Clinical Trial: Effects of Branch Chain Amino Acids on Glucose Tolerance in Obese Pre-Diabetic Subjects

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional




Official Title: Effects of Branch Chain Amino Acids on Glucose Tolerance in Obese Pre-Diabetic Subjects

Brief Summary:

Branching chain amino acids (BCAA) have both beneficial and detrimental effects of on metabolism have been established and therefore warrants further investigation. In the preliminary study, the investigators found that BCAAs enhanced glucose metabolism in lean mice while they promoted glucose intolerance in obese mice. In lean mice, BCAAs decreased adiposity and enhanced glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity in different tissues. But in obese mice, BCAAs' effects were mediated by impaired insulin signaling in fat tissue.

This study will examine 10 obese subjects with pre-diabetes and examine the effects of taking BCAA supplement and will monitor the subjects blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride levels and will have an oral glucose tolerance test on repeated occasions to see if any changes are noted in their glucose regulation.