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Sponsored by: |
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) |
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Information provided by: | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00323414 |
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the most severe form of liver injury in the spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has emerged as the major cause of chronic liver disease in developed countries. Among adults in the United States, the prevalence is between 5.7% and 17%. These rates are expected to increase concurrent with the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which are the major risk factors for NAFLD and NASH. In addition to its high prevalence, NASH is also a progressive fibrotic disease that advances to cirrhosis and liver related death in 20% and 12% of patients, respectively. Among NASH patients with cirrhosis, 40% have liver related death. Diabetics are particularly prone to experience these poor outcomes. No therapy has been proven effective for patients with NASH.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether treatment with polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] combined with docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] called Opti-EPA) improves NASH compared to treatment with placebo pills. The placebo pills will contain corn oil and will be contained in a capsule, but have no medical effect on the body. The investigators will determine improvement in NASH from microscopic changes in the subject's liver tissue during 48 weeks of treatment. This means that the subject will need to have a liver biopsy before and after the treatment.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of the four basic types of fat that the body gets from food. (Cholesterol, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) One's body does not make this type of fat; it comes from food sources. These fats are found in foods like cold water fish (tuna, salmon, and mackerel), and vegetable products like flaxseed oil and walnuts.
Research shows that polyunsaturated fats are good for people. Studies have shown that it is good for heart health by playing a role in keeping blood cholesterol levels low, keeping irregular heart rhythms stable, and reducing blood pressure.
The drug being studied, Opti-EPA, is a nutritional supplement. They do not have to be reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like medicines do. Opti-EPA is considered experimental in this study. This means that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for use in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Condition | Intervention | Phase |
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Fatty Liver |
Drug: PUFA (Opti-EPA) Drug: Placebo |
Phase II |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study |
Official Title: | Randomized Controlled Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus |
Estimated Enrollment: | 60 |
Study Start Date: | April 2006 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | June 2009 |
Arms | Assigned Interventions |
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A or B: Experimental
Purified EPA:DHA (360 mg EPA and 240 mg DHA) 6 gelcaps 3 capsules by mouth 2x per day x 48 weeks
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Drug: PUFA (Opti-EPA)
EPA:DHA (360 mg EPA and 240 DHA in each capsule) 6 capsules-3 capsules by mouth 2 x per day x 48 weeks
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B or A: Placebo Comparator
Gelcaps containing corn oil as placebo 6 capsules 3 capsules by mouth 2 x per day for 48 weeks
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Drug: Placebo
Placebo gelcaps containing cornoil 6 capsules-3 capsules by mouth 2x per day x 48 weeks
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Although there is no proven effective treatment of NASH, dietary supplementation with long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's) may be beneficial. This suggestion is based on three previously reported observations: first, patients with NASH consume less PUFAs and more saturated fats than subjects without NASH. Second, PUFAs are beneficial in patients with hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia. Third, PUFAs decrease lipid peroxidation and ameliorate hepatic steatosis in animal models of NAFLD.
We therefore hypothesize that the administration of these PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) will reduce hepatic fat content, inflammation and hepatic injury in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have NASH.
Aims
To determine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have NASH if dietary supplementation with purified omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) will:
Study design:
Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acids or placebo. Stratified randomization will be done based on the NASH CRN pathology score of 5.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Contact: Diane Bringman, R.N., BSN | 216-778-4994 | dbringman@metrohealth.org |
United States, Ohio | |
MetroHealth Medical Center | Recruiting |
Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44109 | |
Contact: Diane Bringman, RN, BSN 216-778-4994 dbringman@metrohealth.org | |
Contact: Carol Hawkins, RN, BS 216-778-4965 chawkins@metrohealth.org | |
Principal Investigator: Arthur J. McCullough, M.D. | |
Sub-Investigator: Srinivasan Dasarathy, M.D. | |
Cleveland Clinic Foundation | Recruiting |
Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44195 | |
Contact: Arthur J. McCullough, M.D. 216-444-2766 | |
Contact: Ruth Sargent, LPN 216-444-3126 sargenr@ccf.org | |
Sub-Investigator: Arthur J. McCullough, M.D. | |
Principal Investigator: Srinivasan Dasarathy, M.D. |
Principal Investigator: | Arthur J. McCullough, M.D. | MetroHealth Medical Center |
Principal Investigator: | Srinivasan Dasarathy, M.D. | The Cleveland Clinic |
Study ID Numbers: | DK61732 |
Study First Received: | May 5, 2006 |
Last Updated: | November 16, 2007 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00323414 |
Health Authority: | United States: Food and Drug Administration |
PUFA NASH Fatty Liver Insulin resistance |
Metabolic syndrome Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus |
Liver Diseases Metabolic Diseases Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) Diabetes Mellitus Endocrine System Diseases Fatty Liver Insulin |
Digestive System Diseases Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Insulin Resistance Endocrinopathy Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic disorder |