This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-center clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mazdutide in improving fatty pancreas in patients with overweight or obesity. The study plans to enroll 194 participants with overweight or obesity, who will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the mazdutide plus standardized lifestyle intervention group or the placebo plus standardized lifestyle intervention group, for a treatment duration of 48 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline in pancreatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measured by MRI at week 48. Secondary efficacy endpoints include changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycemic and lipid metabolic parameters, visceral fat, and hepatic fat content. This study aims to provide preliminary evidence-based data supporting the application of mazdutide in the treatment of fatty pancreas associated with metabolic dysfunction.
Fatty pancreas is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by fat infiltration in pancreatic tissue. It can be classified into three categories based on etiology and risk factors: ectopic pancreatic fat deposition due to overnutrition and metabolic dysfunction, secondary fatty replacement following pancreatic injury from various causes, and fatty pancreas associated with genetic or congenital diseases. Among these, excessive fat deposition within pancreatic tissue occurring against the backdrop of metabolic abnormalities is termed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty pancreas (MAFP), which is commonly seen in individuals with overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome. MAFP can impair both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions, increase the risks of pancreatitis and glucose metabolism disorders, and significantly elevate the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Currently, there are no approved specific pharmacotherapies for fatty pancreas. Although lifestyle intervention serves as the foundational treatment, long-term patient adherence remains limited. Existing studies suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) can effectively reduce visceral and ectopic fat deposition, lowering absolute pancreatic fat content by approximately 2%-6%, thereby demonstrating potential as therapeutic agents for MAFP. Mazdutide, a dual GLP-1 receptor/glucagon receptor (GLP-1R/GCGR) agonist, synergistically activates dual metabolic pathways, reducing visceral fat accumulation while achieving potent weight loss. Based on its unique mechanism of action and established evidence for weight reduction, mazdutide holds promising application prospects for alleviating MAFP and managing metabolic comorbidities. However, no dedicated studies have yet evaluated the impact of mazdutide on pancreatic fat content in obese patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
194
On the basis of standardized lifestyle intervention, patients received mazdutide injection (prefilled auto-injector pen) via weekly subcutaneous injection (abdominal), following a dose-escalation regimen: an initial dose of 2 mg for weeks 1-4, escalation to 4 mg for weeks 5-8, and a maintenance dose of either 4 mg or 6 mg starting from week 9 (determined by tolerability and efficacy), with a treatment duration of 48 weeks.
On the basis of standardized lifestyle intervention, patients received a placebo injection identical to mazdutide injection in appearance, volume, and administration route, via weekly subcutaneous injection (abdominal), with a treatment duration of 48 weeks.
TongjHospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Wuhan, Hubei, China
Percentage change in Intrapancreatic Fat Deposition (IPFD) from baseline
The relative percentage change in IPFD measured by pancreatic MRI-PDFF at Week 48 compared to baseline, calculated as: \[(IPFDatWeek48-BaselineIPFD)/BaselineIPFD\] × 100%.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Change in visceral fat area
Absolute change in visceral fat area (measured by MRI or CT, as per protocol specification) from baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
Absolute change in BMI (kg/m²) from baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Change in body weight
Absolute change in body weight (kg) from baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Change in waist circumference
Absolute change in waist circumference (cm) from baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Change in basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Absolute change in BMR (kcal/day) from baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in complete blood count (CBC) parameters
Evaluation of changes in hematology parameters (e.g., WBC, RBC, Hb, PLT) compared to baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in liver function tests
Evaluation of changes in ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, etc., compared to baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in renal function tests
Evaluation of changes in serum creatinine, BUN, eGFR, etc., compared to baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in lipid profile
Evaluation of changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, etc., compared to baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in pancreatic enzymes (amylase/lipase)
Evaluation of changes in serum amylase and lipase levels compared to baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Absolute change in HbA1c (%) from baseline
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in glucose metabolism indices (OGTT + IRT+CPRT)
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) combined with insulin release test (IRT) and C-peptide release test (CPRT), with blood sampling at fasting state and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-glucose load.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
Changes in inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α)
Absolute change in serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) from baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to Week 48
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