Linked Life Data

18197877

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/18197877

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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-1-16
pubmed:abstractText
Aim: There is no proven medical therapy for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Oxidative stress and insulin resistance are the mechanisms that seem to be mostly involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in combination with metformin (MTF) in improving the aminotransferases and histological parameters (steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, and fibrosis) after 12 months of treatment. Methods: Twenty consecutive patients (mean age 53 +/- 2 years [36-68] and body mass index [BMI] 29 [25-35]) with biopsy-proven NASH were enrolled in the study. NAC (1.2 g/day) and MTF (850-1000 mg/day) were given orally for 12 months. All patients underwent evaluation of serum aminotransferases, fasting lipid profile and serum glucose, anthropometric parameters, and nutritional status at 0 and 12 months. A low calorie diet was prescribed for all patients. Results: Serum alanine aminotransferase, high-density lipoprotein, insulin, and glucose concentrations and thehomeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were reduced significantly at the end of study (P < 0.05). The BMI declined, but without statistical significance. Aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were not altered with the treatment. Liver steatosis and fibrosis decreased (P < 0.05), but no improvement was noted in lobular inflammation or hepatocellular ballooning. The NASH activity score was significantly improved after treatment. Conclusion: Based on the biochemical and histological evidence in this pilot study, NAC in combination with MTF appears to ameliorate several aspects of NASH, including fibrosis. Further studies of this form of combination therapy are warranted to assess its potential efficacy.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:status
PubMed-not-MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1386-6346
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
38
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
159-65
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Combination of N-acetylcysteine and metformin improves histological steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article