Metabolomic characteristics & glycaemic variability in T1DM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Metabolomic characteristics and glycaemic variability in Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM).
IRAS ID
210686
Contact name
Christopher Sainsbury
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
High levels of fluctuations in glucose seen in the blood of subjects with diabetes are known to be associated with abnormal function of cells within the body, abnormal functioning of blood vessels, and in the longer term with an increased risk of death. The underlying reasons for this association are not fully understood. The technique proposed here (metabolomics) identifies potential underlying processes that might explain this association by testing levels of small molecules from a single specimen of blood. Currently there is no good single blood test to measure glucose fluctuations. Previous research has suggested that a ratio between glycated albumin and haemoglobin a1c might provide a single blood test to give useful information about glucose fluctuations.
We plan to measure the degree of fluctuation in blood glucose in 80 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus using a continuously worn glucose sensor for a period of 72 hours. 40 subjects already being treated with insulin using an insulin pump, and 40 already taking insulin intermittently by injection during the day will be include in study.Thes 2 groups are known to have different variability of their glucose levels. All subjects will be recruited from the Gartnavel diabetes clinics. We will take blood to send for the metabolomic analysis, and to measure glycated albumin.
The results will help us to understand why glucose fluctuations over time cause a higher risk of problems developing as a result of diabetes. This could lead to new protective treatments against these complications. The test for glycated albumin will potentially suggest a new way of using a single blood test to estimate the degree of these fluctuations in a given subject over time.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
16/WS/0205
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion