Ghrelin is a hormone naturally produced in the stomach and the gut. The purpose of this
research study is to determine the role of this gut hormone in the regulation of insulin
secretion from the pancreas and glucose disposal after we eat. The investigators hypothesize
that ghrelin has an effect on the pancreas and on how our body handles glucose after we eat.
The investigators will compare insulin secretion and glucose changes during meal ingestion
while either acyl ghrelin (AG) or saline (salt solution) is being infused through your vein
on separate study days. AG is a form of the ghrelin hormone that has a small modification to
it that allows it to bind to a specific receptor. The investigators hypothesize that AG has
an effect on how the body handles glucose after a meal. AG has been approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) for human research only. This study will also involve the use
of a medicine called arginine, which is a naturally occurring product and found in many
nutritional supplements. Its use in this study is investigational. The use of arginine helps
maximize insulin release from the pancreas so the investigators can better examine whether AG
affects insulin secretion.
Phase:
Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Jenny Tong, MD, MPH
Collaborator:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)