RecruitingPhase 4

Effect of GLP-1RA on Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes

China60 participantsStarted 2026-04-01

Plain-language summary

This study aims to investigate whether a class of diabetes medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), specifically semaglutide or polyethylene glycol loxenatide, can improve heart-related nerve damage in people with type 2 diabetes. This heart-related nerve damage is known as diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN), which can cause problems such as fast resting heart rate, low blood pressure upon standing, and in severe cases, heart attack or sudden death. In this study, 60 adults with type 2 diabetes (ages 18-80) will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will receive standard diabetes care only, while the other group will receive standard care plus a once-weekly injection of either semaglutide or polyethylene glycol loxenatide for 6 months. Participants will undergo tests before and after the treatment period, including blood tests and non-invasive heart function tests (24-hour heart rate variability monitoring and cardiac autonomic reflex tests). The main goal is to see whether GLP-1RA treatment improves heart rate variability, a key sign of heart nerve function. The study also looks at changes in body weight, blood sugar control, and insulin resistance. This research may help determine whether GLP-1RA medications can protect against or improve diabetic heart nerve damage, beyond their known benefits for blood sugar control.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 70 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18-70 years * Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who meet the diagnostic guidelines * Patient has signed the relevant informed consent form * Being overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²) Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years * Pregnant or lactating women * Acute or chronic pancreatitis * Recent acute complications of diabetes (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state) * Arrhythmia or taking medications that affect heart rate (e.g., beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs) * Thyroid disease * Severe organ dysfunction (e.g., heart, liver, kidney failure) * Denial of informed consent

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

heart rate variability（HRV）

Timeframe: baseline and 12 weeks later]

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07558863

SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-03-30

Contact for this trial

jianbo Li

13115008178 ljbzjlx18@aliyun.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Type 2 Diabetes trials