Skip to content
Clinical Trials – home

Rare diseases

Investigational molecules

Locations

Our offerNewsroom

Not recruiting

Study of Semaglutide and Glucagon Effects on Energy Expenditure and Glucose Levels in Healthy Volunteers

Verified siteRegistered drug
Clinical Trials Concierge

Prefer not to search? Our Concierge searches the trials for you.

What is this trial about?

A plain-language summary of the goals, design and what participants do

This research study focuses on obesity and examines how different substances affect energy use and blood sugar levels in the body. The study will test two medications: semaglutide, which is given as an injection under the skin, and glucagon, which can be given either through an injection under the skin or directly into a vein.

The purpose of the study is to understand how glucagon influences the body's energy use and blood sugar changes, particularly when combined with other treatments that affect insulin production. During the study, participants will receive different combinations of treatments including sugar (glucose) taken by mouth, sugar given through a vein, and the study medications. The study will measure how the body uses energy and processes different nutrients after receiving these treatments.

Throughout the study, participants will undergo various measurements including how much energy their body uses while resting, changes in blood sugar levels, and how their body processes different types of nutrients. They will also be monitored for any changes in body weight and any side effects that may occur after receiving the treatments.

The research process

The trial runs in 5 steps – from screening to follow-up. Each step says what happens and what the team monitors.

  1. Step 1

    Initial medication phase

    You will receive semaglutide through an injection under the skin (subcutaneous)

    This medication helps regulate blood sugar levels and energy use in your body

  2. Step 2

    Testing sessions

    Your body's energy use will be measured while resting using a special breathing device (indirect calorimetry)

    You will receive different substances through various methods:

    - Sugar (glucose) by mouth

    - Sugar (glucose) through a vein

    - Glucagon through a vein

    - Salt water solution (saline) through a vein

    Each testing session will be followed by monitoring periods

  3. Step 3

    Continuous monitoring

    Your blood sugar levels will be tracked continuously using a small sensor (continuous glucose monitor)

    Regular blood samples will be taken to measure levels of different substances in your blood including:

    - Sugar (glucose)

    - Insulin

    - Glucagon

    - GLP-1 (a hormone that affects blood sugar)

  4. Step 4

    Additional measurements

    Your body weight will be recorded throughout the study

    Urine samples will be collected to measure protein processing in your body

    You will need to report any side effects during the weeks following each treatment

  5. Step 5

    Study duration

    The study runs from June 2024 to June 2025

    Multiple visits will be required during this period for treatments and measurements

Who can join the trial?

4 criteria

  • Must be between 18 and 40 years old
  • Must be male
  • Must have a BMI (Body Mass Index) between 25 and 34.9 (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight)
  • Must be willing and able to provide informed consent (written agreement to participate in the study after understanding all aspects of participation)

Who cannot join the trial?

15 criteria

  • History of any chronic diseases (long-term health conditions that require ongoing management)
  • Current use of any prescription medications that could affect metabolism or blood sugar levels
  • Female participants (study is only open to male subjects)
  • Anyone under 18 or over 65 years of age
  • History of allergic reactions to glucagon or similar substances
  • Participation in other clinical trials within the past 30 days
  • Any significant abnormalities in blood tests or medical examination results
  • History of substance abuse or alcohol dependency
  • Inability to follow study procedures or attend scheduled visits
  • Any condition that could interfere with glucose metabolism
  • Current smoking or use of nicotine products
  • Significant changes in weight (more than 5%) in the past 3 months
  • Any acute illness or infection at the time of enrollment
  • Blood clotting disorders or use of blood-thinning medications
  • History of fainting during medical procedures
Clinical Trials Concierge

Prefer not to search? Our Concierge searches the trials for you.

Tell us about your condition – we search every trial in Europe and connect you with the right site.

We usually reply within a few days

Verified sites

All sites with verified contact details – recruitment status may not be available; ask directly

Trial locations

Where you can join this trial

Countries are shaded by recruitment status. Click a recruiting country to ask about joining there.

Not recruiting
Not finding your country?

Not sure what to do next?

Joining a clinical trial can seem overwhelming. We guide you step by step, so you know exactly what to expect and how we support you through the process.

See the full process and FAQ

Investigated drugs

  • Glucagon

    is a hormone medication used to regulate blood sugar levels. In this trial, it is being studied to understand how it affects the body's energy use and blood glucose levels. Glucagon works in the opposite way to insulin - while insulin lowers blood sugar, glucagon helps raise it when levels are too low.

  • Glucose

    (both intravenous and oral forms) is used in this trial as a simple sugar that provides energy to the body. It will be given to participants to compare how the body processes glucose when taken by mouth versus when given directly into the bloodstream, and to see how this interacts with glucagon's effects.

What is already known about the treatment

Glucagon - A peptide hormone administered through injection that plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels and energy metabolism. This naturally occurring hormone, produced by the pancreas, works by stimulating the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream, while also increasing energy expenditure. It acts as a counter-regulatory hormone to insulin and is primarily used in medical settings to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), with emerging research exploring its potential applications in obesity treatment through its effects on energy metabolism. Glucagon belongs to the class of peptide hormones and works by binding to specific receptors on liver cells, activating a cascade of cellular events that lead to glucose production and release.

Investigated diseases

Obesity - A chronic medical condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that may affect a person's health. The condition develops when energy intake consistently exceeds energy expenditure, leading to weight gain over time. Body fat accumulation can occur throughout the body but is often most noticeable in the abdomen, hips, and thighs. The condition can affect various metabolic processes in the body, including how the body processes glucose and fats. Obesity is typically measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), with a BMI of 30 or greater indicating obesity.
Trial detailsLast updated 2 Oct 2026
Age18+ yearsPhasePhase ITrial ID2024-510885-17-01Protocol codeVPP-EM-2022/1-0001Estimated enrolment10 patientsSponsorPauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital

sourced from the EU Clinical Trials Register and site verification

Want to learn more about this trial or check if you can participate?

Clinical Trials Concierge

Prefer not to search? Our Concierge searches the trials for you.

Tell us about your condition – we search every trial in Europe and connect you with the right site.

ClinicalTrials.eu

Every clinical trial in Europe, in plain language.

Explore the full ecosystem of clinical research in Europe.

Search trials

Legal notice · Published by CTIN POLAND sp. z o.o., ul. rtm. Witolda Pileckiego 67/109, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland · KRS 0001111334 · REGON 528919042 · NIP 9512598637

© 2026 Clinical Trials EU – European Clinical Trials Information Network

GDPR compliance, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified (LL-C Certification)

On this site, “treatment” means an investigational medicine being studied in a clinical trial. Its safety and efficacy for the use being studied have not yet been confirmed, some participants may receive a placebo or a comparator medicine, and taking part does not guarantee any health benefit. The decision to take part is made by the doctor at the research site. This site is for information only and does not replace medical advice.

This service is not affiliated with the European Commission, the EMA, or the official CTIS system. Most information comes from publicly available international clinical-trial registries, supplemented by data from academic sites, national regulators and commercial sponsors. On this site, “treatment” and “therapy” mean a medicine being tested in a clinical trial. Its safety and effectiveness in the use being studied are not yet confirmed, some participants may receive a placebo or a comparator, and taking part does not guarantee a health benefit. The doctor at the research site decides who can take part. This site provides information, not medical advice. Certain content and visual elements on this website have been generated or enhanced using artificial intelligence (AI).