The Effect of SGLT2 Inhibition on Adipose Inflammation and Endothelial Function
Launched by VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Jul 24, 2023
Trial Information
Current as of July 23, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying a medication called empagliflozin to see if it can help reduce inflammation caused by obesity and improve blood vessel function. Obesity is linked to various health problems, including heart disease, partly due to ongoing inflammation in body fat. The researchers hope that understanding how empagliflozin works can lead to better treatments for these issues.
To be eligible for this study, participants need to be between 18 and 70 years old and have metabolic syndrome, which means they meet certain health criteria related to blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. They should also have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher and be scheduled for weight-loss surgery, like a gastric bypass, within the next 90 to 150 days. Participants can expect regular check-ups and monitoring during the trial, and they will be randomly assigned to either receive empagliflozin or a placebo (a non-active treatment). It's important for potential participants to know that there are certain health conditions that would prevent them from joining, such as uncontrolled diabetes or recent heart problems.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • 1. Age 18 to 70 years old
- 2. Metabolic syndrome as defined by 3 or more of 5 criteria:
- • 1. Systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85 mmg Hg or treatment with anti-hypertensive medications for minimum of 1 month
- • 2. Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL or treatment with a triglyceride-targeted medication (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin, high dose omega-3 fatty acids)
- • 3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) \< 40 mg/dL in males or \< 50 mg/dL in females
- • 4. Fasting blood glucose ≥ 100mg/dL or treatment with glucose-lowering medications
- • 5. Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in males or ≥ 88cm in females
- • 3. BMI ≥ 35 kg/M2
- • 4. Scheduled gastric bypass or gastric sleeve in approximately 90 days (range 90-270 days)
- • 5. The ability to provide informed consent
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • 6. Type 1 diabetes.
- • 7. Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes as defined by HbA1c ≥ 9%.
- • 8. Use of anti-diabetic medications other than stable dose of metformin or a sulfonylurea in the last 1 month.
- • 9. Treatment with a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or co-agonist in the last 3 months.
- • 10. Treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor in the last 3 months.
- • 11. Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women of child-bearing potential will be required to have undergone surgical sterilization or to be using an intra-uterine device, hormonal contraceptive, or barrier methods of birth control.
- • 12. Cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction within six months prior to enrollment, presence of angina pectoris, significant arrhythmia, congestive heart failure (left ventricular hypertrophy acceptable), deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, -second- or third-degree heart block, mitral valve stenosis, aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- • 13. Presence of implanted cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker
- • 14. History of serious neurologic disease such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, or transient ischemic attack
- • 15. History of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery
- • 16. History or presence of immunological or hematological disorders
- • 17. Clinically significant gastrointestinal impairment that could interfere with drug absorption
- • 18. History of advanced liver disease with cirrhosis
- • 19. Individuals with an eGFR\<45 mL/min/1.73 m2, where eGFR is determined by the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, where serum creatinine is expressed in mg/dL and age in years: eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2)=186 • Scr-1.154 • age-0.203 • (0.742 if female)
- • 20. Treatment with chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy (more than 7 consecutive days in 1 month)
- • 21. Treatment with anticoagulants
- • 22. Any underlying or acute disease requiring regular medication which could possibly pose a threat to the subject or make implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the study results difficult
- • 23. History of alcohol abuse (\>14 per week for men and \>7 per week for women) or illicit drug use
- • 24. Treatment with any investigational drug in the one month preceding the study
- • 25. Previous randomization in this trial
- • 26. Mental conditions rendering a subject unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study
- • 27. Inability to comply with the protocol in the opinion of the principal investigator, e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits, and unlikelihood of completing the study
- Criteria Related to Known Adverse Effects of Drug:
- • 28. Uncircumcised men or men with history of balanitis
- • 29. History of urinary incontinence
- • 30. History of recurrent (\>3) episodes of vulvovaginitis per year, or severe symptoms
- • 31. History of Fournier's gangrene
- • 32. History of recurrent (≥3) UTIs per year or pyelonephritis
- • 33. History of symptomatic hypotension or conditions predisposing to volume depletion
- • 34. Known peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, history of foot ulcers or lower limb amputations
- • 35. Treatment with loop diuretics furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid
- • 36. Known or suspected allergy to trial medications, excipients, or related products
- • 37. Contraindications to study medications, worded specifically as stated in the product's prescribing information
About Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a leading academic medical center located in Nashville, Tennessee, renowned for its commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative research and clinical excellence. As a prominent sponsor of clinical trials, VUMC integrates cutting-edge scientific inquiry with patient-centered care, supporting a diverse array of studies aimed at enhancing medical knowledge and improving treatment outcomes. With a robust infrastructure and a multidisciplinary team of experts, VUMC fosters collaboration across various fields, ensuring the highest standards of safety and ethical considerations in its research endeavors. Through its dedication to medical discovery and education, VUMC plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of medicine.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Mona Mashayekhi, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported