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NCT Number: NCT06776094

Physical Activity and Insulin Sensitivity Dynamics

The study investigates the role of one single bout of exercise in mediating enhancement of muscle insulin sensitivity following a single bout of exercise. Furthermore, the study is aiming to elucidate the temporal development in insulin signaling, at the early timepoints of insulin stimulation that may be responsible for the enhanced muscle insulin sensitivity.

This will be investigated in young healthy males subjected to a one-legged knee-extensor exercise followed by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, a setup known to enhance muscle insulin sensitivity.

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Key information

Conditions

Insulin Sensitivity Behavior Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperinsulinism Insulin Resistance Metabolic Diseases Motor Activity Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

22 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Section for Human and Molecular Physiology

Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Jørgen FP Wojtaszewski, Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+4535321625

About this study

The participant arrives fasting at 8:00 AM, having abstained from alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine for the past 24 hours and refrained from strenuous physical activity for the past 48 hours. The participants are then subjected to a one-legged knee extension exercise performed by the participant from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Groin catheters are inserted into the femoral artery and vein using ultrasound guidance and sterile technique

Two hours after the completion of the exercise, a catheter is inserted into an arm vein (antecubital vein) and groin catheters are inserted into the femoral artery and vein using ultrasound guidance and sterile technique. Four hours after the exercise ends, a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp is commenced. The clamp begins with a bolus injection of insulin, followed by a continuous infusion. Glucose is infused concurrently to maintain constant blood glucose levels.

Throughout the procedure, blood samples are collected every 5 minutes from the femoral catheters, and blood flow is measured using ultrasound Doppler. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis of both legs are taken before the clamp starts and at 3, 6, 10, and 20 minutes after the clamp's initiation. Following the 20-minute mark, the clamp continues until steady-state is achieved to determine tissue-specific and whole-body insulin sensitivity.

Over the course of the experiment, a total of 10 muscle biopsies and approximately 150 mL of blood are collected. The experimental part of the study is expected to conclude by 4:30 PM. Participants are provided with food and beverages and observed for 1 hour before being allowed to leave the research laboratory.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy individuals (no known diseases)
  • No use of medication
  • Non-smokers
  • Male
  • Aged 22-35 years
  • Fitness level (VO2max, i.e., maximal oxygen uptake) between 30-50 mL O2/min/kg
  • BMI between 28 and 35

Exclusion criteria

  • Women
  • Failure to meet all inclusion criteria
  • Physical activity level (e.g., running, cycling, fitness, etc.) exceeding 6 hours per week
  • Acute illness within 2 weeks prior to the study days
  • Use of recreational drugs within 2 weeks prior to the study days

Treatment and study plan

One-legged-knee extensor exercise

Other

1 hour of one-legged-knee-extensor exercise followed by 4 hours of rest

Insulin infusion

Procedure

The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp is a well-established and recognized method for determining glucose uptake at a specific insulin infusion rate. It is a technique with which we have 25 years of uncomplicated experience. During the clamp, insulin (human recombinant insulin) is infused (1.42 mU/kg/min) into an arm vein (antecubital vein), while glucose (20% solution) is administered in an amount adjusted to maintain blood glucose (plasma glucose concentration) at basal levels.

The amount of insulin administered raises the participant's plasma insulin concentration (blood concentration) to approximately 100 μU/mL, which is considered within the physiological range. Blood samples are collected and analyzed continuously for glucose content, allowing for the determination of glucose uptake at the whole-body level and across the legs.

Later, these blood samples will also be analyzed for relevant metabolites and proteins, including insulin, to assess the metabolism of these substances.

Muscle Biopsy Medication: Lidocaine

Procedure

During supine rest, the skin on the outer thigh, approximately 15 cm above the knee, is disinfected with chlorhexidine alcohol. Subsequently, 3-4 mL of local anesthetic (lidocaine 20 mg/mL) is administered into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and the upper portion of the muscle using a very thin needle. A pinprick test is performed after a few minutes to ensure the anesthetic is effective.

A small incision is then made in the skin and subcutaneous tissue to allow the biopsy needle to pass through to the muscle. Using the biopsy needle, a small sample of muscle tissue (approximately 150 mg) is collected. This may cause some discomfort but is very brief (~1-2 seconds). The needle is removed, a sterile dressing is applied, and the participant can leave the facility after completing the study.

The biopsy may result in mild muscle soreness for 2-3 days, similar to a minor muscle bruise. Regular physical activities can be resumed after the biopsy. However, it is advised to avoid swimming.

Exercise

Other

The participants' maximal oxygen uptake is determined through a test on a cycle ergometer before the start of the experiment. The test begins with a 20-minute warm-up at two different low workloads, after which the workload is gradually increased until the predetermined cadence can no longer be maintained, or the participant indicates exhaustion. During the test, the participant's exhaled air is collected. After completing the warm-up, it typically takes between 4 and 7 minutes to complete the test.

Primary outcomes

  1. Insulin stimulated muscle glucose uptake

    Time frame: Through study completion, approx. 1 year.

    Muscle glucose uptake during insulin stimulation in recovery from exercise (insulin sensitivity) will be determined based on Fick's principle. Thus, femoral arterio-venous difference (av difference) in blood glucose concentration will be multiplied by femoral arterial leg blood flow.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Posttranslational modification of proteins in muscle biopsies

    Time frame: 3 years

    The obtained muscle samples will be subjected to mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomic analysis. This measurement shows posttranslational modification that regulates protein function and will reveal the signalling network underlying the interventions studied. Unit of measure is log2-transformed arbitrary units

Other outcomes

  1. Imaging of transport protein

    Time frame: 1 year

    The obtained muscle samples will be subjected to a microscopy method to validate the spatial distribution and re distribution following insulin stimulation.

  2. Maximum oxygen uptake

    Time frame: Through study completion, approx. 1 year.

    The participants' maximal oxygen uptake is determined through a test on a cycle ergometer before the start of the experiment. The test begins with a 20-minute warm-up at two different low workloads, after which the workload is gradually increased until the predetermined cadence can no longer be maintained, or the participant indicates exhaustion. During the test, the participant's exhaled air is collected. After completing the warm-up, it typically takes between 4 and 7 minutes to complete the test.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jørgen FP Wojtaszewski, Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+4535321625

Nicolai S Henriksen, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+4560110222

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Copenhagen

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Significance of Physical Activity for Insulin Signaling Dynamics and Insulin Sensitivity

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 15, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 2, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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