Return of First-phase Insulin Secretion in Type 2 Diabetes is Associated With Depletion of Pancreas Lipid

Summary

The hypothesis for this study is that pancreas lipid will be more closely associated with first-phase beta-cell response in African-Americans than in European-Americans, both at baseline and in response to treatment. The investigators will determine whether race influences the association of pancreas lipid with beta-cell function.The proposed research builds upon the investigators preliminary observations in non-diabetic adults that reduction in dietary glycemic load, in the absence of weight loss, selectively reduces visceral adipose tissue and ectopic lipid, and is associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function. No study has attempted to test the hypothesis that selective reduction in pancreatic lipid with a simple change in diet composition, in the absence of energy restriction, will lead to the recovery of beta-cell function in patients with early Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). The investigators hypothesize that participants following a Low Glycemic Diet will show a greater decrease in pancreas lipid. Specifically, the investigators will be the first to demonstrate that a weight-maintaining low-glycemic diet improves glucose tolerance by increasing first-phase insulin secretion. Results may be particularly relevant to African-Americans who are at greater risk for T2D.

Conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Interventions

OTHER

Low Glycemic Diet

The investigators will use a Low Glycemic Load Diet (LG Diet), which emphasizes low-glycemic sources of carbohydrate, and includes mainly whole foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains) with minimal highly processed grain products and added sugar. Protein foods will include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and whey protein supplements if necessary (e.g., for vegetarians). Fat-containing foods will include olive, coconut, and nut oils; butter; tree nuts and nut butters; cheese; cream; coconut milk; avocados; and the fat found in meat. A number of full-fat dairy products will be included. Saturated fat from red meat will be limited to less than 10% of daily caloric intake. The participants will obtain the majority of their fat intake from mono-unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. olive oil), and medium-chain triglycerides (e.g., coconut oil and cream); from nuts and nut butters; and from fresh fish.

OTHER

Control Diet

The Control diet will be compatible with both the American Diabetes Association and The United States Department of Agriculture guidelines. Participants will be given low-fat foods, whole-grain foods, fruits, and vegetables. The meal plans will minimize cholesterol, high-fat foods, high-cholesterol foods, processed starches, and added sugar, and will provide \<2300 mg/day sodium. Saturated fat will be limited to less than 10% of total energy, and all dairy products will be fat-free (or low-fat). Although the Control diet will be a healthful diet, it will include a greater amount of carbohydrate foods from such sources as bread, potatoes, and pasta that will distinguish it qualitatively from the LG diet. In addition, it will have quantitatively more total energy from carbohydrate than the LG diet.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alabama at Birmingham

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-10-09

Primary Completion

2023-07-31

Completion

2023-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations