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NCT Number: NCT05838287

Pioglitazone on Heart Failure in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Participants

Our goal of the study is to learn the effects of the diabetes medication named Pioglitazone, in type-2 diabetic obese participants with Heart failure. The main question it aims to answer are:

1. To demonstrate that impaired mitochondrial function leading to reduced ATP generation plays a key pathophysiologic role in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in obese type 2 diabetic (T2D) individuals. 2. To demonstrate that pioglitazone, improves diastolic (as well as systolic) function by improving myocardial insulin sensitivity and by reducing both myocardial and epicardial fat content.

Recruiting

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Key information

Age range

30 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Texas Diabetes Institute/UH

San Antonio, Texas, 78229-3900, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ralph DeFronzo, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

210-358-7200

Ralph DeFronzo, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Sivaram Neppala, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

210-358-7200

Sivaram Neppala, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

Either Pioglitazone or Placebo Pioglitazone will be administered during this study in this Type 2 Diabetic population with Heart Failure to examine if there are any beneficial effects on diastolic and systolic function.

Myocardial blood flow (MBF) is measured using a PET scan, then participants will be randomized to pioglitazone or a placebo to examine the effects of the study drug on the effects on the systolic and diastolic function of the heart. In addition, myocardial insulin sensitivity change will be measured as well as myocardial fat content. The ratio of ATP: PCr will also be measured.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  • Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  • Male or female, aged 30-70 years
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27.5-40kg/m²
  • HbA1c of 6.5 to 10%
  • Blood pressure of less than or equal to 145/65mmHg
  • eGFR greater than 45 ml/min/1.73m²
  • Subject must have HFpEF (EF > 50% by ECHO screening)
  • NYHA class II-III heart failure
  • Only T2D patients treated with diet/exercise, metformin, sulfonylurea, metformin/SU, DPP4i or insulin will be studied.
  • For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation and for an additional [4 weeks] after the end of study participation.
  • For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner.

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects with history of osteoporosis or proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • Subjects with Heart failure due to restrictive or infiltrative cardiomyopathy, active myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis, severe valvular heart disease, etc. will be excluded
  • Patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease.
  • Subjects with significant change in diuretic management during the month prior to screening (defined by doubling of diuretic dose, or addition of another HF medication).
  • Subjects treated with a GLP-1 RA or thiazolidinedione.
  • Subjects treated with a SGLT2i
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Known allergic reactions to components of the study interventions.
  • Any metal plates, parts, screws, shrapnel, pins in body, or cardiac (heart) pacemaker

Treatment and study plan

pioglitazone

Drug

Participants will be taking Pioglitazone tablets 1/day for 24 weeks.

Other names: Actos

Placebo

Drug

Placebo for Pioglitazone

Other names: Placebo tablet

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Systolic function

    Time frame: Baseline and 6-months post treatment (approximately 24 weeks)

    Measurement of change in systolic function of the heart using cardiac MRI

  2. Change in Diastolic function

    Time frame: Baseline and 6-months post treatment (approximately 24 weeks)

    Measurement of change in diastolic function of the heart using cardiac MRI

Secondary outcomes

  1. Myocardial insulin sensitivity

    Time frame: Baseline and 6-months post treatment (approximately 24 weeks)

    Measurement of change in Free Plasma Glucose (FPG) in blood plasma

  2. Myocardial fat content

    Time frame: Baseline and 6-months post treatment (approximately 24 weeks)

    Measurement of change in myocardial fat content

  3. PCr:ATP ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and 6-months post treatment (approximately 24 weeks)

    Measurement of change in PCr:ATP ratio

Study contacts

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

Andrea Hansis-Diarte, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

210-567-3208

Sivaram Neppala, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

210-358-7200

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pioglitazone, Lipotoxicity, and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

Acronym: PIOHF

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2030
First posted
May 1, 2023
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 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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