Lactate and Glycerol Contribution to Gluconeogenesis

A major cause of increased blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increased hepatic gluconeogenesis (GNG), as the liver converts various substrates into glucose. Two of these substrates include glycerol, a molecule from fat, and lactate, a molecule that circulates in the blood. Our previously collected data suggest that glycerol's role in this process has been underestimated, so the investigators will directly compare the carbon contribution of glycerol and lactate to new glucose production under fasting conditions in patients with and without T2D. The investigators will also assess how glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels, impacts the conversion of glycerol and lactate to glucose. Enrolled participants will undergo three separate isotope tracer infusions with serial blood collections for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. This research could identify new therapeutic drug targets that can lower blood glucose levels more directly and effectively.

NCT Number	NCT06955130
Lead Sponsor	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Conditions	Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Healthy
Enrollment	48 participants
Start Date	2026-07-01
Primary Completion	2029-04-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-04-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-12-02