated second phase insulin secretion adjusted for insulin sensitivity during an hyperglycemic clamp.

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  2. Change in insulin sensitivity.

    Effect of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on insulin sensitivity using insulin sensitivity index during an hyperglycemic clamp.

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  3. Change in BMI.

    Effect of intermittent vs. a control diet fasting on BMI.

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  4. Change in liver fat content.

    Effects of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on liver fat content (%) measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (3 T whole body imaging).

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  5. Change in pancreatic fat content.

    Effects of intermittent fasting on pancreatic fat content (%) measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (3 T whole body imaging).

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  6. Change in body fat content.

    Effects of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on total adipose tissue (TAT) measured by magnetic resonance tomography (3 T whole body imaging).

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  7. Change in visceral adipose tissue.

    Effects of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured by by magnetic resonance tomography (3 T whole body imaging)

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

  8. Change in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

    Effects of intermittent fasting vs. a control diet on subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) measured by by magnetic resonance tomography (3 T whole body imaging)

    Measured: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted28 Oct 2020
  2. Study start8 Apr 2021
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Mar 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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants wil either receive a control diet or join the intermittent fasting group stratified by glycemia (prediabetes/diabetes) as well as by subphenotype.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
200 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04607096
Sponsor's protocol ID
596/2020BO1
Acronym
IFIS
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
22 Oct 2020
Last updated
21 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Heilmann G, Trenkamp S, Moser C, Bombrich M, Schon M, Yurchenko I, Strassburger K, Rodriguez MM, Zaharia OP, Burkart V, Wagner R, Roden M. Precise glucose measurement in sodium fluoride-citrate plasma affects estimates of prevalence in diabetes and prediabetes. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2023 Oct 24;62(4):762-769. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0770. Print 2024 Mar 25.

    PubMed 37870928

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Intermittent fasting in people with PreDiabetes and Diabetes type2, run by University Hospital Tuebingen at 8 sites in Germany.

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 4 inclusion and 17 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 8 sites in Germany. 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

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?

Contact Andreas Fritsche, MD (+49 7071 29 80590, andreas.fritsche@med.uni-tuebingen.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in first phase insulin secretion. (time frame: Before, after 4 weeks and after 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention.). 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 NCT04607096, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 21 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.

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