A pilot study to explore the metabolic effect and safety of a 3-week course of therapy with MET-3 in obese subjects

This is an open label, single center, uncontrolled pilot study of 20 participants; each group will receive a different dose of MET-3. Each group will have 4-6 females, 4-6 participants with BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m² and the remainder with BMI 35-39.9 kg/m.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or non-pregnant, non-lactating females who are taking adequate contraceptive precaution, aged 18 to 75 years inclusive;

2. BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 and <40.0 kg/m2;

3. Stable body weight (±4 kg) for the past 4 months with no intention to gain or lose weight;

4. Fasting serum triglycerides <6 mmol/L (<532 mg/dL) at screening;

5. Fasting serum glucose <7.0 mmol/L (<126 mg/dl) and A1c<6.5% at screening

6. Blood pressure <160/100.

7. AST, ALT and ALP ≤1.8 times the upper limit of normal (liver function) at screening;

8. Serum creatinine < 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (kidney function) at screening;

9. At least one of the following:

   • Fasting serum glucose >5.6 mmol/L
   • HbA1c > 6.0%
   • Fasting triglycerides >1.70 mmol/L (150 mg/dl)
   • AST > upper limit of normal
   • Blood pressure, systolic >140 mmHg and/or diastolic >90 mmHg

10. Willing to maintain habitual diet, physical activity pattern, and body weight throughout the trial;

11. Willing to abstain from strenuous exercise, consuming alcoholic drinks 24 hours before study days and during study days;

12. Willing to maintain current dietary supplement and medication use throughout the trial. On test days, subject agrees to bring any dietary supplements or medications taken in the morning with them to GI labs to take just prior to the glucose test meal;

13. Subject is not currently participating nor recently (within 30 days of screening) participated in a clinical trial involving long-term exposure (greater than 24 hours) to an investigational drug, nutritional supplement or lifestyle modification;

14. Understanding the study procedures and willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study and authorization to release relevant protected health information to the study investigator and other authorized agents as indicated in the consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Failure to meet any one of the inclusion criteria.
2. Smokers
3. Hemoglobin measurements of <120g/L for females and <130g/L for males (as per World Health Organization [WHO] criteria for anemia)
4. Known history of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis, a history or presence of clinically important endocrine conditions (including Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus), pulmonary, biliary or gastrointestinal (GI) disorders or new onset cardiovascular disease within 6 months of screening (including, but not limited to, atherosclerotic disease, history of myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, stroke).
5. Use of medications known to influence carbohydrate metabolism, gastrointestinal function or appetite, including, but not limited to adrenergic blockers, diuretics, thiazolidinediones, metformin and systemic corticosteroids within 4 weeks of the screening visit, or with any condition which might, in the opinion of the Investigator, either: 1) make participation dangerous to the subject or to others, 2) affect the results, or 3) influence the ability of the subject to comply with study procedures.
6. Major trauma or surgical event within 3 months of screening.
7. Unwillingness or inability to comply with the experimental procedures and to follow GI Labs safety guidelines.
8. Known intolerance, sensitivity or allergy to any ingredients in the investigational agent.
9. Extreme dietary habits, as judged by the Investigator (i.e. Atkins diet, very high protein diets, etc.).
10. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg as defined by the average blood pressure measured at screening.
11. Presence of any signs or symptoms of an active infection within 5 d prior to any test visit. If an infection occurs during the study period, test visits should be rescheduled until all signs and symptoms have resolved and any treatment (i.e. antibiotic therapy) has been completed at least 5 d prior to each test visit.
12. History of cancer in the prior two years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer.
13. Recent history (within 12 months of screening) or strong potential for alcohol or substance abuse. Alcohol abuse is defined as > 14 drinks per week (1 drink=12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits).
14. Pregnancy or breastfeeding

4 - 6 non-pregnant, non-lactating females in each group of 10 subjects