A Pilot Study of Pioglitazone for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abeer Gharabally; Christopher OBrien; Rita Acosta

Hepatitis Monthly

Official Journal of Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases

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A Pilot Study of Pioglitazone for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Author(s):

Abeer Al Gharabally^1,*,

Christopher B OBrien²,

Rita C Acosta²

1Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami, USA & Thunayan Al-Ghanim Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders,Amiri Hospital, aalgharabally@hotmail.com, Kuwait

2Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami, USA

Hepatitis Monthly:Vol. 7, issue 3; 131-137

Published online:Sep 30, 2007

Article type:Research Article

Received:Aug 30, 2007

Accepted:Oct 14, 2007

How to Cite:Gharabally A A, OBrien C B, Acosta R C. A Pilot Study of Pioglitazone for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.Hepat Mon.2007;7(3):131-137.

Abstract

Background and Aims: Insulin resistance appears to be a major factor involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this pilot study, we examined the effect of pioglitazone, an insulin-sensitizing agent, on patients with NAFLD and NASH.

Methods: The medical records of patients referred to our clinic over a 48-month period were reviewed, and individuals with a clinical diagnosis of NAFLD or NASH, who were overweight (BMI|"|25) with chronic elevated liver enzymes were included in this study. The patients were either treated with pioglitazone or advised to start a weight-reduction diet and exercise, in a non-blinded random method based on the treating physicians' discretion.

Results: Thirty-four patients' charts were retrospectively analyzed. Nineteen patients were treated with pioglitazone and 15 patients were advised to start a weight reduction diet and exercise. There were significant improvements in mean ALT and AST in the pioglitazone group at the end of treatment when compared to pretreatment values and to the diet/exercise group. There were no significant changes in the lipid profiles, body mass index or fasting glucose levels between baseline and at the end of the therapy in either group. There were no adverse side effects, including hypoglycemia, in patients treated with pioglitazone.

Conclusions: Preliminary results using pioglitazone in patients with NAFLD or NASH are promising. However, larger prospective studies are further needed to validate the results of our study and to examine histological response.

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Author(s):

Abeer Gharabally:[PubMed][Scholar]
Christopher OBrien:[PubMed][Scholar]
Rita Acosta:[PubMed][Scholar]

Official Journal of Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases

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A Pilot Study of Pioglitazone for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

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