delivery of g-pump™ (glucagon infusion) from an omnipod® to prevent hypoglycemia in post-bariatric surgery patients

Conditions: Hypoglycemia; Complications of Bariatric Procedures

Summary: the primary objective of this study is to test an optimized control system for sensor-guided (physician administered) delivery of glucagon, and test proof-of-concept (poc) in a clinical setting in patients with severe hypoglycemia following bariatric surgery.

this is a phase 2a, single-center, open-label, proof-of-concept study designed to test the ability of the control algorithm to detect and direct timing of g-pump™ glucagon infused from an omnipod® pump to prevent hypoglycemia in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycemia syndrome. while the algorithm will provide an alert as to when glucagon should be dosed to prevent hypoglycemia, there will be no automation in this clinical trial and it will ultimately be up to the physician to initiate dosing via the omnipod® controller. participant on continuous glucose monitoring will arrive at the clinic and iv line will be inserted for venous access. subject will then be asked to drink a liquid mixed meal containing 60 g of carbohydrates, e.g. boost® nutritional drink, over 10 minutes. blood samples will be collected for glucose and hormone measurement. the open-loop system will be set to recognize low sensor glucose values, triggering an alert to the physician, who will deliver a bolus of 150 or 300 µg of glucagon via the pump, with the goal of preventing further decline in glucose values. depending on response, a second bolus dose of 150 or 300 µg of glucagon may be administered. plasma glucose will be measured after glucagon administration to ensure successful treatment and glucose stability, and glucagon levels will be analyzed concurrently to determine magnitude of increase above baseline. sensors will be downloaded for subsequent analysis of appropriateness of alert timing and trigger for glucagon bolus delivery.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * diagnosed with ongoing post-bariatric hypoglycemia with prior episodes of neuroglycopenia, unresponsive to dietary intervention (low glycemic index, controlled carbohydrate portions) and trial of acarbose therapy at the maximally tolerated dose. * willingness to provide informed consent and follow all study procedures, including attending all scheduled visits. exclusion criteria: * documented hypoglycemia occurring in the fasting state (\> 12 hours fast); * chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5; * hepatic disease, including serum alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase greater than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal; hepatic synthetic insufficiency as defined as serum albumin \ 2.0; * congestive heart failure, new york heart association class ii, iii or iv; * history of myocardial infarction, unstable angina or revascularization within the past 6 months; * history of a cerebrovascular accident; * seizure disorder (other than with suspect or documented hypoglycemia); * active treatment with any diabetes medications except for acarbose; * active malignancy, except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers; * personal or family history of pheochromocytoma or disorder with increased risk of pheochromocytoma (men 2, neurofibromatosis, or von hippel-lindau disease); * known insulinoma; * major surgical operation within 30 days prior to screening; * hematocrit ≤ 33%; * bleeding disorder, treatment with warfarin, or platelet count \<50,000; * blood donation (1 pint of whole blood) within the past 2 months; * active alcohol abuse or substance abuse; * current administration of oral or parenteral corticosteroids; * pregnancy and/ or lactation: for women of childbearing potential: there is a requirement for a negative urine pregnancy test and for agreement to use contraception during the study and for at least 1 month after participating in the study. * use of an investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening. * there will be no involvement of special vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, prisoners, institutionalized or incarcerated individuals, or others who may be considered vulnerable populations.

Keywords: hypoglycemia glucagon glucose metabolism disorders hormones gastrointestinal agents bariatric surgery incretins