Canagliflozin or acarbose versus placebo to ameliorate post-bariatric hypoglycaemia - The HypoBar I randomized clinical trial protocol

Carolina B Lobato*, Clara Tornoe Winding, Kirstine N Bojsen-Møller, Christoffer Martinussen, Simon Veedfald, Jens J Holst, Sten Madsbad, Nils Bruun Jørgensen, Carsten Dirksen

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Post-bariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH) is a rare yet disabling clinical condition, mostly reported after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. RYGB is one of the most widely used and effective bariatric procedures. The pathophysiology of PBH remains unclear, and treatment options are limited in effectiveness and/or carry significant side effects. Acarbose slows carbohydrates digestion and absorption and is generally considered first-line pharmacological treatment for PBH but its gastrointestinal side effects limit patient compliance. Canagliflozin inhibits intestinal and renal sodium-dependent glucose absorption and reduces postprandial excursions of glucose, insulin and incretins after RYGB - effects that could be beneficial in ameliorating PBH.

AIMS: The trial aims to investigate how blood glucose levels are affected during daily living in subjects with PBH during treatment with canagliflozin or acarbose compared with placebo, and to study the meal-induced entero-endocrine mechanisms implied in the treatment responses.

METHODS: In a double-blinded, randomized, crossover clinical trial, HypoBar I will investigate the effectiveness in reducing the risk of PBH, safety, ambulatory glucose profile and entero-endocrine responses when PBH is treated with canagliflozin 300 mg twice daily during a 4-week intervention period, compared with acarbose 50 mg thrice daily or placebo.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: HypoBar I is approved by the Local regulatory entities. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

CONCLUSION: If effective, well-tolerated and safe, canagliflozin could be a novel treatment for people with PBH. HypoBar I might also unravel new mechanisms underlying PBH, potentially identifying new treatment targets.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT number 2022-000157-87.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere15320
JournalDiabetic Medicine
Volume41
Issue number6
Number of pages8
ISSN0742-3071
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

© 2024 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Diabetes UK.

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