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Type1diabetesPhase 3NCT07056699

SGLT2i, Pioglitazone, and Ketone Production in T1D

A Phase 3 study testing Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab and Pioglitazone 15 MG and 30mg in people with Type1diabetes, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Participants are being asked to be in a research study. Scientists do research to answer important questions which might help change or improve treatment of participants disease in the future. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Type1diabetes
What is being tested?
Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab and Pioglitazone 15 MG and 30mg
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Jul 2026to 30 Jun 2027
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age >18 years
  • T1D
  • Other than diabetes, subjects must be in good general health as determined by the investigator based on physical exam, medical history and screening labs.
  • Minor deviations may be permitted if:
  • The abnormality is not considered clinically significant.
  • The deviation does not pose a safety risk or interfere with study participation.
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  • The rationale for inclusion is documented in the source records.
  • Fasting C-peptide concentration <0.7 ng/ml
  • Poor glycemic control (HbA1c=7.0-11.0%)
  • Treatment with multiple daily insulin injections (basal plus prandial) or insulin pump
  • Total daily insulin dose ≥0.6 U/kg per day
  • Stable insulin dose (±4 units) in the preceding three months
  • eGFR ≥ 50 ml/min
  • Weight stable over the preceding 3 months (± 4 pounds)
  • Positive GAD antibody (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase antibody). *
  • Testing for GAD antibodies will be performed during the screening visit. Participants who test positive for GAD antibodies will be eligible for enrollment in the study. Over time, these antibodies may disappear, reducing the likelihood of a positive result during screening. If participant tests negative for GAD antibodies, their medical history will be reviewed to determine whether testing for GAD antibodies was performed at an earlier stage of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). If prior positive results are confirmed, the participant may be enrolled. If a participant tests positive for antibodies other than GAD, an exception request will be submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval.

Who cannot join

  • Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)
  • Daily insulin dose <0.6 U/kg per day
  • Fasting C-peptide >0.7 ng/ml
  • HbA1c <7.0% or >11.0%
  • eGFR < 50 ml/min
  • Hematuria in urine analysis
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  • Pregnancy, lactating, positive pregnancy test or planning to become pregnant in the following year. Women of child-bearing potential will be required to undergo a pregnancy test prior to enrollment and must agree to use effective contraception (at least two barrier methods) for the duration of the study.
  • Major organ system disease which includes: (i) malignancy or history of malignancy including bladder cancer; (ii) Congestive heart failure or history of coronary heart disease or any other cardiac disease; (iii) chronic liver disease or LFT >3 times the upper normal level; (iv) History of alcohol or drug abuse; (v) History of chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD, asthma); (vi) history of rheumatic disease; (vii) History of chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery; (viii) History of CVA or TIA (ix) Planned surgery during the study; (x) history of HIV infection or other immune compromised disease; and history of organ transplantation; (xi) patients who take medications, other than insulin, known to affect glucose metabolism, e.g., prednisone.
  • Evidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • Patients enrolled in a heavy exercise program
  • Patients on ketogenic diet
  • History of hospitalization for DKA, hypoglycemia or uncontrolled hyperglycemia in the preceding 6 month.
  • Presence of symptoms of poor glycemic control, e.g. polydipsia or polyurea
  • History of hypersensitivity to dapagliflozin or pioglitazone
  • Participants with a history of radiation exposure exceeding 5 REM within the previous 12 months will be excluded.
  • Prior to the screening period, potential participants will be pre-screened either by phone or in person at the Texas Diabetes Institute. Individuals with prior significant radiation exposure will be excluded.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Ralph DeFronzo, MD contact

210 567 6691

defronzo@uthscsa.edu

Aurora Merovci, MD, MPH contact

210 358 7409

merovci@uthscsa.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Texas Diabetes Institute

    San Antonio, Texas, 78229-3900

    Ralph Defronzo, MD, 210-567-6691, defronzo@uthscsa.edu

    Aurora Merovci, MD, MPH, 210 358 7409, merovci@uthscsa.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Protocol V: San Antonio Site Sub Study: Can Pioglitazone Block SGLT2 Inhibitor-induced Stimulation of Lipolysis, Ketone Production and Liver Glucose Production in Type I Diabetic Patients

Participants are being asked to be in a research study. Scientists do research to answer important questions which might help change or improve treatment of participants disease in the future.

In patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), dapagliflozin a Selective Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitor (SGLT2i) is known to increase production of glucose in the liver, increase breakdown of fats (lipolysis), and increase production of ketones (ketogenesis). Ketones are chemicals produced by the liver when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of glucose. When the level of ketones in the body becomes too high, a condition called ketoacidosis develops. In this study, the study team will investigate whether adding pioglitazone (a medication commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes), can reduce the dapagliflozin - induced liver glucose production, fat break down (lipolysis) and ketone body production (ketogenesis) in patients with T1D.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the effects of dapagliflozin and pioglitazone in the body - specifically, on liver glucose production, breakdown of fat, and ketone production in T1D patients treated with insulin. Subjects with T1D can't make insulin because their pancreas doesn't work properly. This means they need insulin injections to control their blood sugar. But using insulin can sometimes cause low blood sugar and weight gain, making it harder for insulin to work and requiring higher doses. Finding other medicines that can help lower blood sugar in people with T1D and can be used along with insulin would make it easier to manage their blood sugar.

Dapagliflozin is in a class of drugs known as SGLT2i and has been shown to effectively lower blood sugar concentration in T1D patients. These drugs lower blood glucose levels by preventing or reducing the re-absorption of glucose in the kidneys. This results in the release of glucose into the urine. At the same time, SGLT2i drugs stimulate glucose production by the liver, which helps compensate for the loss of glucose into the urine. Also, the use of dapagliflozin in patients with type 1 diabetes was associated with increased risk of ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that occurs when the body produces high levels of ketones, leading to increased acidity in the blood. Pioglitazone is in a class of thiazolidinediones and is commonly used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. The investigators believe that the addition of pioglitazone, to dapagliflozin will prevent the risk of ketoacidosis associated with dapagliflozin, and will cause a large reduction in plasma glucose concentration in T1D patients.

Conditions
Type1diabetes
Being tested
Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab, Pioglitazone 15 MG and 30mg, Placebo
Keywords
Selective Glucose Cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), Dapagliflozin, Pioglitazone

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Dapagliflozin 10mg TabDrug

    Also called Farxiga

    Dapagliflozin (10 mg/day)

  • Pioglitazone 15 MG and 30mgDrug

    Also called Actos

    Pioglitazone (15 mg/day for 2 weeks, then 30 mg/day for 14 weeks)

  • PlaceboOther

    Also called Inert substance

    Inert placebo for Pioglitazone

Study groups in NCT07056699
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental study drug for T1DExperimentalDapagliflozin (10 mg/day) + Pioglitazone (15 mg/day for 2 weeks, then 30 mg/day for 14 weeks)
Receives: Drug: Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab; Drug: Pioglitazone 15 MG and 30mg
Placebo Group for T1DPlacebo comparatorDapagliflozin (10 mg/day) + Placebo (for 16 weeks)
Receives: Drug: Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab; Other: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in endogenous glucose production (EGP)

    Infusions of a tracer, ³H-glucose, will begin and continue until the end of the study.

    A single dose of empagliflozin (25 mg) by mouth will be taken at 900am. Blood samples will be collected minutes to assess how your body responds to the infused tracers.

    This tracer help to measure the rate of endogenous (liver) glucose production. The difference in levels of EGP will be reported from the beginning of the study to a second level taken 16 weeks later.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

  2. Change in ketone body production ( ketogenesis)

    Infusions of tracers, ³H-glucose and U-2H-glycerol or 14C-Glycerol, will begin and continue until the end of the study.

    A single dose of empagliflozin (25 mg) by mouth will be taken at 900am. Blood samples will be collected to assess how your body responds to the infused tracers.

    This tracer help to measure the rate of ketone body production (ketogenesis). The difference in levels of ketones will be reported from the beginning of the study to a second level taken 16 weeks later.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

  3. Change in lipolysis (fat breakdown)

    Infusions of tracers, U-H-14C-Glycerol or 2H-Glycerol, will begin and continue until the end of the study.

    A single dose of empagliflozin (25 mg) by mouth will be taken at 900am. Blood samples will be collected to assess how your body responds to the infused tracers.

    This tracer help to measure the rate of lipolysis (fat breakdown). The difference in levels of lipolysis will be reported from the beginning of the study to a second level taken 16 weeks later.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Change in HbA1c from baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

    HbA1c and CGM metrics provide clinically relevant data on glycemic control and variability. This endpoint assess the metabolic efficacy of adding pioglitazone to dapagliflozin in T1DM.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

  2. Change in plasma Free Fatty Acid (FFA) from baseline (Week 0) to Week 16.

    Measuring free fatty acids directly tests the hypothesis that pioglitazone reduces the risk of SGLT2 inhibitor-associated diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by suppressing FFA release.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

  3. Change in glycerol from baseline (Week 0) to week 16.

    To examine the effects of adding pioglitazone (15/30 mg/day) to dapagliflozin (10 mg/day) compared to dapagliflozin (10mg/day) plus placebo in T1DM patients, focusing on lipolysis changes over a 16-week treatment period.

    Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Jul 2025
  2. Study start1 Jul 2026
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A cluster randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled mechanistic study
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
24 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07056699
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY00001633 - 504078
Other IDs
R01DK024092
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
26 Jun 2025
Last updated
20 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Study participant research data, which is for purposes of statistical analysis and scientific reporting, will be transmitted to and stored at the Diabetes division at UT Health. This will not include the participant's contact or identifying information. Rather, individual participants and their research data will be identified by a unique study identification number. The study data entry and study management systems used by clinical sites and by Diabetes division at UT Health research staff will be secured, and password protected. At the end of the study, all study databases will be de-identified and archived at the Diabetes division at UT Health.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab and Pioglitazone 15 MG and 30mg in people with Type1diabetes, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 16 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Ralph DeFronzo, MD (210 567 6691, defronzo@uthscsa.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in endogenous glucose production (EGP) (time frame: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 16). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Jul 2026.

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