Can obese people tolerate glucagon? small study aims to find out
NCT ID NCT02817659
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study tests how well 20 healthy obese adults tolerate increasing doses of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. Researchers measure nausea levels to find the highest dose people can handle before feeling sick. The goal is simply to understand tolerability, not to treat obesity directly.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Glucagon
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help design future treatments that use glucagon for weight management.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase study focused only on tolerability, not on weight loss or any disease outcome. Results may not lead to a practical treatment.
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
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2016
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 55 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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. Age 18-55 years, inclusive 2. BMI ≥27 to ≤40 kg/m2 3. Stable body weight for 3 months (self-reported loss/gain \<5%) 4. Subject is judged to be non-diabetic and in good health on the basis of medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and routine laboratory data 5. Subject understands the procedures and agrees to participate in the study program by giving written informed consent, and is willing to comply with the trial restrictions 6. Subject is willing to avoid alcohol consumption for 48 hours prior to the inpatient study visit 7. Subject is willing to avoid consumption of caffeine and caffeinated beverages for 24 hours prior to the inpatient study visit 8. Subject is willing to avoid strenuous physical activity for 72 hours prior to the inpatient study visit 9. Female subjects of child bearing potential must be willing to use acceptable birth control during study participation (oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, implanted or injectable contraceptives, abstinence). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Treatment with any medication known to significantly impact body weight (e.g., weight loss medications, atypical antipsychotics) within 3 months prior to screening except for stable physiological hormone replacement therapy (i.e., thyroid hormone, estrogen) 2. History of bariatric surgery 3. Current liver, renal, pulmonary, cardiac, oncologic, metabolic, gastrointestinal or hematologic disease which the Investigator believes is clinically significant, including: 1. Liver disease or liver injury as indicated by abnormal liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase , serum bilirubin) \>3 × upper limit of normal (ULN), or history of hepatic cirrhosis 2. History or presence of impaired renal function as indicated by an estimated glomerular filtration rate \<60 ml/hr or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio \>35 mg/mmol 3. Significant cardiovascular disease, including Class III or greater congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease, second degree or greater heart block, or clinically significant arrhythmias; baseline second degree or greater heart block or prolonged QT syndrome (QTc interval ≥ 470 msec); or any major cardiovascular event within the last 3 years (including myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack \[TIA\], cerebrovascular accident \[CVA\], angina, and hospitalization due to CHF, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and CVA) 4. Metabolic, other or endocrine disorders, including diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus \[HbA1c ≥6.5%\]), inadequately treated hyperthyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone \[TSH\] below normal range) or hypothyroidism (TSH above upper limit of normal if symptomatic or TSH \>10 U/mL), Cushing syndrome, Addison's disease, hypogonadism, or genetic disorders linked to obesity 5. History of irritable bowel disease, recurrent nausea or vomiting 6. Anemia (hemoglobin \<12 g/dl in men, \<11 g/dl in women) 4. Self-reported history of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV 5. History of recurrent sleep disturbances and/or prone to sleep disturbances based on lifestyle or employment (e.g., variable work schedule, overnight shift work, etc.) 6. Diagnosis of sleep apnea with or without use of (continuous positive airway pressure) 7. Major surgery within last 3 months 8. Blood donation within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit 9. Participation in another investigational trial within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit. The 4 week window will be derived from the date of the last trial medication and/or blood collection in a previous trial and/or adverse event (AE) related to trial drug to the screening visit of the current trial. 10. Illicit drug abuse or use of nicotine-containing products within 3 months prior to the screening visit 11. Poor intravenous access 12. Blood pressure less than 100/50 mm Hg or greater than or equal to 160/100 mm Hg at screening visit 13. Heart rate greater than or equal to 100 beats/min at screening visit 14. Fasting plasma glucose \<60 mg/dL or ≥126 mg/dL at screening visit 15. Translational Research Institute (TRI) staff member or immediate relative of TRI staff member, directly involved with this study 16. History of any illness or condition that, in the opinion of the study investigator, might confound the results of the study or poses an additional risk to the subject by study participation
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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
-
Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes
Orlando, Florida, 32804, United States
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