Clinical trial NCT04387201
Conditions: Glucose Intolerance Overweight and Obesity Drug Effect Adiposity
Keywords: GLP-1 prediabetes brown fat adipose tissue IL-6
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Start date: 2020-05-15; Completion date: 2023-10-06
Enrollment: 23 participants; Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: CROSSOVER

Brief summary:
This project investigates the anti-obesity mechanisms of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs, which are used in the treatment of human obesity and diabetes mellitus. The investigators will test if GLP-1 induces secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that may collaborate with GLP-1 analogs to induce the formation of brown fat, which has anti-diabetic properties. The results will guide future obesity and diabetes mellitus therapies.

Detailed description:
Incretins, the analogs of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus and counteract obesity through mechanisms that are not completely understood. The investigators' preliminary data show that, in prediabetic human subjects and mice, GLP-1 analog therapy induces an increase in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, which induces brown (beige) adipocyte differentiation in adipose tissue (AT). The investigators discovered that plasma IL-6 induction occurs through GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) stimulation in leukocytes. Interestingly, studies in rodents indicate that GLP-1 / GLP-1R signaling also induces AT beiging. Based on these observations, the investigators hypothesize that incretins induce AT browning in part via transient IL-6 / IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) / STAT3 signaling. The primary objective is to further elucidate the role of IL-6 and GLP-1 signaling in mediating beneficial metabolic effects of incretin therapy. Studies will be paralleled in a human clinical trial, a human cell culture model, and a mouse diet-induced obesity model. GLP-1 analog therapy combined with an IL-6 blocking antibody will be used. Specific Aim 1 is to (A) investigate IL-6 induction / downstream STAT3 signaling and AT browning upon incretin therapy in prediabetic human subjects; and (B) validate mice as a model to study incretin-induced IL-6 signaling as a mediator of AT browning. Specific Aim 2 is to (A) investigate if GLP-1 analog effects on beige adipogenesis depend on IL-6 signaling in human adipocyte progenitors; and (B) investigate if GLP-1 analog effects on beige adipogenesis depend on IL-6 signaling in mice. It is expected that 1) GLP-1 analog signaling via GLP-1R induces IL-6 secretion by leukocytes, and 2) GLP-1 analog therapy induces adipose tissue browning via both direct GLP-1 / GLP-1R signaling and indirect incretin-induced IL-6 / IL-6R / STAT3 signaling. The results of this novel study will give critical insights on the anti-obesity mechanisms of GLP-1 analogs and serve as the basis for developing more targeted therapies for diabetes and obesity. Understanding the anti-diabetic IL-6 effects will also be important for interpreting the results of IL-6 blockade, a therapeutic approach for patients with diabetes and other inflammatory conditions, which may need to be re-considered.

Arms: arm 1: Participants first received Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 1000 mcg subcutaneous weekly for 6 weeks. After a washout period of 3 weeks, they then received Dulaglutide 0.75 mg subcutaneous weekly for 2 weeks, followed by 1.5 mg subcutaneous weekly for 4 weeks arm 2: Participants first received Dulaglutide 0.75 mg subcutaneous weekly for 2 weeks, followed by 1.5 mg subcutaneous weekly for 4 weeks. After a washout period of of 3 weeks, they then Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 1000 mcg subcutaneous weekly for 6 weeks.
Interventions: intervention 1: Cyanocobalamin intervention 2: Dulaglutide
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 1000 mcg subcutaneous weekly for 6 weeks. intervention 2: Dulaglutide 0.75 mg subcutaneous weekly for 2 weeks, followed by 1.5 mg subcutaneous weekly for 4 weeks

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_001.pdf: 
Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GLP-1 Therapy: The Role of IL-6 Signaling and Adipose Tissue Remodeling in Metabolic Response 
 
NCT04387201 
 
Version Date: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
2 
 
 
Protocol Title: 
GLP-1 Therapy: The Role of IL-6 Signaling and Adipose Tissue Remodeling in 
Metabolic Response 
 
Principal Investigator: 
Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
 
Co-Investigators: 
Mihir Patel, MD 
Isis Gayed, MD 
MinJae Lee, PhD 
Mikhail Kolonin, PhD 
Zhanguo Gao, PhD 
Hongyu Wang, MD, PhD 
Richard Tapnio, MD 
 
Population: 
This study will enroll 26 prediabetic (otherwise generally healthy) 
subjects, males and female, aged 18-50 years old, from the Houston, TX area. 
 
Number of Sites: 
Single site 
 
Study Duration: 
3 years 
 
Subject Duration: 
Up to 6 months 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
I. Background and Significance ............................................................................................................ 3 
II. Background and Innovation… .......................................................................................................... 4 
III. Objectives… ................................................................................................................................... 6 
IV. Study Design .................................................................................................................................. 7 
V. Statistics/Outcomes ....................................................................................................................... 10 
VI. Study Population .......................................................................................................................... 13 
VII. Study Procedures… ...................................................................................................................... 14 
VIII. Data Safety and Monitoring for Adverse Events….......................................................................... 20 
IX. Adequacy of Protection Against Risks… ........................................................................................... 22 
X. Potential Benefits of the Proposed Research to Subjects and Others… .............................................. 25 
XI. Importance of the Knowledge to be Gained .................................................................................... 26 
XII. References… ................................................................................................................................. 27 
XIII. Appendix I: Outcome Measures ................................................................................................... 32 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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I. Background and Significance 
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by increased blood glucose in the context 
of insulin resistance. Incretin mimetics, especially the analogs of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), have shown 
great promise in T2DM therapy. Their physiological effects are complex and the mechanisms underlying their 
short-term and long-term glucose lowering effects are incompletely understood. Obesity, a condition of adipose 
tissue (AT) overgrowth, predisposes to type 2 diabetes. Various cells composing white AT (WAT) execute diverse 
functions implicated in the metabolic syndrome (1). It has been shown that dysfunctional visceral AT (VAT) in 
obese individuals contributes to metabolic disease (2). In contrast, subcutaneous AT (SAT) can develop anti- 
diabetic properties (3, 4) when it acquires mitochondria-rich adipocytes specialized to burn lipids through 
adaptive thermogenesis in response to sympathetic nervous system (SNS) stimuli (5). The organ specialized in 
executing this function is brown adipose tissue (BAT), which has fixed anatomic locations (6-8). The 
"inducible/recruitable" brown-like (beige aka brite) adipocytes, arising in SAT in response to catecholamines 
activating β3 adrenergic receptors, are functionally similar to adipocytes in the canonical (constitutive) BAT (9, 
10). Brown and beige adipocytes enable thermogenic energy dissipation, which relies on the function of UCP1 
leaking protons to uncouple substrate oxidation from ATP synthesis (4, 11). Both BAT and beige fat activate 
energy expenditure and can counteract metabolic consequences of obesity in mice (5, 12, 13). In adult humans, 
the presence of BAT in the supraclavicular area has been reported (14), the presence of beige adipocytes in 
various depots is unequivocal (5, 15), and activation of beige adipocytes by SNS has been demonstrated upon 
cold exposure (16). In humans, BAT and beige fat are traditionally visualized by 18F-FDG PET-CT (17-19); however, 
these are also present in supraclavicular fat (via presence of UCP1) in absence of positive PET status (20). While 
it is currently believed that GLP-1 analogs lower glucose mainly by increasing insulin production by the pancreas 
(21), there is accumulating evidence that incretins also signal upon the immune system (22, 23). Importantly, 
while evidence in humans is not yet available, incretins induce browning of AT in mice (24-28), which could 
contribute to its efficacy. Our parallel human / mouse studies will elucidate important GLP-1 signaling 
mechanisms, which may ultimately guide development of new therapeutics for diabetes and obesity. 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
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II. Background and Innovation 
 
Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, and WAT dysfunction is associated with leukocyte infiltration 
in AT and increased signaling via key inflammatory cytokines such is interleukin-6 (IL-6) (29). Indeed, AT and 
plasma IL-6 levels are higher in obese and insulin-resistant individuals, compared to healthy lean controls (30, 
31). Interestingly, IL-6 also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, leading to insulin sensitization and decreased 
atherogenesis (32). The evolving paradigm shift is that, while chronic inflammation underlies diabetes, transient 
low-level inflammation stimulates beige adipogenesis, and hence may be beneficial (33, 34). The nuances of 
chronic versus acute IL-6 signaling are not well understood. IL-6 is secreted by various cell types, mainly 
leukocytes, and the IL6 receptor (IL-6R) is expressed by numerous cell types, including adipocyte progenitors. In 
AT, IL-6 may act in autocrine/paracrine manner to influence insulin sensitivity (35, 36). IL-6 acts as a Th2 cytokine 
stimulating AT macrophage proliferation and (alternative) M2 macrophage activation (37, 38) and hyperplasia 
(39), which may indirectly affect AT physiology. In addition, IL-6 directly activates IL-6R in preadipocytes (40) and 
signaling of IL-6 family cytokines via STAT3 (41) can directly commit preadipocytes to beige adipogenesis (34). 
The novelty of this study is the implication of IL-6 signaling potentially mediating the effects of GLP-1 analogs. 
Our preliminary data indicate that incretin mimetics affect IL-6 secretion by leukocytes and IL-6 blood level, 
which has not been reported before. Interestingly, chronic GLP-1 analog therapy – administered in a weight- 
neutral manner – also displays increased circulating IL-6. Based on this, we hypothesize that transient IL-6 
secretion, mediated by GLP-1R activation in leukocytes, such as AT macrophages, promotes AT browning. In SA 
1, we will confirm that incretin treatment results in AT beiging. As a candidate of molecular pathway of IL-6 
induction, we will test the known mediators of GLP-1R signaling, namely PI-3K, AKT, p38, and ERK, which are 
upstream of NFkB, a transcription factor regulating IL-6 expression (42-46). In SA 2, we will assess direct GLP-1R 
signaling and indirect incretin-induced IL-6 / IL-6R signaling via STAT3 activation (47) as mechanisms underlying 
beige adipogenesis. In vitro studies show that GLP-1 stimulates differentiation of adipocytes (48-51) and 
induces AT browning (24-28). We hypothesize that a direct GLP-1R activation leading to cAMP-mediated 
activation of the PKA pathway promotes brown adipogenesis (45, 48, 52-55). Our study will elucidate the role of 
GLP-1 / IL6 signaling on the immune system and AT in AT browning. The new insights on the anti-obesity 
mechanisms of incretin mimetic medications from our study will help re-evaluate the repercussions of IL-6- 
blocking antibodies currently considered as a therapy in diabetes / obesity clinical settings (56). 
 
Preliminary data 
Prediabetic, obese humans participated in two clinical studies. 
Study #1: Randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled double-blinded prospective trial. Two study visits each 
utilized single doses of exenatide 10 mcg subcutaneous injection or saxagliptin 5 mg orally. For each visit, 
subjects presented to our Clinical Research Unit (CRU) after an overnight fast. Subjects received baseline blood 
draw, then study medication, and then a standardized meal. Blood draw was repeated in the postprandial 
period. 16 subjects completed this study. 
Study #2: Nonrandomized, prospective extension study with exenatide ER (Extended-Release), a slow-release 
incretin. Subjects self-administered exenatide ER 2 mg weekly for six weeks and then presented to the CRU after 
an overnight fast. Baseline blood draw was followed by a standardized meal and postprandial blood draw. 
Exenatide ER was not re-administered due to its long duration of action (up to 10 weeks). 7 subjects completed 
this study. 
Results showed a plasma IL-6 increases acutely after single treatments 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
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per 2 
types 
of 
 
 
 
 
incretin mimetics - exenatide (GLP-1 agonist) or DPP-IV inhibitor saxagliptin 
(Fig. 2). Elevated IL-6 levels were maintained after six weeks of treatment 
with exenatide ER, with no change in body weight (Fig. 2). Previous studies 
show that placebo does not significantly increase plasma IL-6 (57-59). Our 
Figure 2. A) The effect of incretin mimetic therapy 
on plasma IL-6 levels. Prediabetic obese humans 
were challenged with single doses of exenatide or 
saxagliptin in a randomized blinded crossover trial. 
2 hr after drug administration with standardized 
meal, plasma IL-6 levels increased in both 
exenatide and saxagliptin. n=16. *p<0.01 by paired 
t-test, B) Elevated IL-6 seen both after acute 
exenatide and after exenatide ER treatment. C) No 
weight change after exenatide ER therapy (6 
weeks). n=7. Statistics was calculated using 
Wilcoxon signed-rank test. 
results suggest the response to incretins is not due to AT loss but rather to GLP-1R signaling, potentially 
mediated by IL-6. 
 
As our preliminary data showed that acute incretin therapy induces a transient increase in plasma IL-6, we 
tested if incretins induce IL-6 production by leukocytes. Treating adherent human PBMCs 
(mainly monocytes / macrophages) with GLP-1 analog in cell culture led to a robust increase 
in IL-6 secretion, comparable to that induced by LPS used as a positive control (Fig. 3). 
Figure 3. GLP-1 analog induces IL-6 secretion by human leukocytes. Human PBMC cells from a healthy donor 
were seeded at 2×10
6 cells/0.2 mL/well of RPMI 1640 containing 10% FBS onto a 48-well plate. After 24      
h, medium was removed and the cells were washed with RPMI 1640 medium. Adherent cells were treated with 
200ul RPMI 1640 medium containing 100ng/ml of LPS or 100nM of Liraglutide for 12 hours. The supernatants 
were collected and IL-6 was measured using R&D ELISA kit (Cat. #501030). **, p<0.001%, Student’s t-test. 
Combined, our preliminary data indicate that GLP-1R signaling induces IL-6 production by human leukocytes. 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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III. Objectives 
 
Specific Aim 1: Investigate IL-6 induction and AT browning upon incretin treatment. 
Hypothesis: GLP-1 analog signaling via GLP-1R induces IL-6 secretion by leukocytes. 
Specific Aim 1A: Investigate IL-6 induction and AT browning upon incretin therapy in prediabetic humans. 
Expected outcomes: Insulin resistance will decrease after long-term GLP-1 analog treatment. Long-term 
subcutaneous AT (SAT) browning will be detected by Oroboros and UCP1 expression measurement in biopsies as 
well as 18F-FDG uptake activity with PET-CT. AT leukocytes and circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells 
(PBMCs) will be established as the source of GLP-1-induced IL-6 secretion. 
Specific Aim 1B: Validate mice as a model to study incretin-induced IL-6 as a mediator of AT browning. 
Expected outcomes: Insulin resistance will decrease after long-term GLP-1 analog treatment in an insulin- 
resistant mouse model (WT DIO - wild type diet-induced obesity). AT browning will be observed long-term. AT 
leukocytes and circulating PBMCs will be established as the sources of GLP-1-induced transient IL-6 secretion. 
 
Specific Aim 2: Investigate the mechanisms of incretin-induced adipose tissue browning. 
Hypotheses: GLP-1 analog therapy induces adipose tissue browning via both direct GLP-1 / GLP-1R signaling and 
indirect incretin-induced IL-6 / IL-6R / STAT3 signaling. 
Specific Aim 2A: Investigate if GLP-1 analog effects on human beige adipogenesis depend on IL-6 signaling. 
Human WT, IL-6R KO and GLP-1R KO preadipocytes will be subjected to treatment with GLP-1 analog, IL-6, or 
blocking IL-6 antibody, in cell culture. 
Expected outcomes: IL-6 and GLP-1 signaling activation will synergize in inducing brown adipocyte 
differentiation. Brown adipogenesis will be less pronounced in IL-6R KO and GLP-1R KO than in WT cells. AT 
browning and incretin metabolic benefits will be reduced by a blocking IL-6 antibody co-administration during 
incretin treatment. 
Specific Aim 2B: Investigate if GLP-1 analog effects on beige adipogenesis depend on IL-6 signaling in mice. 
Activation of STAT3 prior to AT beiging in SAT of GLP-1 analog-treated mice will be analyzed. A blocking IL-6 
antibody injection will be used as an experimental intervention. 
Expected outcomes: GLP-1 analog treatment will result in transient activation of IL-6-dependent STAT3 in SAT, 
which will be reduced by a blocking IL-6 antibody co-administered during incretin treatment. 
 
These studies will delineate the novel link between GLP-1 and IL-6 signaling and its implications for AT browning. 
The mechanisms will serve as the basis for developing more targeted therapies for diabetes and obesity. 
Furthermore, revealing the effects of transient and chronic IL-6 signaling - a target of IL-6-blocking antibodies 
currently tested as therapeutics – may merit further clinical investigation. 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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• Visit #1 
(Screening) 
Washout x 3 
weeks, then Drug 
B x 6 weeks 
• Visits #2 
and #3 
• Visit #4 
and #5 
Drug A x 6 weeks 
Discharge from 
Study 
 
IV. Study Design 
 
Clinical studies: Our preliminary data and publications demonstrate our expertise (60-64). 
Design: Single center, crossover, inactive comparator-controlled prospective trial (Fig. 4). Each subject will 
participate in both study arms: Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 1000 mcg subcutaneous weekly x 6 weeks (“Drug 
A”) followed by dulaglutide (titrated to 1.5 mg subcutaneous (sc) weekly) x 6 weeks (“Drug B”). There will be a 
three-week washout period between study arms. 
Subjects: Twenty subjects (10 males and 10 females), 18-50 years old, with a BMI of ≤ 35 mg/kg2 and prediabetes 
(via expanded version of ADA criteria) will participate. Individuals receiving beta blockers, corticosteroids, 
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, diabetes medications (including incretin mimetics and thiazolidinediones), 
hormonal therapy, and immunosuppressive therapy over the last 2 months will be excluded (17). If subject takes 
thyroid medications, these must be dosed to control hypo- or hyperthyroidism. NSAIDS and/or antioxidant 
vitamins will be discontinued one week prior to study initiation. Subjects using antihypertensive medications 
(other than beta blockers) and lipid-lowering medications will remain on stable doses for the duration of the study. 
Other exclusions are significant cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease, pregnancy, lactation, current tobacco use, active 
malignancy, history of medullary thyroid cancer, history of pancreatitis, and history of diabetes. Women of 
childbearing age must agree to use a method of pregnancy prevention. 
Screening Visit (Visit #1): After subject consents to participation, we will perform a history, physical exam, and 
baseline lab tests to determine if subject qualifies for the study. A verbal consent will be done prior to this visit to 
see if subject consents to fasting (prior to screening visit) or if subject prefers to have fasting labs done before this 
visit. If subject qualifies, then subject will begin with the first study arm (cyanocobalamin; “Drug A”). 
Study Procedures: Visit #2: At 1-10 days after last dose of Drug A, subject will begin fasting at midnight of that 
day. Visit 2 must take place before Visit 3, and may be done in the morning or afternoon. Visit 2 may also be done 
on the same day as Visit 3 if Visit 2 is done in the morning. Subject will present to Radiology department at 8 am 
or 12 pm. At 9 am or 1pm, subject and study nurse will enter a room set to the temperature of 23˚ C (72˚ F) (65). 
Vital signs will be taken and an IV will be inserted. At 10 am or 2 pm, blood will be drawn for isolation of plasma 
and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and isotope tracer will be administered. Lab personnel will pick 
up the blood, which will be immediately transported to the laboratory for processing. At 11 am or 3 pm, subject 
will be taken to separate room to receive PET-CT (65). After completion of PET-CT, IV will be removed and subject 
will be discharged. As PET-CT suite is located in a separate building from Interventional Radiology (IR), the studies 
will be either on separate days, or on the same day if Visit #2 is done in the morning. 
Visit #3: One week after completing last dose of Drug A (±3 days, and after completing Visit #2), subject will 
undergo the same fasting as Visit #2. Subject will present to the Radiology department at 12 pm. At 1pm, subject 
will enter a room set to the temperature of 23˚ C (72˚ F). Vital signs will be taken and an IV will be inserted. The 
IV access is placed just in case patient experiences any adverse events requiring IV medication. At 3 pm, patient 
will go to IR receive CT-guided biopsy of supraclavicular adipose tissue under local anesthesia, as per previously 
described methods (66). Guidance from PET-CT 18F-FDG uptake (from prior visit) will be used to direct the 
procedure. About 100-200 mg of AT collected will be split 50/50 for immediate Oroboros analysis / subsequent 
fixation and for -80˚C storage. A small adhesive bandage will be placed over the biopsy incision, which subject can 
remove at home the following morning. A three-week washout period will occur after completion of Visit #3. Then 
subject begin next study medication (dulaglutide; “Drug B”) for another total 
duration of 6 weeks. 
Visit #4: Identical procedures to Visit #2 after Drug B 
Visit #5: Identical procedures to Visit #3 after Drug B. 
The only exception is that patient will take no more study 
medication, and will complete the study. 
Figure 4. Study 
flow chart 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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Recruitment and Screening: A successful telephone prescreen will be followed by a verbal consent to see if 
(potential) subject consents to fasting prior to outpatient screening visit, or if subject prefers to have fasting 
screening labs done before the screening visit. We will cover the costs of all screening labs. If labs done before 
screening visit show disqualification, then subject will be informed (and results will be mailed to subject) and 
outpatient screening visit will be cancelled. 
 
The prescreen process is followed by an outpatient screening visit (with the exception of prior disqualifying labs, 
as previously described). Completed consent procedures will be followed by a complete history and physical exam 
and blood draw while fasting for qualifying labs (complete metabolic panel, lipid panel, hemoglobin A1C, complete 
blood count, thyroid stimulating hormone, and urine pregnancy test (if applicable)). Subjects meeting inclusion 
criteria will be invited to participate in the trial. Participating subjects will be counseled on a weight-maintaining 
diet and instructed on study medication use. The PI will observe the subject self-inject first dose of study 
medication. Remainder of study medications will be administered at home by subject. 
 
Laboratory Methods: Subcutaneous AT (SAT) will be collected via needle biopsy and stored as described (67). 
PBMCs will be isolated immediately upon collection, via previously described methods (68) and then stored at - 
80˚ C until further studies. Analysis of AT biopsies by Oroboros and measure UCP1 expression, by 
immunofluorescence (IF) will be performed as we have reported (14). Both SAT and PBMCs, we will be subjected 
to IL-6 qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Plasma IL-6 will be measured via ELISA (R&D Systems). Other cytokines, 
including TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-11, and IL-13, will be measured by Luminex. Plasma insulin and GLP-1 will be 
measured via radioimmunoassay and plasma glucose will be measured with an automated glucose analyzer. Free 
fatty acids (FFAs) will be measured by using a quantification kit (Wako). 
 
Animal studies: The same methods will be used for studies SA 1B and 2B. Numerous publications demonstrate 
our expertise in methodology (69-75). We will analyze metabolism and AT composition in the experimental groups 
of mice placed on HFD at weaning and developing diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice after 4 months on HFD. The 
main variable in considering metabolic change will be the glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test 
(ITT) performed as described in our previous studies (69, 72, 74, 75). Body composition will be measured by Echo 
MRI; blood levels of glucose, insulin, and other key metabolites will be measured as described (69, 72, 74, 75). To 
analyze energy expenditure, indirect calorimetry will be performed with Oxymax CLAMS (Columbus Instruments) 
metabolic chambers as described (69, 72, 74). Food intake will be quantified over a 3-day time course at the same 
time. Core body temperature and spontaneous locomotor activity will be measured upon sc sensor implantation 
on the upper flank by using PDT-4000 G2 E-mitter sensors (MiniMitter, Responics). We will also measure cold 
tolerance/ adaptive thermogenesis by placing mice into environmental chamber as described (75). To assess AT 
composition, upon necropsy at the end of experiment, tissues will be recovered for IF, gene expression, and 
protein expression analyses. We routinely use all of these methods as reported (69, 72, 74, 75). 
 
As evident from our published (70-76) and preliminary data, we have a set of complementary methods to analyze 
AT composition and function. For mouse AT analysis, VAT (mesenteric, retroperitoneal and gonadal) and SAT 
(interscapular and inguinal) depots will be analyzed separately to establish possible site-specificity. For each 
sample, we will prepare whole mounts and 10% formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections for IF analyses. H/E 
histology and IF will be used to identify UCP1+ multilocular beige from unilocular UCP1- white adipocytes 
(Perilipin1+). Isolectin B4 staining will be used to identify EC. For IF, cells/tissues will be permeabilized with 0.3% 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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10 
 
 
Triton X-100 as needed, blocked, and then incubated with primary antibodies followed by fluorophore-labeled 
(Cy3 and Alexa-488) secondary antibodies. Nuclei will be stained with DAPI. Confocal microscopy will be 
performed using a Leica TCS SP5 microscope equipped with LAS AF software. Quantification will be performed 
by processing multiple microscopy fields with NIH IMAGE J software. Another portion of AT will be digested with 
collagenase-I / dispase and adipocytes will be separated by centrifugation. The remaining stromal/vascular cell 
suspension will be used to separate cell populations by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) as described 
with FACS Aria II / FlowJo software. Leukocytes will be isolated as CD45bright cells; EC as CD34dimCD31brightCD45- 
cells and adipocyte progenitors as CD34brightCD31-CD45- cells as described (70, 75). IgG clones we use are anti- 
CD34 MEC14.7, anti-CD31 MEC 13.3 and anti CD45 30-F11. 
 
Plasma IL-6 will be measured via ELISA. STAT3, NFkB, AKT, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and activation will be 
measured as we previously described (77). Immunoblotting with Phospho-Stat3 (Ser727) antibody 9134 as well as 
previously described Phospho-NFkB, Phospho-ERK1/2 and Phospho-AKT antibodies from Cell Signaling. Analysis 
of fixed mouse tissue or cultured cells will be performed as we previously described with optimized antibodies 
(70, 71, 73-76). LipidTox will be used to stain lipid droplets. For IF analysis, tissues will be permeabilized with 0.3% 
Triton X-100, blocked in serum-free Protein Block, incubated with primary antibodies, washed, and then incubated 
with fluorophore-labeled (Cy3 and Alexa-488) secondary antibodies. Nuclei will be visualized by DAPI staining. 
Confocal microscopy will be performed using a Leica TCS SP5 microscope equipped with LAS AF software. 
Quantification will be performed by processing multiple microscopy fields with NIH IMAGE J software. To further 
quantify the extent of AT beiging, protein extracts will be made from the banked snap-frozen tissue and analyzed 
by Western blotting. In addition, mRNA will be isolated and RT-qPCR analysis will be performed to measure the 
expression of beige AT markers Ucp1, Cidea, Pgc1α, and Tbx1 as routinely done in our laboratory (72, 75). 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
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V. Statistics/Outcomes 
 
Patients: SAT IL-6 mRNA (compared between dulaglutide and placebo treatments) will serve as the primary 
outcome variable. Assuming skewed distribution, we consider log-transformed IL6 mRNA (i.e., log(IL6 mRNA)) 
data for sample size calculation. With a correlation coefficient of 0.92 for log(IL6 mRNA) and common coefficient 
of variation of 0.9, power calculation given a sample size of n=20 shows that paired t-test with a 0.05 two-sided 
significance level will have 80% power to detect 1.2-fold difference (i.e., 20% increase) in IL-6 mRNA between two 
study arms. For all biochemical and molecular endpoints, we will conduct univariable and multivariable mixed 
effect regression models that account for within-subject correlations. All analyses will be performed primarily 
using widely available tools in SAS® version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC), at a significance level of 0.05. 
 
Animals: 
Based 
on 
power 
calculations 
(nQuery 
5.0), 
10 
mice 
will 
be 
used 
for 
each 
genotype/gender/treatment/control group to see a >25% difference with a power of 80 and p<0.05. Quantitative 
biochemical and molecular endpoints, such as gene and protein expression data, will be analyzed as continuous 
variables using the two-tailed Student's t test or a Mann-Whitney U test for pairwise comparison with P<0.05 
significance threshold. As needed, assistance will be received from the UTHealth Biostatistics / Epidemiology/ 
Research Design (BERD) Core. 
 
Specific Aim 1: Investigate IL-6 induction and AT browning upon incretin treatment. 
Hypothesis: GLP-1 analog signaling via GLP-1R induces IL-6 secretion by leukocytes. 
 
Specific Aim 1A: Investigate IL-6 induction and AT browning upon incretin therapy in prediabetic humans. 
Subjects will be treated with both dulaglutide and cyanocobalamin as described in Clinical studies. To test if GLP- 
1 analogs signal via GLP-1R to induce IL-6 secretion by leukocytes in humans, SAT and PBMCs will be collected 
after treatment, as described above for Clinical studies. To assess AT browning, we will measure oxygen 
consumption by Oroboros and UCP1 expression as we have reported (14) as shown in Figure 5. qRT-PCR will be 
used to measure IL-6 expression in SAT and PBMCs. ELISA will measure IL-6 levels in plasma. qRT-PCR will measure 
SAT browning via expression of UCP-1, PRDM16, NDUFS3, ARDRB1, ADRB2, and ADRB3. STAT3 in SAT and NFkB 
phosphorylation / activation in PBMCs will be measured by Western blotting. We will also perform IF on formalin- 
fixed paraffin-embedded AT sections to assess UCP-1 expression and IL-6 expression in M1 and M2 macrophages. 
To measure insulin /glucose tolerance, plasma will be measured for IL-6, free fatty acids, insulin, glucose, HOMA- 
IR, GLP-1, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-11, and IL-13. In vivo quantification of fat browning will be measured as 
standardized uptake value (SUV) from PET-CT 
 
To test if GLP-1 analog treatment results in transient IL-6R / STAT3 signaling activation and brown adipocyte 
differentiation, we will analyze biopsies of SAT collected from humans before and after treatment, as described 
in Clinical studies above. STAT3 phosphorylation will be assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. H/E histology 
and IF will be used to identify UCP1+ multilocular adipocytes as beige and unilocular UCP1-negative adipocytes as 
white. Perilipin-1 IF will be used to distinguish beige adipocytes from fibrotic areas (72). An example of analysis 
from our recent study (14) is shown in Figure 5. 
 
Figure 5. A: Human UCP1+ brown adipocytes identified by IF next 
to perilipin+UCP1- supraclavicular WAT. B: H&E staining showing 
that human beige adipocytes have multilocular lipid droplets. From 
Porter et al. 2016, Kolonin et al. 2016. 
 
 
Specific Aim 1B: Validate mice as a model to study incretin-induced IL-6 as a mediator of AT browning. 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
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Anti-diabetic efficacy of incretin mimetics has been reported in the mouse model and previously established for 
dulaglutide and liraglutide (28, 78, 80). Our preliminary data demonstrate that liraglutide 
injection results in rapid and transient increase in circulating IL-6 (Fig. 6). These data match 
clinical observations (Fig. 2) and indicate mice as a relevant model to study incretin effects. 
 
Figure 6. The effect of acute incretin mimetic therapy on plasma IL-6 levels in mice. Prediabetic overweight C57/B6 
females (n=3) were challenged with a single subcutaneous dose of Liraglutide (400mg/kg BW). Plasma was collected 
indicated time points after drug administration and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA. Note a dramatic increase in 
circulating IL-6 after 6 hrs (P<0.0001). 
1000 
 
800 
 
600 
 
400 
 
200 
 
0 
 
 
0 
2hr 
6hr 
24h 
Time after liraglutide injection 
 
To test if incretin mimetics signal via GLP-1R induce IL6 secretion in mice, diet-induced obesity (DIO) and pre- 
diabetic conditions will be induced by 4 months of feeding with high-fat-diet (HFD) 58 kcal % (fat) diet (Research 
Diets, D12331). Upon DIO induction, the following cohorts will be analyzed: 
 
Untreated (n=20, 10M / 10F) Liraglutide-treated (n=20, 10M / 10F) 
Liraglutide will be subcutaneously administered to mice for 6 weeks at 400 mcg/kg daily (28). Metabolic profiles 
of males and females will be separately compared before and after incretin mimetic therapy as described in 
Research Design and Methods. IL-6 levels in plasma will be measured by ELISA as shown in preliminary data (Fig. 
6). At endpoint, we will sacrifice mice and isolate various cell populations (leukocytes, EC and ASC) by FACS from 
PBMC and WAT (SAT and VAT). We will measure GLP-1R activity and IL-6 expression in them separately by qRT- 
PCR and Western blotting. Induction of pAKT, pNFkB, and pERK1/2 will serve as a readout of GLP-1R activation. IF 
will be used to detect pNFkB and IL-6 in M1 and M2 macrophages (76), as well as in EC, and other cells of WAT. 
 
We will analyze AT from necropsies of mice described in SA1B. H/E histology and IF will be used to identify UCP1+ 
multilocular adipocytes as beige and unilocular UCP1-negative adipocytes as white (Fig. 5). Perilipin-1 IF will be 
used to distinguish beige adipocytes from fibrotic areas (72). Mitotracker staining (identifying active mitochondria) 
will be used to confirm beige adipocyte identity (75). To test if incretin treatment results in signaling activation 
coupled with brown adipocyte differentiation, we will use immunoblotting as shown (Fig. 7). We will also analyze 
various cell populations (leukocytes, EC and ASC) isolated by FACS from AT. IL-6R signaling in them will be assessed 
in them based on STAT3 phosphorylation by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. IF will also be used to measure pSTAT3 
in ASC (adipocyte progenitors) and other WAT cells. 
 
Expected outcomes: Insulin resistance will decrease after long-term GLP-1 analog treatment in both prediabetic 
humans and insulin-resistant mice. AT leukocytes and PBMCs will be established as the sources of GLP-1-induced 
transient IL-6 secretion. AT browning (UCP1 expression) will be observed in subcutaneous AT (SAT) long-term. In 
vivo AT browning will be observed long-term via increased 18F-FDG uptake activity on PET-CT. 
Alternative Approaches: We expect to determine M1, M2 (or both) macrophages are the main source of IL-6. 
However, we will also explore other cell types as potential IL-6 sources. Regardless of whether IL-6 is confirmed 
as a mediator of incretin signaling, we will also consider a screen to identify other potential molecular players by 
also measuring plasma levels of IL-11, as well as IL-4, IL-10, TNFα and other cytokines, involved in inflammation. 
 
Specific Aim 2: Investigate the mechanisms of incretin-induced adipose tissue browning. 
Hypotheses: GLP-1 analog therapy induces adipose tissue browning via both direct GLP-1 / GLP-1R signaling and 
indirect incretin-induced IL-6 / IL-6R / STAT3 signaling. 
 
Specific Aim 2A: Investigate if GLP-1 analog effects on human beige adipogenesis depend on IL-6 signaling. 
Mouse IL6 
* 
pg/ml 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
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13 
 
 
 
We have derived adipocyte progenitors from both SAT and VAT of both lean and obese patients and have used 
them in adipogenesis studies (75). We will test if IL-6 / IL-6R and GLP-1 / GLP-1R signaling in adipocyte progenitors 
can directly induce brown adipogenesis. Our pilot data indicate that IL-6 does induce STAT3 phosphorylation (Fig. 
7-8). This signaling is predicted to favor brown adipogenesis, which will be tested at long-term 
time points during the clinical trial. 
Figure 7. Mouse immortalized brown pre-adipocytes (IBP), cultured in 50 nM insulin / 0.5 mM IBMX, 1 μM 
dexamethasone, 1 nM 3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine (T3) and 5μM rosiglitazone for 24 hr, were washed and cultured in 
DMEM containing 10% FBS supplemented with 500pg/ml of mIL-6 (R&D, Cat.# 406-ML/CF) and/or 100nM of 
Liraglutide for 6 and 24 hr. UCP-1 expression was measured by Western blotting. 
6hr 
24hr 
IL-6    -     - 
+ 
- 
+ 
Liraglutide    -     +     + 
+     + 
UCP-1 
β-Actin 
 
We will co-culture human preadipocytes with monocytes from PBMC to provide a physiological source of IL-6 
signaling in a paracrine fashion. Upon co-culture setup, cells will be treated with liraglutide concomitantly with 
adipogenesis induction. Using protocols we described previously (75), we will induce brown adipogenesis with 
50nM insulin / 0.5 mM IBMX, 1 μM dexamethasone, 1 nM 3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine and 5 μM rosiglitazone. Cell will 
be grown in 1.7 μM insulin post-induction (71, 72, 75). To test the dependency of brown adipogenesis on IL-6 
signaling, we will perform cell culture experiments with and without IL-6 added to the culture medium. We will 
also knock-out IL-6R in human ASC used for adipocyte differentiation in these studies. For this, we will use the 
CRISPR/Cas9 technology as in our previous studies (79). sgRNAs will be selected and Cas9n vectors will be used as 
described (75). Expression of brown adipogenesis markers will be assessed by IF and 
immunoblotting for UCP1 as described above (Fig. 5, 7). 
5 
Figure 8. Human subcutaneous pre-adipocytes were seeded at 5×10 
cells/well of 10% FBS DMEM 
medium onto a 12-well plate. After 24 h, medium was removed and the cells were washed with 1XPBS. 
The cells were maintained in 1% FBS DMEM overnight. The cells were treated with 20ng/ml of human 
IL-6 at the indicated time points, then were lysed in RIPA buffer. Western blot analyses were performed 
by standard methods using antibodies against pStat3 and beta-Actin. 
 
Specific Aim 2B: Investigate if GLP-1 analog effects on beige adipogenesis depend on IL-6 signaling in mice. 
To test if the AT browning and anti-diabetic effects of incretin mimetics are mediated by IL6 in mice, DIO and 
pre-diabetic conditions will be induced by 4 months of feeding with high-fat-diet (HFD) 58 kcal % (fat) diet 
(Research Diets, D12331). Upon DIO induction and liraglutide / IL-6 antibody treatment, the following cohorts 
will be analyzed: IL-6 antibody-treated (n=20, 10M / 10F) Liraglutide / IL-6 antibody-treated (n=20, 10M / 10F) 
 
Metabolic profiles of males and females will be separately compared in DIO mice before and after incretin 
mimetic therapy. Liraglutide will be subcutaneously administered for 6 weeks at 400 mcg/kg daily (28) 
A blocking IL-6 antibody (Tocilizumab) will be concurrently administered at 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally weekly for 
six doses (56, 80) concomitantly with liraglutide. Activation of STAT3 in SAT of GLP-1 analog-treated mice will be 
analyzed as described above. 
 
Expected outcomes: IL-6 and GLP-1 signaling activation will synergize in inducing brown adipocyte 
differentiation. Brown adipogenesis will be less pronounced in IL-6R KO and GLP-1R KO than in WT cells. AT 
browning and incretin metabolic benefits will be reduced by a blocking IL-6 antibody co-administration during 
incretin treatment. In mice, GLP-1 analog treatment will result in transient activation of IL-6-dependent STAT3 in 
SAT, which will be reduced by a blocking IL-6 antibody co-administered during incretin treatment. 
 
Alternative Approaches: In addition to treating human preadipocytes with liraglutide or IL-6 separately, we will 
also use their combination treatment to determine a possible synergy. Because STAT3 is activated by many 
signaling pathways, we will also analyze other signaling mediators (STAT1 and MAPK) to confirm that IL-6R 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
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14 
 
 
signaling is indeed activated. For the mouse study, we will also analyze signaling in skeletal muscle and other 
organs (pancreas, liver, brain) to assess signaling changes. 
VI. Study Population 
 
Subjects: Twenty subjects (ten males and ten females), 18-50 years old, with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 and prediabetes 
(via expanded version of American Diabetes Association criteria) will participate in this study. Anticipating a 25% 
drop out rate, we will recruit 26 subjects. Each subject will participate in both study arms. 
 
Inclusion criteria: 
1. Men and women, ages 18-50 years 
2. Diagnosis of Prediabetes - defined as either impaired fasting glucose (fasting glucose of 100-125 mg/dL), 
impaired glucose tolerance (2-hour postprandial blood glucose of 140-199 mg/dL after 75-gram oral 
glucose challenge), and/or a hemoglobin A1C ranging from 5.5% to 6.4%. 
3. BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 
4. Women of childbearing age must agree to use an acceptable method of pregnancy prevention (barrier 
methods, abstinence, oral contraception, vaginal rings, long-acting reversible contraceptives, or surgical 
sterilization) for the duration of the study 
5. Patients must have the following laboratory values: Hematocrit ≥ 33 vol%, estimated glomerular 
filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, AST (SGOT) < 2.5 times ULN, ALT (SGPT) < 2.5 times ULN, alkaline 
phosphatase < 2.5 times ULN 
6. If patients are receiving antihypertensive medications (other than beta blockers) and/or lipid-lowering 
medications, they must remain on stable doses for the duration of the study. 
7. If patients are receiving NSAIDs or antioxidant vitamins, these must be discontinued one week prior to 
study initiation and cannot be restarted during the study. 
8. If patient takes thyroid medications, these must be dosed to control hypo- or hyperthyroidism. 
 
Exclusion Criteria: 
1. History of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus 
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding women 
3. Medications: Beta blockers, corticosteroids, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, diabetes medications 
(including incretin mimetics and thiazolidinediones), and/or immunosuppressive therapy over the last 2 
months. 
4. Uncontrolled hypo- or hyperthyroidism 
5. Current tobacco use 
6. Active malignancy 
7. History of clinically significant cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease. 
8. History of any serious hypersensitivity reaction to study medications, any other incretin mimetic, any 
other formulation of supplemental vitamin B12, and/or cobalt 
9. Personal or family history of Leber hereditary optic nerve atrophy 
10. Prisoners or subjects who are involuntarily incarcerated 
11. Compulsorily detention for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (e.g., infectious disease) illness 
12. Prior history of pancreatitis, medullary thyroid cancer, or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) 
13. Serum vitamin B12 level above the upper limit of assay detection 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
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15 
 
 
 
 
VII. Study Procedures 
 
Table 1: Time and Event Schedule for Protocol Procedures 
Procedure 
Visit 1 
(Screening) 
Visit 2 
Visit 3 
Visit 4 
Visit 5 
Obtain Informed Consent 
X 
Confirm Eligibility 
X 
Medical History 
X 
Concomitant 
Medications 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Physical Examination 
X 
Vital Signs 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Pregnancy Test (if applicable) 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
applicable) 
X 
CMP – including FPG, LFTs, serum 
creatinine 
X 
Lipid panel 
X 
HbA1C 
X 
CBC 
X 
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) 
X 
Vitamin B12 
X 
Plasma IL-6 (Interleukin-6) 
X 
X 
Plasma FFA (free fatty acids) 
X 
X 
Other plasma cytokines ( TNF-α, IL-4, 
IL-10, IL-11, and IL-13) 
X 
X 
Plasma Glucose 
X 
X 
Plasma Insulin 
X 
X 
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell 
(PBMC) isolation 
X 
X 
18F-FDG-PET/CT 
X 
Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Biopsy 
X 
X 
Targeted Noncontrast CT 
X 
X 
Assess for Adverse Events 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Supply Study Medication to Patient 
(for home use) 
X 
X 
 
Subject recruitment: Participants will be recruited via IRB-approved advertisements in the press and in our 
clinics, as well as IRB-approved UT Physicians All Scripts search. Prior to beginning the study, all potential 
subjects will be prescreened for the above criteria via a telephone interview. If a subject meets prescreening 
criteria, he or she will be invited to participate in an hour-long outpatient screening visit. 
 
After prescreening and prior to screening visit, subjects will be asked 1) whether or not they verbally consent to 
fasting laboratories to be performed before the screening visit, or 2) whether or not they verbally consent to 
fasting laboratories to be done during the screening visit. Verbal response will be documented on a limited verbal 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
Version 8.0 – 8/04/2022, revised 11/21/22, 2nd revision 3/23/23 
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consent form. We will follow FDA guidance during the consent process (82). It preferred that fasting laboratories 
be collected before anticipated screening visit, as many subjects will screen out of the study with these alone. We 
will cover the costs of all screening labs. If labs done before screening visit show disqualification, then subject will 
be informed (and results will be mailed to subject) and outpatient screening visit will be cancelled. If subject 
prefers to wait until screening, fasting is preferred but not required for day of screening visit. 
 
Study Design: Single center, crossover, inactive comparator-controlled prospective trial (Fig. 4). Each subject will 
participate in both study arms: Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 1000 mcg subcutaneous weekly x 6 weeks (“Drug 
A”) followed by dulaglutide (titrated to 1.5 mg subcutaneous (sc) weekly) x 6 weeks (“Drug B”). There will be a 
three-week washout period between study arms. 
 
Study Procedures: 
 
Visit #1 (Screening Visit): The nature and the risks of the procedures, and the amount of financial remuneration 
for participating in the study will be discussed with each subject prior to obtaining written informed consent. All 
subjects who consent to participate will undergo a complete history and physical exam and receive a blood draw 
(for laboratory analysis) in the fasting state (i.e. blood draw can be done at the outpatient visit, or at a later 
time) to verify inclusion and exclusion criteria. If subject already obtained any of the required screening blood 
labs at an accredited laboratory during the 2 months prior to the screening visit, then it is not necessary to 
repeat those labs. Alternatively, subject may also obtain labs after the screening visit via another physician’s 
order, if using an accredited laboratory (e.g., labs may be obtained by subject’s primary care physician at 
another accredited laboratory). Qualified subjects will be invited to participate in the clinical trial. 
 
Only subjects who give their written informed consent will take part in these studies. This will be obtained by 
the investigators in conjunction with research staff associated with the project. A subject may withdraw at any 
time without prejudice. 
 
Clinical trial participants (determined after successful screening visit) will begin with cyanocobalamin 1000 mcg 
(“Drug A”) subcutaneous weekly x 6 weeks , followed by minimum of 3 week washout, followed by 2) 
dulaglutide (“Drug B”) – beginning at 0.75 mg sc weekly x 2 weeks, then 1.5 mg weekly x 4 weeks (for a 
combined total 6 weeks of treatment). 
 
Qualified subjects will then have a brief appointment at the Endocrinology Clinic at UT Physicians Professional 
Building (6th floor) to pick up the first set of study medications. Parking validation will be given for this 
appointment. 
 
Visit #2: At 1-10 days after last dose of Drug A, subject will begin fasting at midnight of that day. Visit 2 must 
take place before Visit 3, and may be done in the morning or afternoon. Visit 2 may also be done on the same 
day as Visit 3 if Visit 2 is done in the morning. Subject will present to Radiology department at 8 am or 12 pm. At 
9 am or 1pm, subject and study nurse will enter a room set to the temperature of 23˚ C (72˚ F) (65). Vital signs 
will be taken and an IV will be inserted. At 10 am or 2 pm, blood will be drawn for isolation of plasma and 
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and isotope tracer will be administered. Lab personnel will pick up 
the blood, which will be immediately transported to the laboratory for processing. At 11 am or 3 pm, subject will 
be taken to separate room to receive PET-CT (65). After completion of PET-CT, IV will be removed and subject 
will be discharged. 
 
Visit #3: One week after completing last dose of Drug A (±3 days, and after completing Visit #2), subject will 
undergo the same fasting as Visit #2. At 12 pm, subject will present to our Department of Radiology, where 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
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17 
 
 
he/she will check in and change into a hospital gown. At 1pm, subject will enter a room set to the temperature 
of 23˚ C (72˚ F). If applicable, a urine pregnancy test will be collected and analyzed. Vital signs will be taken and 
an IV will be inserted. The IV access is placed just in case patient experiences any adverse events requiring IV 
medication. Subject will stay in room for 2 hours. At 3 pm, patient will go to IR receive CT-guided biopsy of 
supraclavicular adipose tissue under local anesthesia, as per methods described below. Guidance from PET-CT 
(from prior visit) will be used to guide the procedure. About 100-200 mg of tissue will be collected, which will be 
immediately stored at -80˚C by our lab personnel. A small adhesive bandage will be placed over biopsy site 
(which subject can remove the next day). 
 
A minimum of a three-week washout period will occur after completion of Visit #2. Then subject subjects will 
then have a brief appointment at the Endocrinology Clinic at UT Physicians Professional Building (6th floor) to 
pick up Drug B, also to be taken for a total duration of 6 weeks. Parking validation will be given for this 
appointment. 
 
Visit #4: Identical procedures to Visit #2 after Drug B. 
 
Visit #5: Identical procedures to Visit #3 after Drug B. The only exception is that patient will take no more study 
medication, and will complete the study. 
 
Compensation: We will compensate participants for their time in participating in screening and study visit. 
Participants will be compensated $40 for the screening visit (Visit #1), regardless of whether or not they qualify 
for the clinical trial. Visits #2 and #4 will be compensated at $75 per visit. Visits #3 and #5 will be compensated 
at $200 per visit. The maximum potential compensation for each subject is $590. 
 
To maximize retention and monitor for adverse events, subjects will be contacted approximately every 3 weeks 
by research personnel to verify medication adherence, ask about potential adverse events, and answer any 
questions or concerns raised by the subject. 
 
The PI will retain, in a confidential manner, all private identifiable information collected during these 
procedures. All information will be recorded in file folders and binders, which will be stored in the Clinical 
Research Unit in locked, secure cabinets which will only be accessible to the PI and his team. 
 
Research Procedures in Detail: 
 
Blood sample collection and processing 
 
For the screening visit (or prior to screening visit if subject verbally consents), two tablespoons of blood will be 
drawn and analyzed immediately by our affiliated vendor (Quest Diagnostics). During Visit #2 and Visit #4 (see 
above), three tablespoons of blood will be drawn at each time point, making for a total of 12 tablespoons per 
Study Visit. For plasma markers, whole blood will be centrifuged to separate serum from plasma; then plasma 
will be separated and stored in labeled plastic screw-cap vials and stored as described below. 
 
For peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), there is a specific isolation technique. Blood samples will be 
collected in EDTA tubes and layered on a density gradient cell separation medium. Samples will be centrifuged 
serially to yield a pellet of mononuclear cells, and stored as described below. 
 
Serum and plasma specimens, and PBMCs will be stored in a -80 degrees C freezer for no more than 6 years. 
Samples are stored while waiting processing. Any unused sample may be used for future studies if the subject 


Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD 
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consents to this. The freezer will be locked an accessible only to the PI and his team. 
18F-FDG-PET/CT 
 
At 1 pm, subject and study nurse will enter a room set to the aforementioned temperature of 23˚ C (72˚ F). An 
intravenous line (IV) will be inserted. One hour later, a bolus injection of 185 MBq of 2-deoxy-2- 
[18F]fluoroglucose (18F-FDG) was will be administered to the study subject. One hour later, images will be 
obtained using a multidetector helical PET–CT scanner. Tissue is classified as brown adipose tissue (BAT) in each 
axial slice on a pixel-by-pixel basis as follows: when CT is in the range of -250 to -10 Hounsfield Units and when 
the Standard Uptake Value (activity in MBq per unit pixel volume of 64 μL within the region of interest 
(supraclavicular region) divided by the injected dose in MBq per body mass in g) was ≥ 1.5 (SUV*g/mL). Although 
a ratio of two activities, the denominators are different, so the SUV therefore has the units of “SUV*g/mL”: [SUV 
*(mCi/mL)/(mCi/g)  SUV*g/mL]. BAT activity in each pixel is defined as the product of the volume of BAT in mL 
and its mean SUV (mL*SUVmean*g/mL). After completion of imaging study, the IV will be removed and patient 
will be discharged. This is similar to the protocols described by Cypess et al. 2015, and by Chondronikola et al. 
2015. 
 
Adipose tissue sample collection and processing 
 
During each Visit #3 and Visit #5, we will take 100-200 mg of subcutaneous supraclavicular adipose tissue a 6- 
mm Bergström needle. Compared to other adipose tissue stores, supraclavicular adipose tissue contains the 
highest amount of brown adipose tissue (Leitner B et al. 2017). 
 
Subjects will be taken to a CT procedure room to receive noncontrast scout CT images of the lower neck, for 
visualization of the supraclavicular area anatomy. Using major anatomical landmarks, the interventional 
radiologist will identify the location of the supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (BAT) depot in the CT images 
corresponding to the BAT in the PET/CT scan. If no BAT is visualized, then the interventional radiologist will plan 
for a white adipose tissue biopsy in the same area. The skin over the area of the biopsy will be cleaned using 
chlorhexidine and covered with a sterile drape. Approximately 5 mL of 2% lidocaine will be injected in the 
dermis of the biopsy site and in the subcutaneous adipose tissue depot. The injection will be advanced in the 
targeted adipose tissue area and an additional noncontrast CT scan will be performed to ensure the correct 
placement of the needle at the biopsy site, avoiding any adjacent superficial veins. The interventional radiologist 
will determine the depth of the adipose of the adipose tissue deposit and plan for the advancement of the 
biopsy needle. 
 
Afterwards, an incision (<1 cm) will be made the skin using a scalpel and a 6-mm Bergström needle will be 
inserted through the incision and advanced into the supraclavicular adipose tissue depot. After proper 
positioning of the needle, the nurse will apply suction using a 60 ml syringe and a suction catheter. Bacitracin 
ointment will be applied to the top of the inner cannula to maintain suction and avoid leakage of air between 
the needle and the inner cannula. The needle will be rotated 180° and the target depot will be sampled. Up to 
three attempts will be made to obtain tissue. After procedure is completed, the radiologist or nurse will apply 
manual compression for 3–5 min to minimize bleeding. A small adhesive bandage will be placed over the 
incision, which you can remove at home the next morning. Participant can also shower with the bandage while 
at home. The duration of the procedure is approximately 30–40 minutes. This is similar to the protocol 
described by Chondronikola M et al. 2015. 
 
Freshly obtained subcutaneous (sc) adipose tissue will be preserved in RNAlater or embedded in optimal cutting 
temperature (OCT) and stored at -80°C until further analyses. Some sc adipose tissue will be cut further into 
smaller pieces, rinsed in cold phosphate buffered saline (PBS), fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 hours and 


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then embedded in paraffin. 
 
The subject will be instructed to inspect the wound daily, and inform the study team if you experience bleeding 
or worsening redness, pain, or discomfort. 
 
Previously Collected Biospecimens: not applicable to this study. 
 
Potential Risks 
 
There are minimal risks to the study participants, as we will only add one medication to the treatment regimen. 
The invasive procedures proposed also pose minimal risks. 
 
Blood draws and IV placement: For blood draws (related to screening visit), the principal risk is hematoma at 
the venipuncture site, which is not serious and disappears after several days. Phlebotomists and nurses drawing 
blood will be trained in venipuncture techniques to minimize extravasation. 
 
The insertion of the peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter, during Visit #2 and Visit #4, may cause some 
discomfort, lightheadedness, fainting, bruising, clotting and/or bleeding from the site of the needle stick and, in 
rare cases, infection. A trained nurse will insert and remove the catheter at appropriate times. 
 
Medication: Six weeks of dulaglutide and six weeks of cyanocobalamin – per dosing schedule described above – 
will be given to each subject as per study protocol. 
 
Dulaglutide: Likely and not serious adverse reactions (10-20% of subjects) are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 
Less likely, non-serious adverse reactions (1-10% of subjects) are dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, hypoglycemia, 
and injection site erythema and pruritus. A serious and rare adverse reaction (<1%) is acute pancreatitis. 
Subjects with prior history of pancreatitis, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and/or MEN2 are excluded from the 
study. 
 
Cyanocobalamin: Water soluble vitamins, including B vitamins, can generally be tolerated at high doses, with 
toxicity occurring only at doses thousands of times the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) (81). Likely and 
not serious adverse reactions (10-20% of subjects) are headaches and mild loss of strength. Less likely, non- 
serious adverse reactions (1-10% of subjects) are paresthesias, nausea, rhinitis, and injection site erythema. 
Subjects with the following characteristics will be excluded: Vitamin B12 levels beyond the upper limit of assay 
detection, hypersensitivity reactions to B12 supplementation and/or cobalt, and personal or family history of 
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (which can be exacerbated by B12 supplementation). 
 
If the subject experiences any adverse reaction from medication, he or she will contact the PI (who is a licensed 
and practicing clinical endocrinologist). The PI will direct the patient to the appropriate medical care and decide 
whether or not the patient may continue study participation. In the case of an emergency, the patient will be 
directed to a nearby Emergency Department. 
 
18F-FDG-PET/CT: During each Visit #1 and Visit #3, we will obtain PET-CT, as per protocol described above. An IV 
contrast load (185 MBq of 18F-FDG) will be given one hour prior to obtaining images, as described above. 
Because the dose of radiotracer administered is small, there is a relatively low radiation exposure to the patient. 
Nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures (including PET-CT) have been used for more than five decades, and 
there are no known long-term adverse effects from such low-dose exposure. Allergic reactions to 
radiopharmaceuticals may occur but are extremely rare and are usually mild. Injection of the radiotracer may 


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cause slight pain and redness which should rapidly resolve within a few days. As these procedures are not safe 
during pregnancy, a urine pregnancy test will be collected on the day of the exam (only in female subjects of 
childbearing potential), to ensure there is no pregnancy prior to participation. 
 
CT Imaging: Targeted noncontrast CT images will be obtained during the supraclavicular adipose tissue biopsies 
on Visit #3 and Visit #5, as described above.  There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure 
to radiation. However, this is less likely given the small doses used in this protocol. No contrast dye will be used 
for these CT images. As these procedures are not safe during pregnancy, a urine pregnancy test will be collected 
on the day of the exam (only in female subjects of childbearing potential), to ensure there is no pregnancy prior 
to participation. 
 
Supraclavicular Adipose Tissue Biopsies: During each Visit #3 and Visit #5, we will obtain 100-200 mg of 
subcutaneous supraclavicular adipose tissue, as per protocol described above. Risks and side effects related to 
these biopsies are as follows: 
 
Less likely and not serious: 
• 
Bleeding and/or bruising and/or mild swelling at site of biopsy. As the incision is small (less than 1 cm), 
participants will not require sutures. A small adhesive bandage will be placed over the incision, which can be 
removed the next morning. If there is any swelling or bruising, it usually goes away with rest after a few days, 
although sometimes it may take a week. The bruising is helped by using hot packs. 
 
Rare and Serious: 
• 
Rarely, bleeding from a subcutaneous biopsy may be severe enough to require hospitalization. 
• 
Very rarely, some subjects may experience numbness or tingling at the biopsy site. This is usually 
temporary and goes away in a few days. 
• 
There is a small risk of infection at the site of the muscle biopsy. Infections can be usually treated 
effectively with oral antibiotics. 
• 
Allergic reactions to the local anesthetic we use for the muscle biopsy are extremely rare, but could 
include a skin sore, swelling, or hives. 
 
Safety Measures: 
• 
The subject will be instructed to inspect the wound daily, and inform the study team if 
he or she experiences bleeding or worsening redness, pain, or discomfort. 
 
Screening measures: Subjects may experience discomfort or embarrassment about answering questions about 
their medical history. The probability of these events is generally low. We will monitor these situations and 
provide support if needed. Such events will be documented fully in the case records. 
Confidentiality: There is potential risk to subjects for a breach in confidentiality of identifying information 
and/or private data. Confidentiality risks are low given our measures to protect confidentiality (see below). 
Alternatives: The only alternative is to not take part in this study. 


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VIII. Data and Safety Monitoring for Adverse Events 
 
During the course of the study, trained research staff supervised directly by the PI will monitor participants. The 
study coordinator and data analysts will meet weekly with the PI (and/or appropriate co-investigators), to 
review data and study issues including data analysis, recruitment, and confidentiality. 
 
In the event of identification of a previously unknown adverse outcome, the research staff will immediately 
communicate to the PI, who will determine whether the patient should be referred to the emergency room or 
follow up with primary care physician. This information will also be communicated immediately to the IRB. If 
changes to the protocol become necessary to ensure continued confidentiality measures, or to ensure the level 
of risk associated with this study, the IRB will be notified immediately, and these modifications will be addressed 
for review and approval as quickly as possible. Except for adverse events or modifications, a summary of study 
progress will be forwarded to the IRB with the annual renewal application. 
 
Monitoring Adverse Events 
 
All adverse events, including those that are serious, will be graded by the investigator as follows: 
• 
Mild (Grade 1): awareness of event but easily tolerated 
• 
Moderate (Grade 2): discomfort enough to cause some interference with usual activity 
• 
Severe (Grade 3): inability to carry out usual activity 
• 
Very Severe (Grade 4): debilitating; significantly incapacitates subject despite symptomatic therapy. 
 
The following categories and definitions of causal relationship to a study medication or procedure as determined 
by a physician will be used: 
• 
Related: There is a reasonable causal relationship to study medication administration and the adverse 
event. 
• 
Not Related: There is not a reasonable causal relationship to study medication administration and the 
adverse event. 
 
The expression “reasonable causal relationship” is meant to convey in general that there are facts (e.g., evidence 
such as de-challenge/re-challenge) or other arguments to suggest a positive causal relationship. 
 
Collection and Reporting 
 
Adverse events can be spontaneously reported or elicited during open-ended questioning, examination, or 
evaluation of a subject. To prevent reporting bias, subjects should not be questioned regarding the specific 
occurrence of one or more adverse events. 
 
If known, the diagnosis of the underlying illness or disorder should be recorded, rather than its individual 
symptoms. The following information will be captured for all AEs: onset, duration, intensity, seriousness, 
relationship to investigational product, action taken, and treatment required. If treatment for the event was 
administered, it will be recorded in the medical record. The investigator will supply the IRB with any additional 
information requested, notably for reported deaths of subjects. 
 
Serious Adverse Events 


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Following the subject’s written consent to participate in the study, all SAEs, whether related or not related to 
study drug and/or procedures, will be collected, including those thought to be associated with protocol- 
 
specified procedures. All SAEs must be collected that occur during the screening period and within 30 days of 
discontinuation of medication dosing. If applicable, SAEs must be collected that relate to any later protocol- 
specified procedure. The investigator will report any SAE occurring after these time periods that is believed to be 
related to study drug or protocol-specified procedure. 
 
An SAE report will be completed for any event where doubt exists regarding its status of seriousness. If the 
investigator believes that an SAE is not related to study drug and/or procedure but is potentially related to the 
conditions of the study (such as withdrawal of previous therapy, or a complication of a study procedure), the 
relationship will be specified in the narrative section of the SAE Report Form. 
 
All SAEs, whether related or unrelated to study medications, and all pregnancies will be reported to the 
University of Texas (UT) Health Sciences Center at Houston IRB within 24 hours of study personnel becoming 
aware of the event. If only limited information is initially available, follow-up reports are required. The original 
SAE form must be kept on file at the study site. 
 
All SAEs will be reported to the UT Health Sciences Center at Houston IRB. 
 
Safety Monitoring 
 
The PI and his team will monitor the study at each visit. All treatment-emergent AEs will be recorded on source 
documents (i.e. original documents, data, and records). AEs include those reported spontaneously by the subject 
and those noted incidentally or as observed by the investigator or study personnel. All clinically significant 
abnormalities noted upon physical examination, or other diagnostic test results will be reported as an AE, except 
for baseline measurements that may be considered part of the medical history. In addition, all clinically 
significant AEs that continue at Study Termination will be followed up by the investigator and evaluated with 
additional tests if necessary, until the underlying cause is diagnosed or resolution occurs. All AEs will be 
evaluated for intensity and causal relationship with use of the study medication and/or study procedures by the 
investigator and reported to the UT Health Sciences Center at Houston IRB. All SAEs will be reported to the UT 
Health Sciences Center at Houston IRB and the sponsor within 24 hours. In addition, a safety report will be 
submitted to the IRB annually. Any new information regarding the safety of dulaglutide will be submitted the 
IRB. 


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IX. Adequacy of Protection Against Risks 
 
A. Informed Consent and Assent 
At the initial screening visit, if the subjects choose to participate, informed consent forms specific to this project 
will be administered and signed as specified by the IRB. The informed consent form will specify the purpose of 
the study, the procedures, potential risks and benefits, and the ability to leave the study at any time without 
prejudice. 
The investigators will ensure that subjects are clearly and fully informed about the purpose, potential risks, and 
other critical issues regarding clinical studies in which they volunteer to participate. Freely given, written 
informed consent must be obtained from every subject before clinical study participation, including informed 
consent for any screening procedures conducted to establish subject eligibility for the study. Persons who are 
not able to consent will not participate in this study. 
Investigators must: 
1) 
Provide a copy of the consent form and written information about the study in the language in which 
the subject is most proficient prior to clinical study participation. The language must be non-technical and easily 
understood. 
2) 
Allow time necessary for the subject to inquire about the details of the study. 
3) 
Obtain an informed consent signed and personally dated by the subject and by the person who 
conducted the informed consent discussion. 
4) 
Obtain the IRB’s written approval/favorable opinion of the written informed consent form and any other 
information to be provided to the subjects, prior to the beginning of the study, and after any revisions are 
completed for new information. 
5) 
Revise the informed consent whenever important new information becomes available that is relevant to 
the subject's consent. The investigator, or a person designated by the investigator, should fully inform the 
subject of all pertinent aspects of the study and of any new information relevant to the subject's willingness to 
continue participation in the study. This communication should be documented. 
The rights, safety, and well-being of the study subjects are the most important considerations and should prevail 
over interests of science and society. 
 
B. Protections Against Risk 
 
Screening - Staff are well trained in interviewing procedures and techniques with patient subjects to minimize 
embarrassment about questions. Strict informed consent procedures will allow the subjects to understand the 
procedures, potential risks and benefits, and the ability to leave the study at any time without prejudice. 
 
Study Procedures 
 
Blood draws: Phlebotomists and nurses drawing blood will be trained in venipuncture techniques to minimize 
extravasation. For the use of a peripheral intravenous line, a trained nurse will insert and remove the catheter at 
appropriate times. Any complications arising from procedures will be reported to the study PI, who is a licensed 
and practicing clinician. The PI will make the determination regarding the appropriate course of care, and 
whether or not the patient may continue study participation. 
 
Medication: If the subject experiences any adverse reactions from the study medication, he or she will contact 
the PI, who is a licensed and practicing clinician. The PI will direct the patient to the appropriate medical care 
and decide whether or not the patient may continue study participation. In the case of an emergency, the 


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patient will be directed to a nearby Emergency Department. 
 
18F-FDG-PET/CT: An experienced nuclear medicine physician (who is also a study Co-Investigator) and nurse will 
conduct these procedures (including administration of intravenous contrast load). For the use of a peripheral 
intravenous line, a trained nurse will insert and remove the catheter at appropriate times. Any complications 
arising from these procedures will be reported to the study PI and nuclear medicine Co-Investigator, who are 
both licensed and practicing clinicians. The PI will make the determination regarding the appropriate course of 
care, and whether or not the patient may continue study participation. 
 
CT Imaging and Supraclavicular Adipose Tissue Biopsies: An experienced interventional radiologist (who is also a 
study Co-Investigator) and nurse will conduct these procedures. Any complications arising from these 
procedures will be reported to the study PI and interventional radiology Co-Investigator, who are both licensed 
and practicing clinicians. The PI will make the determination regarding the appropriate course of care, and 
whether or not the patient may continue study participation. 
 
Incidental Findings: If any incidental findings – including those which impact a patient’s health - are found from 
any of the above procedures, the PI will notify the patient immediately. The patient will be referred to primary 
care physician and/or appropriate specialty physician to address the incidental findings in a timely manner. The 
PI will make the determination whether or not the patient may continue study participation. The patient’s 
safety will be prioritized above all other considerations. 
 
Women of Childbearing Potential: Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must use an acceptable method 
of birth control (as in inclusion/exclusion criteria) during the course of the study, in such a manner that the risk 
of failure is minimized. Urine pregnancy testing will be done at screening at during all study visits. 
 
All WOCBP MUST have a negative urine pregnancy test before receiving any study medications or study 
procedures. A urine pregnancy test will be done at the beginning of each study day. If the urine pregnancy test is 
positive, the subject must not receive the study medication or any study procedures that day. The subject must 
see her primary care physician or OB/GYN physician for further evaluation. If pregnancy is confirmed by this 
medical provider, the subject will be discontinued from the study. If the medical provider determines that the 
subject is not pregnant, the subject may be allowed to resume the study on a later date if there is minimal 
deviation from study protocol; otherwise subject will be discontinued from the study. 
 
In addition, all WOCBP will be instructed to contact the investigator and/or other study personnel immediately if 
they suspect they might be pregnant (e.g., missed or late menstrual period) at any time during study 
participation. 
 
If, following initiation of the study medication, it is subsequently discovered that a study subject is pregnant or 
may have been pregnant at the time of study medication exposure, including at least 6 half-lives after 
medication administration, the subject will be discontinued from the study. The subject must establish or 
continue care with a qualified primary care or OB/GYN physician. The protocol-specific duration of exposure to 
the study medication is not expected to have a significant impact on a pregnancy, but the pregnancy should be 
monitored by the above medical provider. 
 
The PI must immediately notify the IRB in accordance with established reporting procedures. 
 
Confidentiality: This potential risk will be minimized by careful medical evaluations and procedures, regular 
monitoring of subjects' clinical status, careful screening of subjects, and well-defined procedures for maintaining 


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confidentiality. The clinical information obtained from subjects will be part of their study records and 
 
maintained at UT in a facility with adequate safeguards for the protection of confidentiality. The research data 
will be collected and recorded using only arbitrary code numbers for identification, in order to safeguard the 
confidentiality. All data will be kept in a secure area. Only the members of the research group will have access to 
the data files or to the master list for the codes. For publication purposes, the patients will be designated only by 
codes. Our research team is in compliance with all HIPPA privacy guidelines. 
 
Strict confidentiality will be maintained with the use of the subjects' records and files (in accordance with 
federal, state, and UT Health policies and procedures). Following the required retention period, hard copy data 
or research records will be destroyed. Electronic, password-protected databases will be maintained. Data will be 
identified by study code and will not contain personal identifiers. UT Health policy specifies that all research 
records must be retained for a minimum of 7 years following study completion. Research interviews and related 
procedures will be conducted in private and research staffs are schooled in issues of confidentiality and sign a 
confidentiality statement. All personal information is kept in locked cabinets/offices separate from the data. 
Research data will be maintained in charts, identified by subject ID only. All data will be stored in locked files. 
Data being analyzed will be recorded and identified by subject code. Only members of the investigative group 
will have access to secured files or to master lists for subject code numbers and will be well educated regarding 
the protection of patients’ rights to confidentiality. Only personnel involved in the study will have access to 
research records. Any items requiring names and subject number will be handled according to strict procedures 
to maintain privacy. The collection of sensitive information is limited to that needed to achieve the aims of the 
research and is not recorded in narrative format or saved in medical records. Research participants are not 
scheduled together at the same time. If it becomes apparent that study personnel know a participant from 
outside the project, the participant is informed and given the opportunity to make a choice about participation; 
if the participant then chose to participate, the staff member will have no access to this participant's identifiable 
information or data. 
 
Computer-based files will only be made available to personnel involved in the study and limited to that purpose. 
Whenever feasible, identifiers will be removed from study-related information. Precautions are in place to 
ensure the data is secure by using passwords and encryption, etc. No identifiable data will be released to anyone 
without the signed consent of the participant, and no identification of the subject as a participant will be made 
to outside sources without signed consent. We keep no detailed written narratives with private information. 
Computerized files will be kept in a similar fashion to hard copies: personal information separate from actual 
data, both tied together only by subject number. The lists that associate the subject number and this 
information will also be separate. All members of the investigative group given access to these files are given 
this access by the data management group. Such access (the type of access and to what types of data) is 
recorded and monitored. Access is removed if it is no longer needed or as soon as staff leaves. All access is 
protected by logon and passwords. Again, all staff is educated regarding the protection of patients’ rights to 
confidentiality. 
 
C. Vulnerable Subjects: Not applicable. See above for Women of childbearing potential. 


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X. Potential Benefits of the Proposed Research to Subjects and Others 
 
Participants may learn more their prediabetes health status; if participant is overweight, he or she may learn 
more about that status as well. Information from laboratory studies and procedures will be available when the 
study ends. This information might guide the participant to more effective treatment from his or her physician. 
Studies may help the investigators find better alternatives for the treatment of prediabetes and overweight 
status, as well as the prevention of diabetes. However, participants may receive no benefits from participating. 
The specific aims of this research proposal may benefit society by furthering our understanding of the insulin- 
resistant states as well as the mechanisms the overweight state and obesity. More information will be gained 
about the mechanisms of human response to incretin treatment, and this information may be used to guide the 
development of new therapeutics. 


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XI. Importance of the Knowledge to be Gained 
 
Knowledge to be gained from this research can be quite relevant for society. Our findings may improve the 
understanding of the role of GLP-1R signaling in adipose tissue IL-6 signaling and adipose tissue browning. 
Uncovering these molecular pathways will serve as a basis for developing more targeted therapy for obesity and 
insulin resistance. Given the importance of this knowledge to be gained, we believe the value of participating in 
the research outweighs the risks described above. 


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inflammation of macrophages. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2016;49:e5826-431X20165826. 
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37. Mauer J, Chaurasia B, Goldau J, et al. Signaling by IL-6 promotes alternative activation of macrophages to 
limit endotoxemia and obesity-associated resistance to insulin. Nat Immunol. 2014;15:423-30. 
38. Braune J, Weyer U, Hobusch C, et al. IL-6 regulates M2 polarization and local proliferation of adipose tissue 
macrophages in obesity. J Immunol. 2017;198:2927-34. 
39. Sadler D, Mattacks CA, Pond CM. Changes in adipocytes and dendritic cells in lymph node containing adipose 
depots during and after many weeks of mild inflammation. J Anat. 2005;207:769-81. 
40. Wueest S, Laesser CI, Boni-Schnetzler M, et al. IL-6-type cytokine signaling in adipocytes induces intestinal 
GLP-1 secretion. Diabetes. 2018;67:36-45. 


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GLP-1/GLP-1R signaling. J Biol Chem. 2012;287:6421-30. 
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49. El Bekay R, Coin-Araguez L, Fernandez-Garcia D, et al. Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on the 
differentiation and metabolism of human adipocytes. Br J Pharmacol. 2016;173:1820-34. 
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51. Lee YS, Park MS, Choung JS, et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 inhibits adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and 
inflammation in an obese mouse model of diabetes. Diabetologia. 2012;55:2456-68. 
52. Wu HY, Tang XQ, Liu H, Mao XF, Wang YX. Both classic gs-cAMP/PKA/CREB and alternative gs- 
cAMP/PKA/p38beta/CREB signal pathways mediate exenatide-stimulated expression of M2 microglial markers. J 
Neuroimmunol. 2018;316:17-22. 
53. Muhammad AB, Xing B, Liu C, et al. Menin and PRMT5 suppress GLP1 receptor transcript and PKA-mediated 
phosphorylation of FOXO1 and CREB. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2017;313:E148-66. 
54. Bao Y, Jiang L, Chen H, Zou J, Liu Z, Shi Y. The neuroprotective effect of liraglutide is mediated by glucagon- 
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55. Andreozzi F, Raciti GA, Nigro C, et al. The GLP-1 receptor agonists exenatide and liraglutide activate glucose 
transport by an AMPK-dependent mechanism. J Transl Med. 2016;14:229,016-0985-7. 
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interleukin 6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70:1164-5. 
57. Morandi A, Fornari E, Opri F, et al. High-fat meal, systemic inflammation and glucose homeostasis in obese 
children and adolescents. Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41:986-9. 
58. Gagnon C, Daly RM, Carpentier A, et al. Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on 
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59. Tuomainen TP, Virtanen JK, Voutilainen S, et al. Glucose metabolism effects of vitamin D in prediabetes: The 
VitDmet randomized placebo-controlled supplementation study. J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:672653. 
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cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes? Endocr Pract. 2013;19:785-91. 
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67. Chaudhuri A, Ghanim H, Vora M, et al. Exenatide exerts a potent antiinflammatory effect. J Clin Endocrinol 
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69. Daquinag AC, Zhang Y, Amaya-Manzanares F, Simmons PJ, Kolonin MG. An isoform of decorin is a resistin 
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70. Azhdarinia A, Daquinag AC, Tseng C, et al. A peptide probe for targeted brown adipose tissue imaging. Nat 
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differentiation and suppresses obesity development. Cell Death Differ. 2015;22:351-63. 
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Cells. 2016;34:174-90. 
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adipose tissue. JCI Insight. 2016;1:10.1172/jci.insight.86351. 
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progenitor cell differentiation into white and beige adipocytes. Development. 2018;145:10.1242/dev.155861. 
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populations in adipose tissue. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2016;311:E952-63. 
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axis drives myc-induced prostate cancer in obese mice. Cancer Res. 2017;77:5158-68. 


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77. Secher A, Jelsing J, Baquero AF, et al. The arcuate nucleus mediates GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide- 
dependent weight loss. J Clin Invest. 2014;124:4473-88. 
78. Daquinag AC, Dadbin A, Snyder B, et al. Non-glycanated decorin is a drug target on human adipose stromal 
cells. Mol Ther Oncolytics. 2017;6:1-9. 
79. Mochizuki D, Adams A, Warner KA, et al. Anti-tumor effect of inhibition of IL-6 signaling in mucoepidermoid 
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80. Kimura T, Obata A, Shimoda M, et al. Durability of protective effect of dulaglutide on pancreatic b-cells 
in diabetic mice: GLP-1 receptor expression is not reduced despite long-term dulaglutide exposure. Diabetes & 
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81. Fairfield KM, “Vitamin supplementation and disease prevention,” UpToDate, last updated 5/21/2019. 
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82. From Page 17 of FDA guidance - https://www.fda.gov/media/88915/download 


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XIII. Appendix I: Outcome Measures 
 
 
1. Name: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention (i.e., after 6 weeks of exenatide and after 6 weeks of 
placebo) 
Brief Description: cytokine 
2. Name: Uncoupling protein 1 (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of beige/brown fat 
3. Name: STAT3 band intensity/Western blot (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: signaling intermediary with interleukin-6 
4. Name: PRDM16 (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of beige/brown fat 
5. Name: NDUFS3 (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of beige/brown fat 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Primary 
Primary 
Primary 


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6. Name: ADRB1 (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of beige/brown fat 
7. Name: ADRB2 (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of beige/brown fat 
8. Name: ADRB3 (from adipose tissue) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of beige/brown fat 
9. Name: NfKappaB p65 band intensity/Western blot (from peripheral blood mononuclear cells) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: signaling intermediary with interleukin-6 
10. Name: IL-6 mRNA (from peripheral blood mononuclear cells) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 


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Secondary 
 
 
 
11. Name: IL-6 (from peripheral blood mononuclear cells) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
12. Name: Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 band intensity/Western blot (from peripheral blood mononuclear 
cells) 
Type 
 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: signaling intermediary with interleukin-6 
13. Name: IL-6 (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
14. Name: free fatty acids (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: signaling intermediary with interleukin-6, marker of insulin resistance 
15. Name: insulin (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of insulin resistance 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 


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16. Name: glucose (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of insulin resistance 
17. Name: Tumor necrosis factor - alpha (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
18. Name: Interleukin-4 (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
19. Name: Interleukin-10 (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
20. Name: Interleukin-11 (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 


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21. Name: Interleukin-13 (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: cytokine 
22. Name: Glucagon like peptide-1 (from plasma) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: incretin 
23. Name: Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: marker of insulin resistance, calculated from fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma 
insulin values 
24. Name: Standard Uptake Value (from PET-CT reading) 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: radiologic marker of brown fat 
25. Name: Oroboros oxygen consumption 
Type 
 
Time Frame: after treatment with each intervention 
Brief Description: measure of oxygen consumption 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 
Secondary 

ICF_002.pdf: 
Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GLP-1 Therapy: The Role of IL-6 Signaling and Adipose Tissue Remodeling in Metabolic 
Response 
 
NCT04387201 
 
Version Date: 04/06/2023 
 


Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSENT TO TAKE PART IN RESEARCH 
 
Simple Study Title: 
GLP-1 and IL-6 
 
Full Study Title: 
GLP-1 Therapy: The Role of IL-6 Signaling and Adipose Tissue Remodeling in 
Metabolic Response 
 
Study Sponsor: 
National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and 
Kidney Diseases 
 
Principal Investigator: Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD, Associate Professor, Internal Medicine/Division of 
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, UTHealth 
 
Study Contact: 
Michelle Mayon, Study Coordinator, |||||||||||| 
 
The purpose of this study is to see if dulaglutide - a diabetes drug composed of a protein called “glucagon- 
like peptide-1” (GLP-1) – helps lead to the formation of “brown fat” in humans with prediabetes or at risk 
for prediabetes. “Brown fat” is a type of fat which lowers blood sugar and promotes weight loss. You have 
been invited to join this research study because you may have a clinical diagnosis of prediabetes or are at 
risk for prediabetes. 
 
If you choose to participate in this study, you will be asked to take study medications, participate in 
radiological imaging, and undergo two small biopsies from the area above and behind your collarbone. 
The total amount of time you will be in this study is approximately four to six months. 
 
There are potential risks involved with this study that are described in this document. Some known risks 
include nausea, diarrhea, bleeding, bruising, and mild radiation exposure. There may be potential benefits 
to you such as learning more about your prediabetes and/or weight status. 
 
The only alternative to participating in this research study is to not take part in the study. 
 
Participation in this research study is voluntary. You may choose not to take part in this research study or 
may choose to leave the research study at any time. Your decision will not affect the clinical care you 
receive at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) or Memorial Hermann 
Health System. 
 
If you are interested in participating, please continue to read below. 
 
What is the purpose of this research study? 
The purpose of this study is to see how well dulaglutide - a diabetes drug composed of a protein called 
“glucagon-like peptide-1” (GLP-1) - stimulates the secretion of another protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6). 
Together, these two proteins may lead to the formation of “brown fat” in humans with a clinical diagnosis 
of prediabetes or at risk for prediabetes. “Brown fat” is a type of fat, which lowers blood sugar and 


Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
promotes weight loss. This study is not being conducted for the treatment of prediabetes or obesity. 


Informed Consent <GLP-1 and IL-6> 
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Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
The National Institutes of Health is paying UTHealth for their work on this study. 
 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, as required by U.S. Law. 
This Web site will not include information that can identify you. At most, the Web site will include a summary 
of the results. You can search this Web site at any time. 
 
Who is being asked to take part in this study? 
You are being asked to take part in this research study because you have a clinical diagnosis of prediabetes 
or are at risk for prediabetes. This study is being conducted at UTHealth and Memorial Hermann Hospital 
at the Texas Medical Center. About 26 people will take part in the study in this city at UTHealth and 
Memorial Health System. 
 
What will happen if I take part in this study? 
If you agree and are able to take part in this study, you will undergo the following procedures: 
 
• Visit 1 (Screening Visit): The purpose of this visit (which will take place in our Clinical Research Unit) is 
to see if you qualify for the study. You will have a complete physical examination. We will ask questions 
about your medical history, current illnesses, and current medications. You must not be taking any 
diabetes medication that can lower your blood sugar in order to qualify for this study. Tell the study staff 
about any medications you are taking during the study and any changes in your diet and exercise habits. 
This includes prescription or over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. If not already completed, we will 
arrange for lab testing, where you will have about 2 tablespoons of blood drawn for routine blood tests, 
including complete blood count, and blood chemistry including liver and kidney function tests. We will test 
you for pregnancy (with a urine sample) if you are a woman who can have children. 
 
If you qualify for the study, you will be asked to briefly come to the Endocrinology Clinic at UT Physicians 
Professional Building (6th floor) to pick up the first study medication, which is weekly vitamin B12 (“also 
known as “cyanocobalamin”) injections. It is not known whether the study drug itself (dulaglutide) will be 
of benefit. For this reason, all study participants must also receive cyanocobalamin (believed to be 
inactive) as a comparator. This will allow a careful comparison to study the benefits of dulaglutide. 
Dulaglutide and cyanocobalamin are each injected under the skin. Cyanocobalamin will be given at this 
time. We will review dosing and storage instructions with you. You will finish the rest of the injections at 
home on a weekly basis for a total of 6 weeks. After Visit 3, you will begin dulaglutide injections weekly for a total 
of 6 weeks(describedfurtherbelow). You and your study team will know if you are receiving cyanocobalamin 
or dulaglutide. 
 
If you participate in the study, Visits 2 through 5 will each involve at least one of the following 
procedures: 
 
a) Computed tomography (CT) scan: This is imaging study which uses a special kind of X-ray machine. It 
will send several beams simultaneously from different angles to take pictures of your anatomy. The 
computer processes the results, displaying them as a two-dimensional picture shown on a monitor. We 
will not use contrast solutions for these scans. 


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IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
The CT scanner is a large machine with a hole in the middle. It looks like a donut with a table in the middle. 
When directed by your nurse, you will be asked to go to the bathroom (to urinate) and then lie on a 
partially enclosed scanning table. The table will slide into the machine. You will be asked to remain still 
during the scan. You will hear buzzing or clicking sounds during the scan, which will last 1-2 minutes. The 
size of the opening is 27 to 30 inches. How much space you feel you have around you will depend on your 
body size and the scanner. If you feel any anxiety over being in enclosed spaces, let your study doctor 
know. 
 
b) F 18-fluorodeoxy glucose-Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) Scan: This is a nuclear medicine 
medical imaging technique that produces a 3-D image of metabolic processes in the body. This is done in 
combination with a CT scan (same as the one described above). For this reason, it usually referred to as 
FDG-PET/CT scan. This allows images of both anatomy (CT) and metabolism (PET) to be taken during the 
same examination. The FDG-PET/CT scan has the benefit of combining the PET scan information about 
organ metabolism with the CT scan information about the size and shape of specific bodily organs. Alone, 
each test has its limitations but when the results of the scans are fused together they provide the most 
complete information on brown fat tissue function and location. You will be injected with F-18 FDG (small 
radioactive dose) intravenously approximately 60 minutes before the scan and then wait in a quiet room 
before scanning. 
 
The PET/CT scanner is also a large machine with a hole in the middle. It looks like a donut with a table in 
the middle. When directed by a technologist, you will be asked to go to the bathroom (urinate) and then 
lie on a partially enclosed scanning table. The table will slide into the machine which is quiet. You will be 
asked to remain still during the scan. You will need to lie still for about 20-40 minutes before coming off 
of the scanning table. The size of the opening is 27 to 30 inches. How much space you feel you have around 
you will depend on your body size and the scanner. If you feel any anxiety over being in enclosed spaces, 
let your study doctor know. 
 
c) Adipose Tissue Biopsy: Under the guidance of a CT scanner, we will use a biopsy needle to take adipose 
(fat) tissue from area above and behind your collarbone. This area of the body has the highest amount of 
brown fat. 
 
You will be taken to a procedure room that also has a CT scanner. CT images will be taken of the lower 
neck, to visualize the best biopsy site. An interventional radiologist will identify the location of the brown 
fat via the CT images combined with the previous PET/CT images. If no brown fat is visualized, then the 
interventional radiologist will plan for a white fat biopsy in the same area. The skin over the area of the 
biopsy will be cleaned using an antiseptic solution and covered with a sterile drape. Local anesthesia 
(approximately 5 mL of 2% lidocaine) will be injected in the deep skin biopsy site and in the fat tissue. This 
injection will be advanced in the targeted fat tissue area and an additional CT scan will be performed to 
ensure the correct placement of the needle at the biopsy site, avoiding any nearby blood vessels. The 
interventional radiologist will determine the depth of the fat tissue and plan for the advancement of the 
biopsy needle. 
 
Afterwards, an incision (less than 1 cm) will be made the skin using a scalpel and a 6-mm biopsy needle 
will be inserted through the incision and advanced into the depot of fat tissue. After proper positioning of 
the needle, the nurse will apply suction using a syringe and a suction catheter. The biopsy needle will be 
rotated to collect a sample of fat tissue, which will be about the size of a pea. Up to three attempts will 


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IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
be made to obtain tissue. After procedure is completed, the radiologist or nurse will apply manual 
compression for 3–5 min to minimize bleeding. A small adhesive bandage will be placed over the incision, 
which you can remove at home the next morning. You can also shower with the bandage when you are at 
home. The duration of the procedure is approximately 30–40 minutes. 
 
• Visit 2: This visit will take place approximately 1-10 days after last dose of study medication. You will be 
asked to fast (not eat or drink anything except water from midnight of that day) at home. Visit 2 musttakeplace 
before Visit 3, and may be done in the morning or afternoon. Visit 2 may also be done on the same day as Visit 3 if Visit 2 is 
doneinthemorning. At approximately 8 am or 12 pm, you will check in with Nuclear Medicine at Memorial 
Hermann. We will test you for pregnancy (with a urine sample) if you are a woman who can have children 
(i.e., if pregnancy test is positive, you will not receive study medications or procedures that day). You will 
then change into a hospital gown. At 9 am or 1 pm, a nurse will direct you into a room with temperature 
controlled to approximately 72 degrees F. Vital signs will be measured and you will have one IV (small 
plastic catheter (tube) inserted into your vein) placed on the inside of your arm near the elbow. At 10 am 
or 2 pm, we will draw about 2 tablespoons of blood through this IV. This blood will be used to measure 
markers of inflammation, sugar, and insulin in your blood. Then you will be given an injection  of a small 
amount of a radioactive drug/tracer (a chemical similar to sugar which is called FDG) into the 
IV. The amount of radiation is no more than what you would have during a whole body CT with contrast. 
It only stays in your body for a few hours and there are no special precaution required after the scan is 
completed. The FDG will travel to particular parts of your body. It travels to places where glucose is used 
for energy. At 11 am or 3 pm, you will be taken to separate room complete the PET-CT scan. Upon 
completion, we will remove the IV and provide you with a small snack. You may then leave. 
 
• Visit 3: This visit will take place approximately one week after (±3 days, and after completing Visit #2) 
last dose of study medication. You will be asked to fast (beginning from midnight of that day) at home. At 
approximately 12 pm, you will check in with Interventional Radiology at Memorial Hermann. We will  test 
you for pregnancy (with a urine sample) if you are a woman who can have children (i.e., if pregnancy test 
is  positive, you will not receive study medications or procedures that day). You will    then change into a 
hospital gown. At 1 pm, a nurse will direct you into a room with temperature controlled to approximately 72 
degrees F. Vital signs will be measured and you will have one IV (small plastic catheter (tube) inserted into 
your vein) placed on the inside of your arm near the elbow. At 3 pm, you will be taken to the procedure 
room, which will include a CT scanner. You will have an adipose tissue biopsy, as per the procedure 
described above. Also as noted above, a small adhesive bandage will be placed over the biopsy site, which 
you can remove at home the next morning. The study team will provide you with a small snack. You may 
then leave. 
 
In at least three weeks, you will be asked to briefly come to the Endocrinology Clinic at UT Physician 
Professional Building (6th floor) to begin the next study medication, which is dulaglutide. We will review 
dosing and storage instructions with you. You will finish the rest of the injections at home on a weekly 
basis for a total of 6 weeks. 
 
• Visit 4: This visit will take place approximately 1 - 10 days after completion of study medication, with 
procedures identical to those described in Visit #2. 
 
Visit 5: This visit will take place approximately one week after (±3 days, and after completing Visit #4) last dose of 
study medication., with procedures identical to those described in Visit #3. The only exception is that the study will be 
completed and no more study medication will be given. 


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Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
How long will you be in the study? 
If you agree to take part, your participation will last for four to six months and will involve five study visits. 
 
What choices do you have other than this study? 
The only alternative is not to take part in this study. 
 
What are the risks of taking part in this study? 
There are both risks and benefits to taking part in this study. It is important for you to think carefully about 
these as you make your decision. 
 
Medication 
If you choose to take part in this study, there is a risk that that dulaglutide and/or cyanocobalamin (vitamin 
B12 injections) may not be as good as diet and exercise in treating your condition. 
 
There is also a risk that you could have side effects from the dulaglutide. These side effects may be worse 
and may be different than you would get with the usual treatment. 
Some of the most common side effects that the study doctors know about are: 
• 
Nausea 
• 
Vomiting 
• 
Headache 
• 
Diarrhea 
• 
Stomach irritation 
Some of the less common side effects that the study doctors know about are: 
• 
Dizziness 
• 
Hypoglycemia 
• 
Injection site rash 
• 
Nasopharyngitis 
• 
Pancreatitis (very rare, less than 1%) 
There is also a risk that you could have side effects from the cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12 injections). 
These side effects may be worse and may be different than you would get with the usual treatment. 
Some of the most common side effects that the study doctors know about are: 
• 
Headaches 
• 
Mild loss of strength 
 
Some of the less common side effects that the study doctors know about are: 
• 
Paresthesias (numbness) 
• 
Nausea 
• 
Rhinitis 
• 
Injection site redness 


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Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
There may be some risks that the study doctors do not yet know about. 
 
Study Procedures 
Study procedures are completed during study visits. Each procedure has the following potential side 
effects: 
 
A) Blood Draw and Catheter Insertion: 
 
The insertion of the catheter (used to draw blood) may cause some discomfort, feeling lightheaded, 
fainting, bruising, clotting and bleeding from the site of the needle stick and, in rare cases, infection. 
 
B) CT Scan: 
Targeted CT scan images will be obtained during Visit #3 and Visit #5. The amount of radiation exposure 
you will receive at each visit is about the same as that of an intercontinental jet flight. There is might be a 
very slight chance of cancer from exposure to this radiation. However, this is unlikely given the small doses 
used in this protocol. No contrast dye will be used for these CT images. Prior to each of these visits, each 
female subject of childbearing potential will receive a urine pregnancy test to ensure there is no pregnancy 
prior to participation. 
 
C) FDG-PET/CT Scan: 
FDG-PET-CT will be obtained at Visit #3 and Visit #4. An intravenous small amount of radioactive glucose 
will be given one hour prior to obtaining images. Because the dose of radiotracer administered is small, 
there is a relatively low radiation exposure to the patient. Nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures 
(including PET-CT) have been used for more than three decades, and there are no known long-term 
adverse effects from such low-dose exposure. Allergic reactions to radiopharmaceuticals may occur but 
are extremely rare and are usually mild. Injection of the radiotracer may cause slight pain and redness 
which should rapidly resolve within a few days. As these procedures are not safe during pregnancy, a urine 
pregnancy test will be collected on the day of the exam (only in female subjects of childbearing potential), 
to ensure there is no pregnancy prior to participation. 
 
D) Adipose Tissue Biopsies: 
Per biopsy, we will obtain 100-200 mg of subcutaneous supraclavicular adipose tissue (Visit #3, Visit #5), 
as described above. Risks and side effects related to these biopsies are as follows: 
 
Less likely and not serious: 
• 
Bleeding and/or bruising and/or mild swelling at site of biopsy. As the incision is small (less than 
1 cm), you will not require sutures. A small adhesive bandage will be placed over the incision, 
which can be removed the next morning. If there is any swelling or bruising, it usually goes away 
with rest after a few days, although sometimes it may take a week. The bruising is helped by using 
hot packs. 
 
Rare and Serious: 
• 
Rarely, bleeding from a subcutaneous biopsy may be severe enough to require hospitalization. 


Informed Consent <GLP-1 and IL-6> 
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Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
• 
Very rarely, some subjects may experience numbness or tingling at the biopsy site. This is 
usually temporary and goes away in a few days. 
• 
There is a small risk of infection at the site of the biopsy. Infections can be usually treated 
effectively with oral antibiotics. 
• 
Allergic reactions to the local anesthetic we use for the biopsy are extremely rare, but could 
include a skin sore, swelling, or hives. 
 
Safety Measures: 
• 
Furthermore, you will be instructed to inspect the wound daily, and inform the study team if 
you experience bleeding or worsening redness, pain, or discomfort. 
 
As CT images will be obtained during this procedure, a urine pregnancy test will be collected on the day 
of the exam (only in female subjects of childbearing potential), to ensure there is no pregnancy prior to 
participation. 
 
Women and Pregnancy 
If you are a woman able to become pregnant, a urine pregnancy test will be done, and it must be negative 
before you can take part in this study. The medication, CT scans, and FDG-PET-CT scans used in this study 
could be harmful to an unborn baby. These interventions may hurt an unborn baby in ways we do not 
currently know. If you are sexually active, you must agree to use a medically acceptable form of birth 
control in order to be in this study and for one week afterward. It is very important that you check with 
your study doctor about what types of birth control or pregnancy prevention to use during the study and 
for one week after you have completed the study. If you become pregnant while taking part in this study 
or if you have unprotected sex, you must inform the study doctor immediately. 
 
What are the benefits to taking part in this study? 
The benefits of participating in this study may be: learning more information about your pre-diabetes 
and/or overweight health status. Information from laboratory studies and procedures will be available 
when the study ends. You may also help the investigators find better alternatives for treatment and 
prevention of prediabetes and obesity. However, you may receive no benefit from participating. 
 
This study may help the study doctors learn things that may help other people in the future. 
 
Can you stop taking part in this study? 
You may decide to stop taking part in the study at any time. To withdraw from the study, please contact 
Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD, at |||||  |||||. 
 
Your doctor or the sponsor can stop the study at any time. Your doctor or the sponsor may stop your 
participation in the study if your condition worsens, the study is stopped, the study drug is no longer 
available, you do not meet all the requirements of the study, or the study is not in your best interest. If 
your participation in the study is stopped, your doctor will discuss other options for your treatment. 
 
If you stop participating in this study, the information already collected about you will still be used in the 
data analysis. However, no further information will be collected without your permission. 


Informed Consent <GLP-1 and IL-6> 
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Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
While taking part in this study, the study team will notify you of new information that may become 
available and could affect your willingness to stay in the study. 
 
What happens if you are injured during the study? 
If you suffer an injury as a result of taking part in this research study, please understand that nothing has 
been arranged to provide free treatment of the injury or any other type of payment. However, necessary 
facilities, emergency treatment, and professional services will be available to you, just as they are to the 
general community. You should report any such injury to Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD, at ||||||  ||||||. You 
will not give up any of your legal rights by signing this consent form. 
 
What are the costs of taking part in this study? 
The sponsor will pay for the special tests and examinations that are required by this study and not 
otherwise part of your standard medical care. 
 
You should not receive any bills for this study. However, if you receive a bill that you believe is related to 
your taking part in this research study, please contact Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD, at |||||  ||||| with any 
questions. 
 
You will be paid for taking part in this research study. You will be compensated $40 for the screening visit 
(Visit 1), regardless of whether or not you ultimately qualify for the study. If you qualify for the complete 
study, you will be compensated $75 for Visit 2, $200 for Visit 3, $75 for Visit 4, and $200 for Visit 5. Your 
maximum potential compensation is $590. If you withdraw from study early you will be compensated for 
the study visits you completed. 
 
In addition, there are also two brief appointments (after Visit 1 and after Visit 3) where you will come to 
the Endocrinology Clinic at UT Physician Professional Building (6th floor) to pick up the study medication. 
We will provide parking validation (for an approved nearby garage) for these two visits only. There is no 
additional compensation for these visits. 
 
If you receive payment for taking part in this study, please be informed that you will be asked to complete 
a W-9 form that will be forwarded to the accounting department as a requirement by the Internal Revenue 
Service. You will also be issued a 1099-Misc form from this study for tax reporting purposes. 
 
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston owns any data collected and the use of the data, 
results, treatments or inventions that can be made from the research. The University’s ownership includes 
the right to license or transfer the use or ownership to other parties including without limitation, 
commercial entities contracting with UTHealth. There are no plans to compensate you for any patents or 
discoveries that may result from your participation in this research study. You will not be paid for any use 
of your data, samples, or results. 
 
How will privacy and confidentiality be protected? 
Your privacy is important and your participation in this study will be kept confidential. However, absolute 
confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. 
 
If you sign this document, you give permission to UTHealth and Memorial Hermann Health System to use 
and disclose (release) your health information. The health information that we may use or disclose for 


Informed Consent <GLP-1 and IL-6> 
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Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
this research includes information in your medical record, results of physical examinations, medical 
history, lab tests, diagnostic tests, and biopsy results. Please understand that health information used and 
disclosed may include information relating to HIV infection, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, behavioral health, 
and psychiatric care. 
 
Personal identifiers such as your name and medical record number will be removed from the 
information and samples collected in this study. After we remove all identifiers, the information or 
samples may be used for future research or shared with other researchers without your additional 
informed consent. 
 
People who receive your health information may not be required by Federal privacy laws (such as the 
Privacy Rule) to protect your health information and may share your information with others without your 
permission, if permitted by laws governing them. You will not be personally identified in any reports or 
publications that may result from this study. If all information that does or can identify you is removed 
from your health information, the remaining information will no longer be subject to this authorization 
and may be used or disclosed for other purposes. 
 
Representatives of the organizations listed below will see your name and other personal identifiers. 
Information released may include the dates of service/treatment, and date of birth. When they review 
your research records and medical records for the purposes of verifying study data: 
• 
Representatives of UTHealth and/or Memorial Hermann Health System 
• 
Representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
• 
Representatives of the sponsor of this research including contract research organizations 
• 
Companies engaged with the UTHealth for the commercialization of the results of the research 
study 
Please note that you do not have to sign this Authorization, but if you do not, you may not participate in 
this research study. UTHealth and Memorial Hermann Health System may not withhold treatment or 
refuse treating you if you do not sign this Authorization. 
You may change your mind and revoke (take back) this Authorization at any time. Even if you revoke this 
Authorization, researchers may still use or disclose health information they already have obtained about 
you as necessary to maintain the integrity or reliability of the current research. To revoke this 
Authorization, you must contact Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD, in writing at ||||||||||  |||||||||| 
|||||||  |||||||. 
This Authorization will expire 15 years after the end of the study. 
 
Whom can you contact if you have questions about the study? 
If you have questions at any time about this research study, please feel free to contact the study 
coordinator Michelle Mayon at |||||  |||||, as she will be glad to answer your questions. You can 
contact the study team to discuss problems, report injuries, voice concerns, obtain information in addition 
to asking questions about the research. 
The Committee for Protection of Human Subjects at the University of Texas Health Science Center has 
reviewed this research study. You may contact them for any questions about your rights as a research 
subject, and to discuss any concerns, comments, or complaints about taking part in a research study at 
|||||  |||||. 


Informed Consent <GLP-1 and IL-6> 
Page 10 
Contact Name: Michelle Mayon 
Telephone: |||||||||| 
IRB NUMBER: HSC-MS-19-0787 
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 04/06/2023 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES 
Sign below only if you understand the information given to you about the research and you choose to 
take part in this research study. Make sure that all your questions have been answered. If you decide to 
take part in this research study, a copy of this signed consent form will be given to you. 
 
 
 
 
 
Printed Name of Subject 
Signature of Subject 
Date 
Time 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Printed Name of Person 
Obtaining Informed Consent 
Signature of Person Obtaining 
Informed Consent 
Date 
Time 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Committee for Protection of Human Subjects at the University of Texas Health Science Center has 
reviewed this research study. You may contact them for any questions about your rights as a research 
subject, and to discuss any concerns, comments, or complaints about taking part in a research study at 
|||||  |||||.