LEAP2 on Postprandial Glucose Metabolism and Food Intake

Early Phase 1CompletedNCT04621409

University Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen20 enrolled

Overview

The study aim to delineate the effects of the naturally occurring peptide liver-enriched antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) on postprandial glucose metabolism and food intake in healthy volunteers. The overall objective is to investigate the physiological importance of LEAP-2 in healthy subjects.

In a recent study, the molecular phenotype of enteroendocrine cells in the small intestine before and after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery in obese individuals was examined. Enteroendocrine cells were identified and isolated from intestinal biopsies and analysed for differentially expressed genes by Illumina High Throughput RNA-sequencing. It was discovered that the gene encoding liver-enriched antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2), a naturally occurring peptide in humans, was significantly upregulated compared to baseline expression. Interestingly, LEAP-2 was recently shown to antagonize ghrelin function in response to feeding in mice. Moreover, the mature murine LEAP-2 peptide is identical in mice and humans. Thus, LEAP-2 has been identified as an endogenous peptide that may be able to alter feeding behaviour and maintenance of glucose levels during calorie restriction. The study hypothesis is that LEAP-2 alters postprandial glucose metabolism and decreases appetite as well as food intake in relation to a liquid mixed meal and a standardised ad libitum meal compared with saline (placebo) in healthy subjects.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity

Interventions

Liver-enriched antimicrobial peptide 2BIOLOGICAL

IV infusion of LEAP2, approximately 5 hours

PlaceboBIOLOGICAL

IV infusion of saline, approximately 5 hours

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 25 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Caucasian men * Age between 18 and 25 years * Body mass index between 20-35 kg/m2 * Informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Anaemia (haemoglobin below normal range) * Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) \>2 times normal values) or history of hepatobiliary and/or gastrointestinal disorder(s) * Nephropathy (serum creatinine above normal range and/or albuminuria) * Allergy or intolerance to ingredients included in the standardised meals * First-degree relatives with diabetes and/or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) \>48 mmol/mol * Regular tobacco smoking or use of other nicotine-containing products * Any ongoing medication that the investigator evaluates would interfere with trial participation. * Any physical or psychological condition that the investigator evaluates would interfere with trial participation including any acute or chronic illnesses

Locations (1)

Center for Clinical Metabolic Research

Hellerup, Denmark

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Food intake

Difference in food intake during an ad libitum meal. Food intake is examined as kilojoules (kJ) and kJ/kg body weight of food eaten during the ad libitum meal.

Time frame: 260 to 290 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

VAS

Visual analogue scales (VASs) assessing appetite, satiety and hunger sensations (from 0 to 10 cm on a scale = from mimimum to maximum sensation)