Prediabetes / Type 2 Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes in China is a significant concern. In 2019, 116.4 million adults were living with diabetes, a number expected to climb to 147.2 million by 2045. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) constitutes 95% of these cases . In Hong Kong, T2D affects an estimated 700,000 people, with prevalence keeps rising. Epidemiology data clearly show that obesity and T2D are closely associated. A previous study conducted by the investigators found that integrin-β2 protein levels are significantly increased in the circulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) of obese/overweight individuals. Given the well-known association between integrin/ECM and the development of insulin resistance, The study hypothesis is that integrin-β2 and ECM1 proteins in the circulating sEVs can be used for the early detection of obese individuals at risk for T2D.This proposed study is critical to provide supporting data for the implementation of a subsequent prospective cohort study to validate whether integrin β2/ECM1 proteins in circulating sEVs can be used for the early detection of obese individuals at risk for T2D.

This exploratory randomized controlled trial evaluates whether a CGM-guided temporary patch pump (CareLevo CSII) reduces glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia (GIH) compared to a Lantus-based basal-bolus injection (MDI) regimen in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroids (methylprednisolone 48 mg/day). Patients with SSNHL are treated with high-dose oral corticosteroids as standard of care, which often causes significant postprandial hyperglycemia - particularly in patients with pre-existing diabetes or prediabetes. No randomized trial has investigated the optimal insulin delivery strategy for this specific clinical scenario. All enrolled participants undergo a 2-night inpatient admission (Day 1-3) for safe insulin initiation and device education, followed by outpatient management (Day 4-14). All participants wear a CareSens Air continuous glucose monitor (CGM, 15-day sensor) throughout Day 1-14. Participants meeting insulin activation criteria are randomized 1:1 to: * Arm A (CSII): CareLevo patch pump using a steroid-wave basal profile and carbohydrate-band meal bolus via the app's bolus calculator (CGM-integrated, IOB-adjusted) * Arm B (MDI): Insulin glargine U-100 (Lantus) qAM plus Fiasp prandial bolus via pen using a pre-printed dose table with identical carbohydrate-band algorithm Both arms use identical glycemic targets, carbohydrate-band bolus algorithm (ICR/ISF identical), and correction rules. The primary difference is insulin delivery (patch pump vs. pen injection) and basal profile (steroid-wave CSII vs. flat glargine). The primary outcome is 24-hour CGM Time Above Range (TAR) \>180 mg/dL averaged over the 9-day high-dose steroid period (Day 1-9).

This study will evaluate whether HbA1c screening can be performed in dental care to detect elevated blood glucose in patients with advanced periodontitis and support referral to primary care. Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth. Advanced periodontitis is associated with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The relationship between periodontitis and diabetes is bidirectional: diabetes increases the risk and severity of periodontitis, while periodontal inflammation may contribute to impaired glucose regulation. Patients with advanced periodontitis may therefore represent a group at increased risk of undetected elevated blood glucose. Many of these patients visit dental care regularly but may not otherwise be reached by structured medical prevention. This is a cross-sectional observational feasibility study conducted in public dental clinics in Skåne, Sweden, in collaboration with primary care. Adult patients aged 18 years or older with advanced periodontitis, defined as periodontitis stage 3-4 or grade B/C, will be invited to participate during a routine dental visit. Patients with previously diagnosed diabetes will not be included. After informed consent, participants will complete or update a health declaration and undergo capillary HbA1c testing at the dental clinic using a validated point-of-care instrument. Participants will receive their test result. Those with HbA1c ≥42 mmol/mol will receive standardized information and be referred to their listed primary care centre for further diagnostic assessment and preventive follow-up according to routine clinical practice. The study will assess how feasible this pathway is in routine dental care. Outcomes include participation rate, successful HbA1c testing, time required for study procedures, prevalence of elevated HbA1c, proportion referred to primary care, completed primary care follow-up within six months, dropout and costs. Follow-up data will be collected from medical records and regional registers. The study may provide a practical model for collaboration between dental care and primary care, with the long-term aim of improving early detection of prediabetes and diabetes and strengthening preventive care for patients with advanced periodontitis.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) represents a critical public health challenge in Singapore, with prevalence projected to reach one million residents by 2050. This epidemic is largely driven by a distinct "Asian phenotype" characterized by reduced insulin secretion capacity even at lower BMIs and a diet heavily centered on high-glycemic index (GI) white rice. While brown rice offers superior nutritional benefits, its global and local adoption remains low due to entrenched cultural preferences, shorter shelf life, and sensory barriers. While the link between high-GI carbohydrates and metabolic dysfunction is well-documented, there is limited clinical evidence on the effects of "functional" white rice varieties specifically those engineered to combine low GI properties with significantly enhanced protein content on long-term glycemic control, metabolic and gut microbiome health in Asian populations. The importance of this research lies in its evaluation of a culturally seamless substitution strategy. By replacing conventional white rice with Low-GI (LGI) and High-Protein Low-GI (LGI-HP) varieties, the HARVEST study addresses the metabolic burden of prediabetes without requiring major behavioral shifts. The findings will provide vital mechanistic insights into glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and microbial dysbiosis, to provide the evidence based for nutritional strategies for T2D prevention and management.

The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the Oral Fat Loading Test (OFLT) determines a different response in terms of the quantity, quality, and kinetics of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in subjects with T2D, prediabetics, and control subjects, and whether triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and inflammatory cytokines after OFLT are potential early biomarkers of the risk of progression to diabetes and the development of complications in a general practice setting. To address these questions, a hybrid cohort study was designed by identifying three groups of subjects: T2D and prediabetics (exposed and near-exposed) and control subjects (unexposed).

The purpose of this clinical trial is to find out whether one type of fish oil works better than another at improving metabolic health in people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some metabolic problems-such as difficulty controlling blood sugar, unhealthy particles that transport cholesterol in the blood, and poor fat tissue function-can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. This study aims to determine whether different types of fish oil can: 1. Improve how well the body produces insulin and responds to it, 2. Improve the quality of the particles that carry "bad" cholesterol in the blood, and 3) Improve the health and function of participants' fat tissue. To answer these questions, researchers will compare the effects of two types of fish oil: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These will be compared with corn oil, which is used as a placebo and does not contain EPA or DHA. When included in this study, participants will: A) Take softgel capsules containing EPA, DHA, or placebo (corn oil) every day for 12 weeks, B) Keep a daily log to record when they take their study softgels, and C) Visit the research unit six times, including one and a half days before and after the intervention, to complete specialized metabolic tests that are mostly only available in research settings.

To examine the effects of twice daily whey protein consumption on blood glucose and insulin in pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals

This is a randomized, single-blind, controlled, parallel clinical trial to examine the efficacy and safety of AMPK Charge+® with and without use of semaglutide on glycemic response in adults with prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. The main question it aims to answer is: What is the difference in change in fasting blood glucose and insulin, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline at Day 84 between AMPK Charge+® and AMPK Charge+® with semaglutide? Participants will consume AMPK Charge+® with or without semaglutide injections and will be evaluated for glycemic response parameters.

The aim of this prospective interventional study is to investigate the metabolic effects of consuming artificial and natural sweeteners in persons with prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition characterized by blood sugar levels that are elevated above normal but not yet meeting the criteria for type 2 diabetes. This condition markedly increases the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, which in turn can lead to complications including cardiovascular diseases. Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and sucralose, as well as natural sugar substitutes like erythritol, are increasingly used as alternatives to sugar and are recommended for individuals at cardiometabolic risk - including overweight individuals, patients with prediabetes, or diabetics - to help reduce caloric intake. Recent literature has reported possible negative associations between artificial sweeteners and blood sugar regulation in healthy subjects (1). Additionally, effects on various blood cells have been observed. For example, erythritol has been shown to alter platelet function leading to increased reactivity in healthy study participants following consumption (2). However, the impact of alternative sweeteners on metabolic processes and their effects on blood coagulation in patients with prediabetes-a population at increased risk-has not been systematically studied. In this planned interventional study, 80 patients meeting laboratory criteria for prediabetes will be randomly assigned to one of four groups, each receiving a different intervention for two weeks: saccharin, sucralose, erythritol, or a control group receiving water. The doses reflect the acceptable daily intake or known doses that are considered safe. After enrollment, participants will visit the study center 2 times: before starting the intervention and after completing the intervention. During these visits, biological samples such as blood, urine, and stool will be collected to study metabolism, gut bacteria, immune and blood cell function. Tests will include an oral glucose tolerance test, coagulation tests, and additional blood analyses. Additionally, participants will wear a glucose monitor to track blood sugar fluctuations during the intervention. The investigators hypothesize that consumption of alternative sweeteners negatively affects blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity in patients with prediabetes. Furthermore, this study will explore how the candidate sweeteners influence the gut microbiome, blood cells and other metabolic factors in this population.

A total of 30 subjects will be recruited 15 with intermediate hyperglycemia and 15 in the tyep 2 diabetes group respectively. Eligible participants will undergo hyperglycemic-clamp/oral glucose tolerance at baseline and after 4 weeks of dorzagliatin treatment.

The study team will invite participants with prediabetes or mild diabetes (HbA1c 5.7-7.0) to join a 5-year research study that will define subphenotypes of type 2 diabetes based on underlying physiology (eg insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, incretin defect, liver insulin resistance) and then test the hypothesis that response to three first-line treatments will vary according to metabolic subphenotype. Variables of interest include glucose, cardiovascular risk markers, and weight. Treatments include Mediterranean diet, metformin, and a GLP-1 agonist. Participants will go through an initial screening, followed by three treatment periods, each lasting 4 months with 3 month washout in-between treatment periods. This study will help us understand how personalized treatments can help control blood glucose, reduce cardiovascular risk, and manage weight. While there may be minor side effects-like slight discomfort from blood tests, gastrointestinal symptoms from some of the medications, and small radiation exposure from DXA body scans-the treatments offered in this study have all been well studied and are known to lower risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease