Methods

Many of the studies at Profil are designed to better understand and describe the mechanism of action of a given compound or to demonstrate the mechanistic concept behind Diabetes or Obesity drugs in development.

With many of our typical studies requiring the ability to execute complex metabolic research methods, we have a substanital portfolio of such methods available.  These can be categorized into methods to investigate Glucose Metabolism and Obesity.

Glucose Metabolism Methods:

• Automated glucose clamps
• Endogenous glucose production and turnover (tracer methods)
• Insulin sensitivity measurements (glucose clamp and non-glucose clamp techniques)
• Oral and intravenous Glucose Tolerance Tests
• Standardized meal challenge testing
• Islet cell function assessment
• Tissue biopsies and tissue culture

Obesity Methods:

Profil is actively working to establish meaningful clinical research standards to better evaluate and understand the effects of Obesity compounds in development.

Profil’s scientists have experience with the following research tools to address Obesity drug development questions:

• Body composition measurements:
  DEXA, bioimpedance, doubly labeled water
• Energy expenditure: Indirect calorimetry, doubly labeled water
• Tissue biopsies
• Cognitive function testing and mood assessment
• Research nutrition: Meal planning and preparation
• Food intake measurements
• Appetite, hunger, satiety assessments

Commonly, there is a need to address overlapping aspects of these closely related conditions. This can be accomplished by combining the appropriate available methods.

Beyond the methods that are specific for metabolic research questions, Profil is able to include all standard research tools as they are needed in an early phase clinical research institute.

Additional Methods:

• Fundus photography
• Telemetry
• 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and holter monitoring
• Sonography, Spirometry
• Other imaging including CT and MRI