The Role of the Adrenergic System in Hypoglycaemia Induced Inflammatory Response in People With Type 1 Diabetes and People Without Type 1 Diabetes-RAID-II

Summary

The goal of this trial is to study the effect that adrenaline has on the immune reaction seen during a low blood sugar. People with type 1 diabetes do not produce their own insulin. The cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed. People with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin administration. As a consequence of this insulin therapy the blood sugar can dip too low, causing symptoms such as confusion, irritation and tiredness. This is called hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks. During hypoglycaemia the immune system is activated. The immune system consists of white blood cells which produce cytokines, these are proteins used to kill pathogens such as bacteria. During hypoglycaemia there are no pathogens but the cytokines are still produced, leading to unwanted damage. A previous study performed by our research group showed that the immune system activation caused by hypoglycaemia is associated with the stress hormone adrenaline. Adrenaline is released by the body in moments of stress such as during running or bungee jumping. Adrenaline is also released by the body during hypoglycaemia to increase the sugar level. Our hypothesis is that adrenaline activates the immune system during hypoglycaemia. Adrenaline acts in the body through two receivers, these are called alpha and beta receptors. These are present on almost all cells in the body especially on the immune cells. With the study we want to study the situation where there is a hypoglycaemia without the adrenaline. We will achieve this by lowering the blood sugar in participants. During the low blood sugar we will administer two drugs, which will attach themselves to the adrenaline receivers, the alpha and beta receptor. With this method we hope to block the adrenaline effects and with that block the immune response caused by adrenaline.

Conditions

• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
• Inflammation

Interventions

DRUG

hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic clamp

Insulin will be infused at a continuous rate of 60 mU∙m-2 ∙min-1 and glucose 20% will be infused at a variable rate, aiming for stable plasma glucose levels of 5.0 mmol/L. The infusion rate of glucose will be adjusted by plasma glucose levels, measured at 5-minute intervals. After 30 minutes of stable euglycaemia, plasma glucose levels will be allowed to drop gradually to 2.8 mmol/L and will be maintained at this level for 60 minutes. Then, insulin infusion and adrenergic blockade infusions will be stopped. Glucose infusion will be increased and then tapered until stable euglycaemia plasma levels are reached.

DRUG

Propranolol Hydrochloride 1 MG/ML

When euglycaemic level of 5.0mmol/L is achieved we will start the adrenergic blockade which will continue throughout euglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. The participants will be administered a bolus of phentolamine of 70µg/kg followed by a dose of 7.0µg/kg/min continuous infusion and a bolus of propranolol of 14µg/kg followed by a dose of 1.4µg/kg/min.

DRUG

Phentolamine

When euglycaemic level of 5.0mmol/L is achieved we will start the adrenergic blockade which will continue throughout euglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. The participants will be administered a bolus of phentolamine of 70µg/kg followed by a dose of 7.0µg/kg/min continuous infusion and a bolus of propranolol of 14µg/kg followed by a dose of 1.4µg/kg/min.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Radboud University Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Cees Tack, MD, PhD · Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc)

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-09-30

Completion

2025-10-31

Countries

• Netherlands

Study Locations