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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.

Contact Information:

Dr Ahmad Al-Mrabeh
Ahmad.Al-Mrabeh@ed.ac.uk


Mrs Mary Wright
edrs@ed.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Pancreas lipotoxicity in type 2 diabetes: Edinburgh Diabetes Remission Study (EDRS)
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Pancreas lipotoxicity in type 2 diabetes: Edinburgh Diabetes Remission Study (EDRS)

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Edinburgh

Medical Conditions

Type 2 diabetes

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


This study looks at how excess fat in the pancreas may cause type 2 diabetes and whether losing weight can reverse this process. Previous research shows that weight loss can lead to diabetes remission, but the reasons why are not fully understood. We aim to find out how the liver makes fat (de novo lipogenesis) and how fat moves in the blood, and how these affect the pancreas and insulin production. The study will compare four groups of participants (non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, short-duration type 2 diabetes, and long-duration type 2 diabetes) to understand the sequence of changes that lead to diabetes remission.

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:

12 Jan 2026 01 Jun 2028

All participants will follow a low-calorie diet (around 800 kcal per day) for 8–12 weeks, then receive support to maintain weight loss for up to 12 months. We will carry out blood tests, MRI scans of the pancreas and liver, and other assessments to understand changes in fat and metabolism. Some participants will also have a small fat biopsy.


Adults aged 45–79 years with a BMI between 30 and 45 kg/m². We will include four groups:
1. People without diabetes
2. People with pre-diabetes
3. People with type 2 diabetes for less than 6 years
4. People with type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years
Participants must be able to give informed consent, communicate in English, and be willing to follow the study diet and attend follow-up visits. Women must be post-menopausal.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Insulin therapy2. HbA1c >12% (108 mmol/mol)3. Weight loss >5 kg in the last 6 months4. Recent MI (within 6 months)5. Known cancer in the last 5 years6. First-degree relatives of people with T2D (control group)7. History of gestational diabetes8. MRI contraindications (metal implants, claustrophobia)9. Alcohol >14 units/week10. Advanced kidney or liver disease11. Use of steroids or antipsychotics12. Participation in another clinical trial13. Life expectancy <1 year14. Allergy to local anaesthetic (for biopsy subgroup)15. Any disorder that may jeopardise safety or compliance


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Clinical Research Facility, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
    51 Little France Crescent
    Edinburgh
    EH16 4SA

Benefits may include weight loss and better blood sugar control, and in some cases remission of type 2 diabetes. Risks include hunger, changes in blood pressure or blood sugar when stopping medication, and discomfort during tests. Safety will be monitored throughout the study.

Mrs Mary Wright
edrs@ed.ac.uk


Dr Ahmad Al-Mrabeh
Ahmad.Al-Mrabeh@ed.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by Accord (United Kingdom); NHS Lothian and funded by Medical Research Council.




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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN36628439
Last updated 16 January 2026

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