Rediscovering Hydroxychloroquine as a Novel Insulin Sensitizer

Overview

Current options to treat insulin resistance in diabetes are fairly limited. For this reason, novel treatments would represent a major progress. The generic drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has poorly understood effects on blood sugar metabolism. In this study, the investigators will examine the mechanisms by which this drug affects glucose metabolism and which cells are affected. Findings emanating from this project will help establish whether HCQ may be a viable treatment for disorders of glucose metabolism.

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
    • Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: August 2016

Interventions

  • Drug: Hydroxychloroquine
    • Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 400mg/d PO for 13±1 weeks
  • Other: Placebo
    • Placebo PO for 13±1 weeks

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo
    • Placebo PO
  • Experimental: Hydroxychloroquine
    • Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 400mg PO QD

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Insulin sensitivity in muscle and liver
    • Time Frame: 13±1 weeks

Secondary Measures

  • biomarkers of inflammation
    • Time Frame: 13±1 weeks

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 21-69 years-old; – BMI 28-40; – Presence of at least one of the following markers of insulin resistance: a) fasting hyperinsulinemia (>7 uU/ml by ultrasensitive insulin assay); impaired fasting glucose (100-125 mg/dl); prior history of impaired glucose tolerance provided by the participant; history of previous gestational diabetes; history of PCOS; waist circumference >40" (men) or >35" (women) (cut-offs from ATP-III criteria for metabolic syndrome). Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy, or unable/unwilling to avoid pregnancy during the study; – Unstable cardiopulmonary disease, hepatitis, liver dysfunction, renal insufficiency, or any other medical condition affecting glucose metabolism or safety during the study; – Diabetes; – Medications that affect glucose metabolism: (e.g. systemic glucocorticoids, antipsychotics); – History of hypersensitivity to local lidocaine, similar anesthetics, or HCQ; – History of G6PDH deficiency; – History of retinopathy; – Weight instability (>3Kg of weight change in the past three months); – Bariatric surgery in the last two years, intention to lose weight or engage in exercise regimen during study; – Alcohol intake >1 drink/day (averaged); – Hemoglobin <10g%

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 21 Years

Maximum Age: 69 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • University of Pittsburgh
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Frederico Toledo, Associate Professor – University of Pittsburgh
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Frederico Toledo, MD, Principal Investigator, University of Pittsburgh

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