Mechanisms of prevention of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle intervention in subjects with pre-diabetes or at high risk for progression

ISRCTN ISRCTN66987085
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66987085
Secondary identifying numbers Grant agreement no: 279228
Submission date
20/03/2014
Registration date
06/05/2014
Last edited
11/04/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Despite scientific advances in the understanding of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), it remains a challenge to effectively identify and manage individuals in the general population who are at high risk of developing diabetes or those who already have undiagnosed diabetes. DEXLIFE (Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle) is an EU project that aims to identify biomarkers that better predict the development of type 2 diabetes.

Who can participate?
We propose to recruit 450 subjects at high risk of developing diabetes over the next 3 years and expect that 400 will complete the intervention.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to the 3-month intervention or to a control group. The exercise intervention will involve 4 exercise sessions each week in Dublin City University (DCU) Sport. We will measure oral glucose tolerance, fitness, body fat, metabolic rate, and vascular health from each participant before and after the 3-month study. In addition, we will take a muscle biopsy and blood samples to identify biomarkers. Samples will be kept for a maximum of 15 years, and as new testing techniques and new relevant biomarkers are identified, they will also be tested for.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits: Participants will undertake a lifestyle intervention or will get dietary and exercise advice (control group), which are associated with health benefits. It is expected that participation in the intervention group will lead to an increase in insulin sensitivity and an improvement in fitness. While the control group may not get this benefit during the 12-week study, we will offer them the same exercise programme and access to DCU Sport following the study.
Possible risks include:
Blood Draw: We will be taking blood samples for the determination of glucose tolerance and to identify biomarkers. The insertion and placement of the cannula should be minimally painful, a slight ache may be felt and a bruise may appear on the arm. There is also a small risk of infection, but by using the appropriate techniques, this risk is minimal. Action: Only research personnel trained to take blood and insert cannulae will be allowed take the blood samples. In the event of a large hematoma or risk of infection, the study physician will see the participant as soon as possible.
VO2 peak test: The assessment of peak aerobic capacity (VO2max) is a key outcome determinant of the lifestyle intervention. A high aerobic capacity is associated with lower risk of diabetes and mortality but as a test of maximal effort, there are some risks. As subjects approach a maximal effort, they may experience episodes of transient light-headedness, chest discomfort, leg cramps, occasional irregular heartbeats, and abnormal blood pressure responses. The risk of a coronary event, although minor (approximately one occurrence per 15,000 tests), does exist. Action: We will be monitoring cardiac rhythm according to exercise testing guidelines and will have physician supervision of the exercise test. In the event of an incident, the study physician will stop the test and initiate appropriate medical management.
Exercise training: This may lead to muscle tightness, soreness, fatigue, and rarely a pulled muscle. Action: If a subject does develop an injury as a result of their participation in the exercise intervention they will be treated by the study physician who is also a sports medicine specialist. An on campus clinic (ExWell Medical) operated by the study physician has physiotherapists that will treat any injury. The exercise intervention will be modified according to recommendations.
Muscle biopsy: There will be some discomfort during the muscle biopsy procedure. Local anaesthesia will be administered to temporary numb the skin near the biopsy site. There is a risk of local bleeding and infection (< 1:200). By using appropriate techniques during these procedures the risks outlined above are minimised. We have conducted hundreds of biopsies in the last number of years and have a standard operating procedure to monitor the participants during and after this procedure. Action: Any adverse event will be monitored by the study physician and appropriately referred if required.
DEXA analysis: Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is a technique used to measure body fat. The body is scanned with a low dose of radiation. The radiation exposure from a whole body DEXA is approximately 1.0-3.6 μSv, in comparison to a standard chest X-ray of approximately 100 μSV. On an annual basis we are exposed to approximately 2400 μSv. Therefore, the DEXA is equivalent to no more than 1-3 days of background exposure. Action: The DEXA scans are 3-months apart, and while the radiation dose is very low we will exclude individuals who are pregnant or have any condition that might be affected by unnecessary radiation exposure.

Where is the study run from?
Dublin City University (Ireland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2013 to June 2015

Who is funding the study?
European Union

Who is the main contact?
Dr Donal O'Gorman

Study website

Contact information

Dr Donal O'Gorman
Scientific

Centre for Preventive Medicine
School of Health and Human Performance
Dublin City University
Glasnevin
Dublin
9
Ireland

Study information

Study designTwo-armed randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleMechanisms of prevention of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle intervention in subjects with pre-diabetes or at high risk for progression: a two-armed randomized controlled trial
Study acronymDEXLIFE (Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle)
Study objectivesA 12-week partially supervised exercise training programme accompanied with individualised dietary advice will improve insulin sensitivity and assist with body fat reduction
Ethics approval(s)Dublin City University Research Ethics Committee, 08/06/2012, ref: DCUREC/2012/080
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrediabetes
InterventionParticipants will be randomized into the following two groups (ratio 3:1):
1. Intervention arm: 12-week partially supervised exercise training programme accompanied with dietary advice
2. Control arm: lifestyle advice to increase daily physical activity and improve their diet
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measure1. Transcriptomic, epigenetic, lipidomic and metabolic function by applying appropriate omics techniques in muscle and serum samples (at baseline, 3 months after baseline, and 9 months after baseline)
2. Insulin sensitivity by analysis of blood samples following intake of af glucose solution (plasma glucose and insulin from a 6-point oral glucose tolerance test) (at baseline and 3 months after baseline)
3. Fitness using the Vo2 Peak Test (at baseline and 3 months after baseline)
4. Adiposity (body composition by DEXA scanning and bio-impedance analysis, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI) (at baseline and 3 months after baseline)
Secondary outcome measures1. Fat distribution by assessment of subcutaneous and visceral fat through Ultrasonography (at baseline and 3 months after baseline)
2. Heart rate variability using the VAGUS apparatus (at baseline and 3 months after baseline)
3. Objectively measured physical activity by 7-day accelerometer assessment using ActiGraph (at baseline, 3 months after baseline, and 9 months after baseline)
4. Physical and mental health by questionnaires (SF-36, Benefits and Barriers Questionnaire, self-efficacy questionnaire) (at baseline, 3 months after baseline, and 9 months after baseline)
5. Dietary assessment (3-day semi-quantitative food diary) (at baseline and 3 months after baseline)
6. Pulse wave velocity using the SphygmoCor XCEL System (at baseline and 3 months after baseline) (in a subsample)
Overall study start date21/09/2013
Completion date30/06/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit65 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants400 (300 intervention, 100 control)
Total final enrolment373
Key inclusion criteria1. Male and female adults
2. Aged 18-65 years
3. Impaired fasting glucose (6.1-7.0 mmol/l) or impaired glucose tolerance (7.0-11.1 mmol/l after a 2-hr oral glucose tolerance test) OR normal glucose tolerance but a score >12 on the FINDRISC questionnaire
Key exclusion criteria1. Individuals with diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, renal disease, active cancer, HIV infection, a seizure disorder or epilepsy, previous thyroid surgery or hyperthyroidism, chronic diarrhoea, being treated for obesity, chronic disabling conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, or have had recent major surgery
2. Individuals who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant
3. Individuals with a peak aerobic capacity greater than 50 ml/kg/min
4. Individuals who have changed body weight >5% in the past month
5. Individuals who are found to have clinically significant abnormalities on routine lab testing
6. Individuals who have a positive response to the exercise stress test
7. Individuals who are unable to stay in the same geographic location for the duration of the study
Date of first enrolment21/09/2013
Date of final enrolment30/06/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Ireland

Study participating centre

Dublin City University
Dublin
9
Ireland

Sponsor information

Dublin City University (Ireland)
University/education

Glasnevin
Dublin
9
Ireland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04a1a1e81

Funders

Funder type

Government

Seventh Framework Programme
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
EC Seventh Framework Programme, European Commission Seventh Framework Programme, EU Seventh Framework Programme, European Union Seventh Framework Programme, FP7

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other publications study methods 01/11/2014 Yes No
Protocol article protocol 18/11/2015 Yes No
Results article 08/04/2024 11/04/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

11/04/2024: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
01/09/2020: No publications found.