GLP-1 and its blockade on post-bariatric surgery hypoglycaemia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of GLP-1 versus GLP-1 receptor antagonist on patients with post-prandial hypoglycaemia following gastric bypass
IRAS ID
229180
Contact name
Tricia Tan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Bariatric surgery is a very effective treatment where patients can lose a lot of weight and their diabetes improves. However, a small number of such patients develop complications after surgery. One such complication is low blood glucose after eating. This is called Post-prandial hypoglycaemia (PPH). The low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) can result in loss of consciousness, collapse and fits. The patients that come to our clinic with PPH tell us that this is a very disabling condition. PPH has the potential to lead to death. Therefore, it is important that we understand what happens in this condition and how to treat it.
At present we do not have effective treatments for this condition apart from changing the types of food in the diet. In these patients we know that certain hormones are secreted excessively. These hormones (e.g. GLP-1, Glucagon, insulin) are released from the gut and pancreas and act to lower blood sugar. We believe that excessive secretion of these hormones leads to excessive secretion of insulin and therefore drop blood sugar levels.
The purpose of this study is to understand the effects adding in GLP-1 or blocking GLP-1's actions of the body in patients with and without PPH. Our ultimate aim is to understand if treatments based on GLP-1 or GLP-1 blockers can be used as a treatment for PPH.
The total sample size is 40 participants. The study will be conducted at Imperial Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital. There will be 3 study visits each approximately 1 week apart. We do not expect this to stretch to more than 12 weeks. The participant will receive single-blinded subcutaneous infusions of GLP-1, subcutaneous injection of GLP-1 receptor antagonist, and saline on separate days.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2108
Date of REC Opinion
29 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion