Research Article Details
| Article ID: | A27411 | 
| PMID: | 18445142 | 
| Source: | Aliment Pharmacol Ther | 
| Title: | Clinical trial: insulin-sensitizing agents may reduce consequences of insulin resistance in individuals with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. | 
| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Currently, although only a few therapies normalize the liver test abnormalities with/without improving the liver histology, no pharmacologic therapy has proved to be effective for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. AIM: To investigate the role of insulin sensitizers in the treatment of individuals with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: A total of 74 individuals with NASH (male/female, 44/30; mean age, 47.2 +/- 9.0 years) were enrolled. Participants were divided into two distinct groups: group 1 (n = 25) participants were administered a conventional diet and exercise programme while those in group 2 (n = 49) were administered the diet and exercise programme plus insulin sensitizers. RESULTS: With respect to baseline metabolic, biochemical and histological parameters, no significant differences were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Insulin sensitizers significantly improved metabolic parameters (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance score, P < 0.05), serum aminotransferase levels [aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 45.9 +/- 24.2 to 33.3 +/- 17.7 IU/L, P < 0.01; alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 78.2 +/- 46.3 to 47.3 +/- 34.5 IU/L, P < 0.001] and histological features (median non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score: 5.0-3.0, P = 0.01), while diet and exercise improved serum aminotransferase levels (AST: 39.3 +/- 11.1 to 30.0 +/- 8.6 IU/L, P < 0.01; ALT: 66.9 +/- 28.9 to 42.0 +/- 16.2 IU/L, P < 0.001) at the end of the 48 weeks when compared to baseline. Insulin sensitizers improved the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.01). No serious adverse effects of insulin sensitizers were observed. CONCLUSION: Insulin sensitizers can lead to improvement in metabolic, biochemical and histological abnormalities of NASH as a result of improved insulin sensitivity. | 
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03723.x | 

| Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S08 | Lifestyle measures | Lifestyle intervention; weight loss; diet adaptation; dietary interventions; lifestyle modifications; Exercise | -- | -- | Details | 
| S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details | 
| Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name | 
|---|
| Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details | 
| Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D225 | Metformin | Chemical drug | DB00331 | PRKAB1 inducer activator; ETEDH inhibitor; GPD1 inhibitor | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D199 | L-alanine | Chemical drug | DB00160 | KYNU | -- | Failed in clinical trials | Details | 
| D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D366 | Thiazolidinediones | Chemical drug | DB11898 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D311 | Rosiglitazone | Chemical drug | DB00412 | PPARG agonist; PPARA; PPARD | Improve insulin resistance | Failed in clinical trials | Details | 
| D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D157 | Glucophage | Chemical drug | DB00331 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details | 
| D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details | 
