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Very Low Carbohydrate Diets and Glucagon Response in T1DM
NCT04200391 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Despite major technological advances, management of type one diabetes mellitus (T1D) remains suboptimal, putting millions of people at risk for immediate and long-term complications. After meals, a mismatch between carbohydrate absorption rate and insulin action typically leads to alternating periods of hyper- and hypoglycemia. A conceptually promising approach to control both problems is dietary carbohydrate restriction to reduce postprandial blood glucose changes and insulin needs. In a prior survey study, the investigators documented exceptional glycemic control (HbA1c 5.67%) and low acute complication rates among 316 children and adults with T1D consuming a very-low-carbohydrate (VLC) diet. Despite these promising preliminary results, the use of VLC diets for T1D remain controversial, because of their restrictive nature and theoretical concerns regarding growth, ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia risks and efficiency of glucagon treatment for hypoglycemia. Glucagon is used as a rescue medication during severe hypoglycemia and increases blood glucose levels by mobilizing liver glycogen stores. If these stores are depleted during carbohydrate restriction, glucagon response may be inadequate and put individuals at risk for refractory hypoglycemia. A physiologic study has shown a blunted but still adequate response to glucagon in n=10 participants after following a VLCD for 1 week. Longer-term studies have not been done. To test the hypotheses that glucagon response remains adequate while following a VLC diet in the longer term, the investigators will conduct a glucagon challenge in participants who are assigned to the VLC arm of a randomized-controlled feeding study in 32 young adults with T1D who will receive a VLC vs a standard diet for 12 weeks. After an overnight fast, twelve participants in the VLC arm will receive IV insulin to lower blood glucose levels to 60 mg/dL, followed by a glucagon injection and monitoring of blood glucose levels and other metabolic fuels
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- OTHER Very low carbohydrate diet
Study Locations (1)
Massachusetts
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 12 participants |
| Start Date | 2020-01-03 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-07-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04200391
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04200391 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 12 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Boston Children's Hospital, which has 752 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Type1diabetes appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Very low carbohydrate diet is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04200391 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Massachusetts. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04200391 about?
NCT04200391 is a clinical study titled "Very Low Carbohydrate Diets and Glucagon Response in T1DM". Despite major technological advances, management of type one diabetes mellitus (T1D) remains suboptimal, putting millions of people at risk for immediate and long-term complications. After meals, a mismatch between carbohydrate absorption rate and insulin action typically leads to alternating period...
What is the current status of trial NCT04200391?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 12 participants. The study started on 2020-01-03. Estimated completion is 2026-07-31.
What conditions does trial NCT04200391 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Type1diabetes. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04200391?
The interventions under investigation include: Very low carbohydrate diet (OTHER). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04200391?
This trial is sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital, which has 752 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04200391 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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