Ready-to-Use Glucagon effectively maintains blood sugar during exercise in type 1 diabetes

Delhi: A novel ready-to-use liquid stable glucagon was effective in maintaining euglycemia (normal levels of blood sugar) during prolonged, continuous, intense aerobic exercise in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a recent study published in the journal Diabetes.

Ronnie Aronson from Canada and colleagues evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel ready-to-use liquid stable glucagon (RTUG; Xeris Pharmaceuticals) for the prevention of exercise-induced hypoglycemia (EIH) during and after moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise.

For the purpose, the researchers conducted a phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical research center (CRC) crossover stage, followed by a 12-week 3-arm parallel Outpatient stage. It enrolled 48 adults with type 1 diabetes who were using an insulin pump. In the outpatient stage, subjects were assigned to RTUG 150 μg plus 50% basal insulin pump reduction, or RTUG 150 μg with no insulin change, or to placebo. Blood sugar was measured by blood sugar meter before, during, and after moderate-to-high intensity, aerobic exercise to evaluate the incidence and severity of hypoglycemia. Continuous glucose monitors were utilized in the CRC and Outpatient stage. 

"RTUG 150 μg maintained euglycemia during prolonged, continuous, intense aerobic exercise. In the CRC stage, RTUG was more effective than insulin reduction alone, to prevent EIH, and may result in less post-exercise hyperglycemia than the ingestion of carbohydrates. Data from the ongoing Outpatient stage may support the use of RTUG to prevent EIH during and after aerobic exercise in real-world settings," concluded the authors. 

The study, "Ready-to-Use Glucagon for the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia during Aerobic Exercise," is published in the ADA journal Diabetes.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/db20-15-LB