Interaction Between Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation and Metformin in Individuals With Prediabetes
Start Date
1/1/2026
Completion Date
6/30/2027
Summary
This study is examining whether short-term supplementation with inorganic nitrate, in the form of beetroot juice, can enhance blood vessel health, insulin sensitivity, and exercise capacity in individuals with prediabetes. We will be comparing the responses in individuals who are taking metformin to those who are naive to metformin. The results from this study may help identify non-pharmacological interventions in prediabetes.
Detailed Description
One in 10 Americans have diabetes, with \~ 95% having type 2 diabetes (T2D). Another 1 in 3 have prediabetes, with 70% developing T2D during their lifetimes. Exercise is the standard of care for T2D. However, responses to exercise are blunted in T2D, in part due to the widespread use of metformin, which may inhibit mitochondrial function. Alternative therapies, such as inorganic nitrate supplementation, may provide benefits without attenuating exercise responses. Purpose: To examine inorganic nitrate supplementation on exercise tolerance, vascular function, and insulin sensitivity in subjects with PD (an ideal time to prevent progression to T2D) who are either taking or naïve to metformin pharmacotherapy. This study willl recruit twenty-four individuals with PD (12 on, 12 metformin naïve) will participate in a double-blind cross-over design after either oral nitrate or placebo supplementation, including: 1) tests of vascular function (pulse wave velocity, flow mediated dilation, microvascular function with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia, local thermal heating, and skin ACh iontophoresis); 2) exercise testing to determine VO2peak and lactate threshold; 3) an oral glucose tolerance test; and 4) an exercise time trial to exhaustion.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to 60 years
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Inorganic Nitrate (Beetroot juice)
Dietary supplement: Placebo (Nitrate-depleted beetroot juice)
Conditions
Locations
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
United States