Electric pulses to the gut: a new hope for diabetes?
NCT ID NCT05014204
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early study tested a device that uses mild electric pulses to regenerate the lining of the upper small intestine in 20 adults with type 2 diabetes. The goal was to see if the procedure is safe and could help lower blood sugar. Participants were on 2-3 diabetes pills and had the procedure done through an endoscope, without surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Endogenex device (uses pulsed electric fields to regenerate the duodenal lining)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-surgical, one-time procedure to help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, potentially reducing the need for multiple medications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 20 participants and no control group. The device may not improve blood sugar meaningfully, and there are risks from the endoscopic procedure itself.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2021
- Finished
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May 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 22- 65 years of age 2. Current diagnosis of T2D 3. History of T2D for at least 3 years and less than or equal to 10 years 4. HbA1C of 7.5-10.0%, inclusive 5. BMI 24-40 kg/m2, inclusive 6. On two to three non-insulin glucose lowering mediations, with one at maximum tolerated dose and another at half-maximum dose at least, with no changes in medication for at least 12 weeks prior to baseline visit prior to baseline visit 7. History of failed attempt to reach glycemic goal by lifestyle modifications 8. Weight stability (defined as a \< 5% change in body weight) for at least 12 weeks prior to the screening visit 9. Agree not to donate blood during participation in the study. 10. Able to comply with study requirements and understand and sign the Informed Consent Form 11. Women of childbearing potential must be using an acceptable method of contraception throughout the study 12. Willing and able to use CGM for the duration of the study and comply with study visits and study tasks as required per protocol. 13. Proof of COVID 19 vaccination. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 2. History of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic coma 3. Probable insulin production failure, defined as overnight fasting C-peptide serum \<1 ng/mL (333pmol/l). 4. Previous use of any types of insulin for \>1 month (at any time, except for treatment of gestational diabetes) in last 2 years. 5. Current use of insulin 6. Hypoglycemia unawareness 7. History of ≥1 severe hypoglycemia episode (defined by needing for third-party assistance) in past 6 months from the screening visit 8. Known autoimmune disease, as evidenced by a positive anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) test, including but not limited to celiac disease, or pre-existing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or other autoimmune connective tissue disorder. (Participants with adequately controlled primary hypothyroidism may be included). 9. Previous GI surgery that has changed GI anatomy or could limit treatment of the duodenum, such as Billroth 2, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric band or other similar procedures or conditions. 10. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the upper GI tract that may impede passage of the device through the upper GI tract or increase risk of tissue damage during an endoscopic procedure, including esophagitis, stricture/stenosis, varices, diverticula, or other disorder of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. 11. Active H. pylori infection (Participants with active H. pylori may continue with the screening process if they are treated with an appropriate antibiotic regimen) 12. History of, or gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis. 13. Acute gastrointestinal illness in the previous 7 days 14. Known history of irritable bowel syndrome, radiation enteritis or other inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and Celiac disease 15. History of chronic or acute pancreatitis. 16. Known active hepatitis or active liver disease other than NASH/NAFLD. 17. Alcoholic liver disease, as indicated by ANI \> 0 18. Current use of anticoagulation therapy (such as warfarin) that cannot be discontinued for 7 days before and 14 days after the procedure. 19. Current use of P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor) that cannot be discontinued for 14 days before and 14 days after the procedure. 20. Unable to discontinue non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during treatment through 4 weeks following the procedure. Use of acetaminophen and low dose aspirin is allowed. 21. Use of systemic glucocorticoids (excluding topical or ophthalmic application or inhaled forms) for more than 10 consecutive days within 12 weeks prior to the baseline visit. 22. Use of drugs known to affect GI motility (e.g. Metoclopramide) 23. Use of weight loss medications such as Meridia, Xenical, Phentermine or over-the-counter weight loss medications (prescription medication) 24. Currently taking, or unable to stop taking dietary supplements or herbal agents, including vitamin C or multivitamins containing vitamin C at \>500 mg per day, multivitamins containing biotin (vitamin B7), and supplements for hair, skin, and nail growth. Multivitamins not containing biotin are permitted. 25. Persistent anemia, defined as hemoglobin \<10 g/dL. 26. Known history of hemoglobinopathy. 27. Known history of blood donation or transfusion within 3 months prior to the Screening Visit. 28. Known history of cardiac arrythmia 29. Significant cardiovascular disease, including known history of valvular disease, or myocardial infarction, heart failure, transient ischemic attack, or stroke within 6 months prior to the Screening Visit. 30. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (estimated by MDRD). 31. Known immunocompromised status, including but not limited to individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy within the past 12 months, who have clinically significant leukopenia, who are positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or whose immune status makes the participant a poor candidate for clinical trial participation in the opinion of the investigator. 32. History of secondary hypothyroidism or inadequately controlled primary hypothyroidism (TSH value outside the normal range at screening) 33. With any implanted electronic devices or duodenal metallic implants 34. Not a candidate for upper GI endoscopy or general anesthesia. 35. Active illicit substance abuse or alcoholism (\>2 drinks/day regularly) 36. Active malignancy within the last 5 years (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) 37. Women breastfeeding 38. Participating in another ongoing clinical trial of an investigational drug or device. 39. Any other mental or physical condition which, in the opinion of the study investigator, makes the participant a poor candidate for clinical trial participation. 40. Critically ill or has a life expectancy \<3 years Additional exclusion criteria to be confirmed during the screening process: 41. HbA1c \< 7.5% or \> 10% at baseline visit 42. Any severe hypoglycemic event since the screening visit 43. CGM readings \<54 mg/dl in more than 1% of time by CGM since the screening visit 44. CGM readings \> 360 mg/dL in more than 1% of time 45. Mean of 3 separate blood pressure measurements \>180 mmHg (systolic) or \>100 mmHg (diastolic) 46. Women of child-bearing potential with a positive urine pregnancy test at baseline visit 47. LA Grade C or greater esophagitis on endoscopy 48. Abnormalities of the GI tract preventing endoscopic access to the duodenum 49. Anatomic abnormalities in the duodenum that would preclude the completion of the treatment procedure, including tortuous anatomy 50. Endoscopic observation of upper gastrointestinal abnormality such as ulcers, polyps, varices, strictures, congenital or intestinal telangiectasia 51. Any other anatomical or endoscopic abnormalities/characteristics that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude safe use of the investigational device or procedure
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
Crosby, Minnesota, 56441, United States
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Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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