Alpha-MSH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Physiological Study of the Effect of Αlpha-MSH on Glucose Clearance in Healthy Participants
IRAS ID
275910
Contact name
Alexander Miras
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN26265036
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Alpha-melanocyte stimulatory hormone (alpha-MSH) is a hormone that is produced by the brain and released into the bloodstream. It has multiple functions in the body, such as reducing inflammation, promoting skin pigmentation and controlling energy balance. It has recently been shown that in animals, infusion of alpha-MSH increases glucose clearance by promoting its uptake in skeletal muscle, thus lowering circulating blood sugar. Human studies to understand this action of alpha-MSH is a critical next step.
This study aims to observe the effect of alpha-MSH on increasing glucose clearance from the blood by promoting its uptake into skeletal muscle in healthy humans. Fifteen healthy volunteers (8 male, 7 female) above the age of 18 will be recruited from the general public to attend a total of 6 study visits plus a screening visit.
First, participants will be administered infusions of placebo and one of 3 doses of alpha-MSH after ingestion of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on 4 separate occasions. This OGTT tests the body's response to glucose during each infusion which will allow us to identify the concentration of alpha-MSH that causes a reduction in blood sugar.
Once all participants have completed 4 OGTT visits, a further 2 visits will take place where a euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp will be performed. This technique involves infusing insulin and glucose alongside alpha-MSH or placebo, allowing the total amount of glucose being used by the body in response to this to be calculated. As it has been shown that alpha-MSH acts directly on skeletal muscle to increase glucose uptake, the increase in glucose used by the body during alpha-MSH infusion in clamp conditions (compared to placebo) can be attributed to glucose being taken up by skeletal muscle and then quantified.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0355
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion