Gluclas: A software for computer-aided modulation of glucose infusion in glucose clamp experiments

Area of Science:

• Metabolic Research
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Biology

Background:

• The glucose clamp (GC) is crucial for studying glucose metabolism.
• Accurately adjusting glucose infusion rates (GIR) is challenging in GC experiments.
• Investigator bias can affect the quality of GC data.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce Gluclas, an open-source software for modulating GIR in GC experiments.
• Provide researchers with a tool to improve the accuracy and reliability of GC studies.
• Enhance the precision of blood glucose (BG) level control during experiments.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a proportional-integrative-derivative (PID) controller with anti-wind-up.
• Incorporates corrections for manual measurement and actuation delays (sampling jitter).
• Features a graphical user interface (GUI) for enhanced usability and preliminary validation in silico and in vivo.

Main Results:

• In silico validation demonstrated median coefficient of variation (CV) below 5% for all clamp types.
• In vivo results showed BG levels within target ranges (e.g., 2.56-2.68 mmol/l for hypoglycemic clamp).
• In vivo CV remained below the 5% quality threshold across all tested experiments.

Conclusions:

• Gluclas provides satisfactory control for tested glucose clamp protocols.
• The software offers a reliable, cost-effective solution to reduce investigator bias.
• Further in vivo validation is recommended, but preliminary results are promising for improving GC experiment quality.