Research Article Details
| Article ID: | A34925 |
| PMID: | 24829630 |
| Source: | Middle East J Dig Dis |
| Title: | Metformin in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized controlled trial. |
| Abstract: | BACKGROUNDN onalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is estimated that up to 3% of the Iranian population have this condition. Although the pathogenesis of NASH is incompletely understood, there is significant evidence pointing to the importance of insulin resistance. Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent known to improve insulin resistance. This study examines the effectiveness of metformin on biochemical and histological improvement among NASH patients in a randomized double-blind controlled trial. METHODS This study enrolled 33 biopsy-proven NASH patients. Other causes of liver disorders were excluded. Subjects were randomized to receive either metformin, 500 mg twice daily, or an identical-looking placebo. Overweight patients were also instructed to lose weight. Treatment continued for 6 months. Patients were regularly visited and liver enzyme levels recorded. Compliance and any adverse drug effects were recorded. RESULTS In the metformin group, the mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level dropped from 61.2 IU/L to 32.7 IU/L and the mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level dropped from 85.1 IU/L to 50.8 IU/L. The mean AST level in the placebo group dropped from 54.3 IU/L to 37.9 IU/L, whereas the mean ALT level dropped from 111.8 IU/L to 55.4 IU/L in the placebo group. The decrease in liver enzymes was significant in both groups, but the magnitude of decrease was not significantly different. CONCLUSION The improvement observed in liver enzyme levels is totally attributable to weight loss. Metformin had no significant effect on liver enzyme levels. |
| DOI: |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | 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 |
| D545 | Pig placenta extract | Biological extract | -- | -- | -- | 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 |
| D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | 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 |