Clinical Research Directory

Postprandial Glucose Handing in Contraceptive and IUD Users

Goals: The long-term use of hormonal birth control has been shown to effect glucose handling, or blood sugar regulation, and potentially lead to insulin resistance which increases a person's risk for metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The goal of this study is to investigate how the body handles glucose, in three groups of young, healthy females: NAT (naturally cycling, or not using hormonal birth control), OCP (taking a birth control pill), and IUD (using an intrauterine device). Objectives: We will investigate if the body's ability to handle glucose differs between these groups. We will also explore if these differences are linked to the levels of primary sex hormones in females, estrogen and progesterone, and if the synthetic versions produced by hormonal birth control have the same negative effect. We will use an oral glucose tolerance test to investigate these potential differences, having participants drink a 75 gram glucose beverage and taking blood samples every 15-30 minutes for a 2-hour timespan. These blood samples will be used to measure glucose and insulin levels in the blood to determine any changes that occur in the body in response to glucose.

Study on Improving Blood Glucose Homeostasis With Dorzagliatin Tablets in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Renal Insufficiency

This study aims to evaluate whether dorzagliatin can improve glycemic homeostasis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated by chronic renal insufficiency, and to compare the efficacy of dorzagliatin with linagliptin in improving glycemic control in patients with T2DM and moderate to severe chronic renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration rate \[eGFR\] \<45 mL/min/1.73 m²). This is a prospective, randomized, active-controlled, multicenter clinical study planned to enroll 206 eligible patients. After successful screening, patients will enter a 2-week run-in period consisting of diet and exercise control together with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Eligible patients will then be randomized to receive dorzagliatin 75 mg twice daily (BID) or linagliptin 5 mg once daily (QD) on top of background antihyperglycemic therapy. Basal insulin therapy will be standardized to insulin glargine U300 after treatment initiation. The treatment period will last 14 weeks, followed by a 1-week safety follow-up period.

Glucose Homeostasis and Shared Genetic Factors in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and diabetes mellitus are two common diseases that frequently occur together and may share underlying genetic, metabolic, and immune-related mechanisms. Previous studies have shown that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and poorer clinical outcomes, while colorectal cancer itself may also influence glucose metabolism. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the relationships among glucose homeostasis, shared genetic factors, inflammatory responses, immune cell profiles, and colorectal cancer outcomes. Participants with colorectal cancer and non-colorectal cancer controls will undergo serial assessments of glucose-related biomarkers, inflammatory markers, immune cell populations, and genetic analyses over time. The study will focus on identifying shared genetic variants that may contribute to both colorectal cancer and diabetes-related traits, as well as exploring biological pathways involving inflammation, immune regulation, and metabolism. Blood samples and available colorectal tissue specimens will be analyzed to evaluate gene expression, immune cell distribution, and molecular changes associated with disease progression. The results of this study may improve understanding of the biological links between colorectal cancer and diabetes, facilitate the development of personalized risk assessment strategies, and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for patients with colorectal cancer.

Sucralose and Glucose Metabolism in Young Healthy Adults

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a three-week consumption of sucralose-sweetened beverages (low-calorie sweetener) on postprandial glycemic responses in healthy adults, compared with sugar-sweetened beverages under real-world conditions. In brief, postprandial glycemic responses are used as an indicator of how your body manages blood sugar levels after consuming glucose. To explore potential mechanisms underlying any observed changes in postprandial glycemic responses, we further investigated potential alterations in gut microbiota composition and functionality, as well as plasmatic biomarkers of intestinal permeability and systemic low-grade inflammation. Finally, this project explored whether free sugars derived from a natural source (100% natural fruit juice) elicit metabolic responses that differ from those of refined sugars. Participants visited the laboratory for a preliminary screening session to assess eligibility prior to being randomly assigned to one of the three experimental groups consuming either sucralose-sweetened beverages (LCS), sucrose-sweetened beverages (SSB), or 100% natural fruit juice (FJ) at dosage approximating real-world consumption over three weeks. Participants underwent two experimental sessions (duration of 3 hours each) at the beginning and completion of the study as outlined below.