Exercise Dose and Metformin for Vascular Health in Metabolic Syndrome
NCT ID: NCT03355469
Last Updated: 2025-09-22
Study Results
Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.
View full resultsBasic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
COMPLETED
PHASE2/PHASE3
91 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2017-08-07
2024-05-23
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
Related Clinical Trials
Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.
The Interaction Between Metformin and Physical Training
NCT03316690
Comparative Effects of Exercise and Metformin on Glycemic Control in Prediabetic Adults
NCT07061496
Does Dapagliflozin Augment The Favorable Adaptation To Endurance Exercise Training?
NCT02371187
Short-Term Metformin Use in Young, Healthy Adults: Impacts on Exercise Capacity
NCT06638671
Effect of Exercise on Metabolic Health
NCT02001142
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
PREVENTION
QUADRUPLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
LoEx with Placebo
Low intensity exercise with placebo.
Placebo
Oral placebo for 16 weeks. Placebo tablets will follow a four-stage progression: Week 1 = 1 tablet; Week 2 = 2 tablets; Week 3 = 3 tablets; Week 4-16 = 4 tablets.
Low Intensity Exercise
Low intensity exercise will consist of 16 weeks of walking at \~55% of each participant's predetermined VO2max and monitored via heart rate. Supervised exercised will occur on a treadmill 3d/wk and the duration will be determined based on individual fitness levels to expand 400 kcals. Supervised exercise training will follow a three-phase progression: Weeks 1-2 = 3 supervised sessions at 75% duration; Week 3-4 = 3 supervised sessions at 87% duration; Weeks 5-16 = 3 supervised sessions at 100% duration. Unsupervised exercised will be 2d/wk and the duration will half the time of the supervised training sessions.
HiEx with Placebo
High intensity exercise with placebo.
Placebo
Oral placebo for 16 weeks. Placebo tablets will follow a four-stage progression: Week 1 = 1 tablet; Week 2 = 2 tablets; Week 3 = 3 tablets; Week 4-16 = 4 tablets.
High Intensity Exercise
High intensity exercise will consist of 16 weeks of walking at \~85% of each participant's predetermined VO2max and monitored via heart rate. Supervised exercised will occur on a treadmill 3d/wk and the duration will be determined based on individual fitness levels to expand 400 kcals. Supervised exercise training will follow a three-phase progression: Weeks 1-2 = 3 supervised sessions at 75% duration; Week 3-4 = 3 supervised sessions at 87% duration; Weeks 5-16 = 3 supervised sessions at 100% duration. Unsupervised exercised will be 2d/wk and the duration will half the time of the supervised training sessions.
LoEx with Metformin
Low intensity exercise with metformin.
Metformin
Oral metformin 2000 mg/d for 16 weeks. Metformin dosage will follow 500 mg/d ramp up progression: Week 1 = 500 mg/d; Week 2 = 1,000 mg/d; Week 3 = 1500 mg/d; Week 4-16 = 2000 mg/d.
Low Intensity Exercise
Low intensity exercise will consist of 16 weeks of walking at \~55% of each participant's predetermined VO2max and monitored via heart rate. Supervised exercised will occur on a treadmill 3d/wk and the duration will be determined based on individual fitness levels to expand 400 kcals. Supervised exercise training will follow a three-phase progression: Weeks 1-2 = 3 supervised sessions at 75% duration; Week 3-4 = 3 supervised sessions at 87% duration; Weeks 5-16 = 3 supervised sessions at 100% duration. Unsupervised exercised will be 2d/wk and the duration will half the time of the supervised training sessions.
HiEx with Metformin
High intensity exercise with metformin.
Metformin
Oral metformin 2000 mg/d for 16 weeks. Metformin dosage will follow 500 mg/d ramp up progression: Week 1 = 500 mg/d; Week 2 = 1,000 mg/d; Week 3 = 1500 mg/d; Week 4-16 = 2000 mg/d.
High Intensity Exercise
High intensity exercise will consist of 16 weeks of walking at \~85% of each participant's predetermined VO2max and monitored via heart rate. Supervised exercised will occur on a treadmill 3d/wk and the duration will be determined based on individual fitness levels to expand 400 kcals. Supervised exercise training will follow a three-phase progression: Weeks 1-2 = 3 supervised sessions at 75% duration; Week 3-4 = 3 supervised sessions at 87% duration; Weeks 5-16 = 3 supervised sessions at 100% duration. Unsupervised exercised will be 2d/wk and the duration will half the time of the supervised training sessions.
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
Metformin
Oral metformin 2000 mg/d for 16 weeks. Metformin dosage will follow 500 mg/d ramp up progression: Week 1 = 500 mg/d; Week 2 = 1,000 mg/d; Week 3 = 1500 mg/d; Week 4-16 = 2000 mg/d.
Placebo
Oral placebo for 16 weeks. Placebo tablets will follow a four-stage progression: Week 1 = 1 tablet; Week 2 = 2 tablets; Week 3 = 3 tablets; Week 4-16 = 4 tablets.
Low Intensity Exercise
Low intensity exercise will consist of 16 weeks of walking at \~55% of each participant's predetermined VO2max and monitored via heart rate. Supervised exercised will occur on a treadmill 3d/wk and the duration will be determined based on individual fitness levels to expand 400 kcals. Supervised exercise training will follow a three-phase progression: Weeks 1-2 = 3 supervised sessions at 75% duration; Week 3-4 = 3 supervised sessions at 87% duration; Weeks 5-16 = 3 supervised sessions at 100% duration. Unsupervised exercised will be 2d/wk and the duration will half the time of the supervised training sessions.
High Intensity Exercise
High intensity exercise will consist of 16 weeks of walking at \~85% of each participant's predetermined VO2max and monitored via heart rate. Supervised exercised will occur on a treadmill 3d/wk and the duration will be determined based on individual fitness levels to expand 400 kcals. Supervised exercise training will follow a three-phase progression: Weeks 1-2 = 3 supervised sessions at 75% duration; Week 3-4 = 3 supervised sessions at 87% duration; Weeks 5-16 = 3 supervised sessions at 100% duration. Unsupervised exercised will be 2d/wk and the duration will half the time of the supervised training sessions.
Other Intervention Names
Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
* Has a body mass index ≥25 and ≤47 kg/m2.
* Not diagnosed with Type 2 or Type 1 diabetes
* Not currently engaged in \> 150 min/wk of exercise
* Weight stable (\<2kg weight change in past 3 months)
* Non-smoking \>5 years
At minimum, subject will have abdominal obesity (increased waist circumference as defined below) and may have any additional National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel III Metabolic Syndrome criteria:
* Increased waist circumference (≥102 cm in men; ≥88 cm in women)
* Elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dl), or on medication for treating the condition
* Reduced HDL-cholesterol (\<40mg/dl in men, \<50 mg/dl in women), or on medication for treating the condition
* High blood pressure (≥130 mmHg systolic or ≥85mmHg diastolic), or on medication for treating the condition
* Elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dl), or on medication for treating the condition
* Other major risk factors to be noted based on the Framingham Risk Score
* HbA1c 5.7-6.4%
* LDL \> 130 mg/dL
* Family history of type 2 diabetes (immediate family, i.e. parent/sibling)
* History of gestational diabetes
* History of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
* Family history of pre-mature cardiovascular disease (immediate family i.e. parent/sibling) before 55 for males or 65 for females that can include heart attack, peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, symptomatic carotid artery disease or clinical coronary heart disease)
* Age ( \> 45 years old for men; \> 55 years old for women)
* Black/African American, Mexican, Asian, and/or Hispanic
* Subjects currently taking medications that affect heart rate and rhythm (i.e. Ca++ channel blockers, nitrates, alpha- or beta-blockers)
Exclusion Criteria
* Subjects with abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
* Hypertriglyceridemic (\>400 mg/dl) and hypercholesterolemic (\>260 mg/dl) subjects
* Hypertensive (\>160/100 mmHg)
* Subjects with a history of significant metabolic, cardiac, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular, hematological, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, liver, renal, or endocrine disease or cancer that in the investigator's opinion would interfere with or alter the outcome measures, or impact subject safety.
* Pregnant (as evidenced by positive pregnancy test) or nursing women
* Subjects with contraindications to participation in an exercise training program
* Currently taking active weight suppression medication (e.g. phentermine,orlistat, lorcaserin, naltrexone-bupropion in combination, liraglutide, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine)
* Known hypersensitivity to perflutren (contained in Definity)
* Subjects who are considered non-English speaking individuals
40 Years
80 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
NIH
Rutgers University
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Steven K Malin, PhD
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigators
Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.
Steven K Malin, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
Rutgers University Loree Gymnasium
New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
Laurent S, Katsahian S, Fassot C, Tropeano AI, Gautier I, Laloux B, Boutouyrie P. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of fatal stroke in essential hypertension. Stroke. 2003 May;34(5):1203-6. doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000065428.03209.64. Epub 2003 Apr 3.
Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, Donato KA, Eckel RH, Franklin BA, Gordon DJ, Krauss RM, Savage PJ, Smith SC Jr, Spertus JA, Fernando Costa. Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: an American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute scientific statement: Executive Summary. Crit Pathw Cardiol. 2005 Dec;4(4):198-203. doi: 10.1097/00132577-200512000-00018. No abstract available.
DeFronzo RA, Abdul-Ghani M. Assessment and treatment of cardiovascular risk in prediabetes: impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. Am J Cardiol. 2011 Aug 2;108(3 Suppl):3B-24B. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.03.013.
Bateman LA, Slentz CA, Willis LH, Shields AT, Piner LW, Bales CW, Houmard JA, Kraus WE. Comparison of aerobic versus resistance exercise training effects on metabolic syndrome (from the Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention Through Defined Exercise - STRRIDE-AT/RT). Am J Cardiol. 2011 Sep 15;108(6):838-44. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.04.037. Epub 2011 Jul 7.
Malin SK, Nightingale J, Choi SE, Chipkin SR, Braun B. Metformin modifies the exercise training effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in impaired glucose tolerant adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013 Jan;21(1):93-100. doi: 10.1002/oby.20235.
Malin SK, Niemi N, Solomon TP, Haus JM, Kelly KR, Filion J, Rocco M, Kashyap SR, Barkoukis H, Kirwan JP. Exercise training with weight loss and either a high- or low-glycemic index diet reduces metabolic syndrome severity in older adults. Ann Nutr Metab. 2012;61(2):135-41. doi: 10.1159/000342084.
Potteiger JA, Claytor RP, Hulver MW, Hughes MR, Carper MJ, Richmond S, Thyfault JP. Resistance exercise and aerobic exercise when paired with dietary energy restriction both reduce the clinical components of metabolic syndrome in previously physically inactive males. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 Jun;112(6):2035-44. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2174-y. Epub 2011 Sep 23.
Mestek ML, Westby CM, Van Guilder GP, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. Regular aerobic exercise, without weight loss, improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in overweight and obese adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010 Aug;18(8):1667-9. doi: 10.1038/oby.2009.467. Epub 2010 Jan 7.
Phillips SA, Mahmoud AM, Brown MD, Haus JM. Exercise interventions and peripheral arterial function: implications for cardio-metabolic disease. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2015 Mar-Apr;57(5):521-34. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2014.12.005. Epub 2014 Dec 18.
Tjonna AE, Lee SJ, Rognmo O, Stolen TO, Bye A, Haram PM, Loennechen JP, Al-Share QY, Skogvoll E, Slordahl SA, Kemi OJ, Najjar SM, Wisloff U. Aerobic interval training versus continuous moderate exercise as a treatment for the metabolic syndrome: a pilot study. Circulation. 2008 Jul 22;118(4):346-54. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.772822. Epub 2008 Jul 7.
Malin SK, Gerber R, Chipkin SR, Braun B. Independent and combined effects of exercise training and metformin on insulin sensitivity in individuals with prediabetes. Diabetes Care. 2012 Jan;35(1):131-6. doi: 10.2337/dc11-0925. Epub 2011 Oct 31.
Gokce N, Keaney JF Jr, Hunter LM, Watkins MT, Nedeljkovic ZS, Menzoian JO, Vita JA. Predictive value of noninvasively determined endothelial dysfunction for long-term cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral vascular disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2003 May 21;41(10):1769-75. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(03)00333-4.
Vlachopoulos C, Aznaouridis K, Stefanadis C. Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with arterial stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Mar 30;55(13):1318-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2009.10.061.
Eggleston EM, Jahn LA, Barrett EJ. Early microvascular recruitment modulates subsequent insulin-mediated skeletal muscle glucose metabolism during lipid infusion. Diabetes Care. 2013 Jan;36(1):104-10. doi: 10.2337/dc11-2399. Epub 2012 Sep 6.
Liu Z, Liu J, Jahn LA, Fowler DE, Barrett EJ. Infusing lipid raises plasma free fatty acids and induces insulin resistance in muscle microvasculature. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Sep;94(9):3543-9. doi: 10.1210/jc.2009-0027. Epub 2009 Jun 30.
Vincent MA, Clerk LH, Lindner JR, Price WJ, Jahn LA, Leong-Poi H, Barrett EJ. Mixed meal and light exercise each recruit muscle capillaries in healthy humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jun;290(6):E1191-7. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00497.2005.
Barrett EJ, Wang H, Upchurch CT, Liu Z. Insulin regulates its own delivery to skeletal muscle by feed-forward actions on the vasculature. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Aug;301(2):E252-63. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00186.2011. Epub 2011 May 24.
Clerk LH, Vincent MA, Jahn LA, Liu Z, Lindner JR, Barrett EJ. Obesity blunts insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment in human forearm muscle. Diabetes. 2006 May;55(5):1436-42. doi: 10.2337/db05-1373.
Keske MA, Clerk LH, Price WJ, Jahn LA, Barrett EJ. Obesity blunts microvascular recruitment in human forearm muscle after a mixed meal. Diabetes Care. 2009 Sep;32(9):1672-7. doi: 10.2337/dc09-0206. Epub 2009 Jun 1.
Liu J, Jahn LA, Fowler DE, Barrett EJ, Cao W, Liu Z. Free fatty acids induce insulin resistance in both cardiac and skeletal muscle microvasculature in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Feb;96(2):438-46. doi: 10.1210/jc.2010-1174. Epub 2010 Nov 3.
Anderson TJ, Charbonneau F, Title LM, Buithieu J, Rose MS, Conradson H, Hildebrand K, Fung M, Verma S, Lonn EM. Microvascular function predicts cardiovascular events in primary prevention: long-term results from the Firefighters and Their Endothelium (FATE) study. Circulation. 2011 Jan 18;123(2):163-9. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.953653. Epub 2011 Jan 3.
Cruickshank K, Riste L, Anderson SG, Wright JS, Dunn G, Gosling RG. Aortic pulse-wave velocity and its relationship to mortality in diabetes and glucose intolerance: an integrated index of vascular function? Circulation. 2002 Oct 15;106(16):2085-90. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.0000033824.02722.f7.
Donley DA, Fournier SB, Reger BL, DeVallance E, Bonner DE, Olfert IM, Frisbee JC, Chantler PD. Aerobic exercise training reduces arterial stiffness in metabolic syndrome. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2014 Jun 1;116(11):1396-404. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00151.2014. Epub 2014 Apr 17.
Green DJ, Eijsvogels T, Bouts YM, Maiorana AJ, Naylor LH, Scholten RR, Spaanderman ME, Pugh CJ, Sprung VS, Schreuder T, Jones H, Cable T, Hopman MT, Thijssen DH. Exercise training and artery function in humans: nonresponse and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2014 Aug 15;117(4):345-52. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00354.2014. Epub 2014 Jun 19.
Swift DL, Weltman JY, Patrie JT, Saliba SA, Gaesser GA, Barrett EJ, Weltman A. Predictors of improvement in endothelial function after exercise training in a diverse sample of postmenopausal women. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014 Mar;23(3):260-6. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4420. Epub 2013 Dec 3.
Mather KJ, Verma S, Anderson TJ. Improved endothelial function with metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001 Apr;37(5):1344-50. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01129-9.
Vitale C, Mercuro G, Cornoldi A, Fini M, Volterrani M, Rosano GM. Metformin improves endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome. J Intern Med. 2005 Sep;258(3):250-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2005.01531.x.
Patel C, Ghanim H, Ravishankar S, Sia CL, Viswanathan P, Mohanty P, Dandona P. Prolonged reactive oxygen species generation and nuclear factor-kappaB activation after a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal in the obese. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Nov;92(11):4476-9. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-0778. Epub 2007 Sep 4.
Malin SK, Braun B. Impact of Metformin on Exercise-Induced Metabolic Adaptations to Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2016 Jan;44(1):4-11. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000070.
Selvin E, Bolen S, Yeh HC, Wiley C, Wilson LM, Marinopoulos SS, Feldman L, Vassy J, Wilson R, Bass EB, Brancati FL. Cardiovascular outcomes in trials of oral diabetes medications: a systematic review. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Oct 27;168(19):2070-80. doi: 10.1001/archinte.168.19.2070.
Malin SK, Remchak ME, Heiston EM, Fabris C, Shah AM. Pancreatic beta-cell Function is Higher in Morning Versus Intermediate Chronotypes With Obesity. Obes Sci Pract. 2025 Feb 26;11(2):e70064. doi: 10.1002/osp4.70064. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Ragland TJ, Heiston EM, Ballantyne A, Stewart NR, La Salvia S, Musante L, Luse MA, Isakson BE, Erdbrugger U, Malin SK. Extracellular vesicles and insulin-mediated vascular function in metabolic syndrome. Physiol Rep. 2023 Jan;11(1):e15530. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15530.
Remchak ME, Heiston EM, Ballantyne A, Dotson BL, Stewart NR, Spaeth AM, Malin SK. Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Flexibility Parallel Plasma TCA Levels in Early Chronotype With Metabolic Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Jul 14;107(8):e3487-e3496. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgac233.
Provided Documents
Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.
Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan
Document Type: Informed Consent Form
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
19364
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
NCT04817787
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: nct_alias
More Related Trials
Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.