CI

At a glance

ClinicalIndex Comparison Record
Phase 3Completed· 91 enrolled
Drug / intervention
Metformin +3 moredrug
Likely dose
Metformin 2000 mgfrom record
Structured eligibility isn't available for this trial yet — see the full criteria in the Eligibility tab below.

Standardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.

Search/NCT03355469
NCT03355469Phase 3Completed

Exercise Dose and Metformin for Vascular Health in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome

Rutgers University·interventional·Posted Nov 28, 2017·Updated Sep 22, 2025

In Brief

A Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Metformin, Placebo, and 2 other interventions for Metabolic Syndrome. Completed, enrolled 91 participants across 1 site.

Detailed Summary

Health organizations recommend exercise in an intensity based manner to promote cardiovascular adaptation and prevent disease. Metformin is a common anti-diabetes medication that reduces future type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, the optimal dose of exercise to be combined with metformin for vascular health remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether combining high or low intensity exercise with metformin has the potential to outperform either exercise intensity alone on blood flow across the arterial tree as well as impact insulin action in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Identification of such outcomes will indicate 1) whether and how metformin should be combined with physical activity for CVD prevention, 2) provide the first indication of whether exercise intensity reduces CVD risk via multi-level vasculature function vs. metabolic insulin action, and 3) provide a rational early treatment for people with metabolic syndrome to prevent/treat type 2 diabetes and CVD.

Study Details

Study Typeinterventional
Allocation--
Masking--
Primary Purpose--
CountriesUnited States

Timeline

Phase 3CompletedFinished
201820192020202120222023202420252026
First PostedNov 28, 2017
Enrollment StartAug 7, 2017
Primary CompletionMar 11, 2024
Study CompletionMay 23, 2024
TodayJul 2, 2026
Enrollment to primary: 6.6 yearsPosted 8.6 years ago

Interventions

Metformindrug

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.

Placebodrug

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 Exercisebehavioral

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 Exercisebehavioral

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.