Medically Reproducing Bariatric Surgery

What this study is testing ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03225209 ↗

Description as written by the study sponsor.

Type 2 diabetes (DM2) is a chronic disease affecting 29 million Americans and a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and limb loss (Engelgau et al 2004). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the only intervention that leads to durable DM2 remission \~ 80% of the time (Mingrone et al 2012). Yet, it's broad application is limited by cost, invasiveness, and clinical inertia. Medically reproducing RYGB would extend the benefit of disease remission to the vast majority of DM2 patients using a cheaper, less invasive and more palatable treatment approach. Although all of the mechanisms mediating DM2 remission are not known, it is widely accepted that RYGB induces caloric restriction and enhances meal-stimulated release of a gut-peptide called glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) both of which improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes (Dar et al 2012; Jackness 2013). Caloric restriction can be achieved using OPTIFAST which is a commercially available medical weight loss program that has demonstrated the ability to decrease weight and improve glycemic control (Kirschner et al; 1998). Enhanced meal-stimulated GLP-1 release can be achieved using Liraglutide an FDA-approved once daily GLP-1 analogue that improves glycemic control and induces weight loss. The investigators hypothesize that adding OPTIFAST (caloric restriction) in suboptimally controlled DM2 patients on Liraglutide (enhanced meal stimulated GLP-1 release), Metformin and Lantus insulin will medically reproduce RYGB and lead to DM2 remission, weight loss, decreased medication intensity and improved health related quality of life.

Treatments tested

• OPTIFAST Other

  OPTIFAST meal replacement includes shakes, bars and soups. These meal replacements will completely replace the subject's diet for the first 12 weeks of the study (baseline-week 12) followed by a gradual transition back to prepared meals over 6 weeks (week 13-18). Attempt will be made to reduce or eliminate Lantus and Metformin as long as glycemic control is maintained.