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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Diseases of liver
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One in four adults worldwide have too much fat stored in the liver which is known as metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This was previously known as non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This can lead to liver failure and death in severe cases. Unfortunately, there are no specific drugs to treat MASLD.
Glucagon is a natural hormone that controls how our bodies store and use fuel. Glucagon acts on liver cells to use protein and fat to make sugar. It decreases the amount of liver fat.
We think that patients with MASLD may not respond to the actions of glucagon. This could contribute to the build-up of fat in their liver.
In this study we will be investigating the effects of glucagon on protein breakdown and sugar production in patients with and without MASLD.
Healthy volunteers and patients with MASLD will attend for one study visit each which will last for 4-5 hours. During this time they will have infusions into a vein of glucagon and other hormones, amino acids (to mimic the fed state) and ‘tracers’. From another vein they will have several blood samples during this period. By analysing these blood samples we will be able to measure the effects of glucagon on protein and glucose turnover (metabolism), and whether this differs between healthy volunteers and those with MASLD.
If we find that patients with MASLD are resistant to the actions of glucagon, this could help with the development of drugs to treat MASLD.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Interventional type: Immunotherapy;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
For all participants: • Current or history of any medical condition that could interfere with the study or potentially cause harm to the participant • Pregnant or breastfeeding (affects metabolism) • Recent weight loss or gain (> 10% in previous 3 months) • History of hypersensitivity to any of the infusates listed in the study design • Diabetes or pre-diabetes (HbA1C > 42mmol/mol) • Consumption of over 14 units of alcohol per week Additionally, for the cohort of healthy volunteers: • Evidence of metabolic syndrome • Previous or current clinical or biochemical evidence of liver disease Additionally, for the cohort of participants with MASLD: • Evidence of liver cirrhosis • Non-metabolic associated causes of liver disease (e.g. viral hepatitis)
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
The study is sponsored by Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and funded by ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES .
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Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 60868
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