Clinical trial: pilot study of metformin for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a form of progressive fatty liver disease that is strongly associated with insulin resistance, which suggests that insulin sensitizing agents such as metformin may be beneficial for NASH.

Aim

To assess the effects of metformin on insulin sensitivity, body composition, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and liver histology in patients with NASH.

Methods

Patients underwent liver biopsy, metabolic profiling and imaging studies before and at the end 48 weeks of metformin (2000 mg/day) therapy. The primary endpoint was a three-point improvement in the histological NASH activity index.

Results

Of 28 patients enrolled, 26 (13 females; average age 44 years) completed 48 weeks of treatment and underwent repeat

SUBMITTER: Loomba R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2990687 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature