Active clinical trials for "Insulin Resistance"

A diet with the multiple beneficial characteristics of whole grains and, more in general, of "healthy cereals" favorably influences glucose and insulin metabolism in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the long term effects of a diet containing "healthy cereals" versus a control diet, on glucose and insulin metabolism in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Current estimates suggest that 65% of American adults are overweight or obese. Excess body weight has been associated with an increased risk of a number of metabolic abnormalities, including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, and low HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Insulin resistance (when the body becomes less sensitive to the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin, and more of the hormone is needed to keep blood sugar levels under control) also frequently occurs as a result of excess body weight. These abnormalities can all increase the risk of heart disease and other serious medical problems. Individuals who are overweight often have a number of these abnormalities at the same time, a situation which is often called "the metabolic syndrome." Dietary changes, physical activity, and weight loss can lead to improvements in each of the metabolic abnormalities described above. However, the best type of diet for people with the metabolic syndrome is not known. This study has been designed to test the effects of several promising dietary patterns, with and without weight loss, in overweight adults with the metabolic syndrome. Most individuals who have the metabolic syndrome do not know they have the condition, so we will be screening many healthy overweight volunteers to see if they may be eligible.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Aliskiren on insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. The efficacy of Aliskiren was compared to Amlodipine.

The hypothesis of this study is that bed rest in diabetic patients will result in a deterioration of metabolic control (primarily glucose). Specific aims: To determine the change in metabolic control in type 2 diabetic individuals when three days of bed rest is compared to three days of activity; To determine the rate of progression of the deterioration in metabolic control and the magnitude of the decrease; To assess whether the anticipated deterioration of metabolic control has effects on several parameters of glucose metabolism, including hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia; To determine the effects of bed rest on surrogate markers of atherosclerosis, such as plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine. To compare the effects of 48 hours of bed rest on orthostatic responses in type 2 diabetic patients, and healthy non-diabetics. To make recommendations to the diabetic community to prevent metabolic deterioration during a 3 day hospitalization.

Study hypothesis: Growth hormone (GH), through its generation of free 'bioavailable' insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, can improve insulin sensitivity in adults with GH deficiency. Study aims: The purpose of this study is to determine the mechanism of how low dose GH treatment affects the body's sensitivity to insulin actions and whether this low GH dose can affect the body's handling of steroid hormone levels (cortisol clearance) in adults with GH deficiency. Study design: Men and women with confirmed GH deficiency, but not recently been on GH treatment will be invited to participate in this study. The subjects will be assessed at the initial visit to ascertain their suitability before further participating in the study. If suitable, an equal number of men and women will be randomized to receive either low dose GH or placebo injection for 3 months. Before, during and after treatment, the subjects will be assessed at regularly with blood tests, scans and fat biopsies. At the first and final visit, testing will include scans to measure the amount of whole body fat and fat in the stomach area, muscle, and liver; blood tests to measure levels of cortisol, and fat tissue (taken from a biopsy) analysis to measure the density of IGF-I in the muscle; whereas blood tests to examine insulin sensitivity will also be collected. This study will use Genotropin and Genotropin pen devices, and the the data will be analyzed using a computer statistical program where the identity of the subjects will be coded to maintain confidentiality.

The objective of the study is to determine whether Panax Ginseng with multiple interactions with key components of brain signaling pathway, can augment the effects of antipsychotics in Schizophrenia. We are primarily interested to examine the actions of Ginseng combined with antipsychotics in improving the ways patients diagnosed with schizophrenia behave in social environment, store, process and retrieve information.

This study will determine whether pioglitazone (Actos, a drug approved to treat diabetes, can benefit HIV-infected people with fatty liver. Fatty changes of the liver (also known as steatosis) have been linked to diabetes and long-term liver damage in some patients. Pioglitazone has been shown to improve fatty liver in people without HIV; this study will see if it is beneficial for people with HIV as well. HIV-infected patients 18 years of age and older with increased fat in the liver may be eligible for this study. Screening includes a CT scan and liver biopsy (withdrawal of a small sample of liver tissue through a needle). Participants are randomly assigned to take either 45 mg of pioglitazone or placebo (sugar pill) by mouth once a day for 48 weeks. At the end of 48 weeks, all participants stop taking their medication and are followed for an additional 48 weeks to see what, if any benefits, of pioglitazone persist after treatment is stopped. In addition to taking the study medication, participants undergo the following procedures: Visits to the NIH Clinical Center over a period of approximately 2 years at day 0 and weeks 2, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 52, 72, and 96. Most visits take about 1 hour and include blood drawing for various laboratory tests. Insulin clamp test at day 0 and weeks 24 and 48 to see how the body processes glucose. This test takes 4 to 6 hours and may include an overnight stay at the Clinical Center. A catheter (plastic tube) is placed in a vein in the arm to infuse insulin and another is placed in a vein on the back of the hand to draw blood samples. Blood sugar is checked frequently and glucose is given to keep blood sugar at normal values. Nutrition evaluations at day 0 and weeks 24 and 48. Subjects write down all the food they eat and drink for 4 days before the visit. They meet with a nutritionist to review the food record and to complete simple measurements of body fat and shape. CT scan of liver and abdomen at weeks 24, 48, 72 and 96. Liver biopsy at week 48.

This project aims to a) evaluate the effects of haloperidol, olanzapine, and risperidone in combination with valproate on insulin secretion and insulin actions, b) evaluate medication effects on abdominal fat, total body fat and total fat-free mass, and c) evaluate treatment effects on glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin and C-reactive protein. Hypotheses will be evaluated by measuring 1) insulin action and secretion using frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests, 2) body composition using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, magnetic resonance scans, and anthropomorphic measurements, and 3) changes in hormone levels and lipid profiles. The aims will be addressed in non-diabetic schizophrenia patients chronically treated with haloperidol, olanzapine or risperidone who will have valproate added to their treatment. Relevant data is critically needed to target basic research, identify long-term cardiovascular risks, and plan therapeutic interventions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks' increased daily physical activity versus diet restriction on regional fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and adipokines including retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4), leptin, adiponectin, and a new marker, adiponectin to leptin ratio (AL ratio), in type 2 diabetic women.

This project will provide novel information concerning the ability of exercise to enhance the capacity for oxidative metabolism of fatty acids and improve insulin resistance in older adults who are at high risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. Ultimately this may help identify mechanisms and therapeutic targets implicated in skeletal muscle metabolic dysregulation. The proposed study is to conduct a randomized controlled exercise training intervention trial in older men and women. In addition, the response to exercise in these subjects will be compared to those of highly endurance-trained, age-matched athletes.