N-Acetylcysteine Improves Liver Function in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

authors:

avatar Manouchehr Khoshbaten 1 , avatar Akbar Aliasgarzadeh 1 , avatar Koorosh Masnadi 1 , avatar Mohammad K Tarzamani 1 , avatar Sara Farhang ORCID 2 , * , avatar Hosain Babaei 1 , avatar Javad Kiani 1 , avatar Maryam Zaare 1 , avatar Farzad Najafipoor 1

Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Azarbayejan-e-Sharghi, IR.Iran
Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, dsfarhang@gmail.com, Azarbayejan-e-Sharghi, IR.Iran
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.10, issue 1; 12-16
article type: Research Article
received: July 26, 2009
accepted: January 13, 2010

how to cite: Khoshbaten M, Aliasgarzadeh A, Masnadi K, Tarzamani M, Farhang S, et al. N-Acetylcysteine Improves Liver Function in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Hepat Mon. 2010;10(1): 12-16. 

Abstract

Background and Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver change is a common disease of the liver in which oxidative stress plays a basic role. Studies are largely focused on protecting the liver by means of anti-oxidative material. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of N- acetylcysteine in the process of liver injury.

Methods: Thirty patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver steatosis were randomly selected to receive either N-acetylcysteine or vitamin C. Liver function tests (alanine aminotransfrase, aspartate aminotransfrase and alkaline phosphatase) were measured as well as the grade of steatosis, the pattern of its echogenicity, the span of the liver and the spleen and the portal vein diameter before the intervention. Patients were followed up using the same method of evaluation repeated in the first, second and third months.

Results: The mean age (SD) was 40.1(12.4) in patients receiving NAC and 46(10.4) years in patients receiving vitamin C (P = 0.137). NAC resulted in a significant decrease of serum alanine aminotransfrase after three months, compared to vitamin C. This effect was independent of the grade of steatosis in the initial diagnosis. NAC was able to significantly decrease the span of the spleen.

Conclusions: N-acetylcysteine can improve liver function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Better results may be achievable in a longer follow up.

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