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Glucomannan Effects on Children With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Insulin Resistance
Metabolic Syndrome
Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Registration Number
NCT01553500
Lead Sponsor
Bambino Gesù Hospital and Research Institute
Brief Summary

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached epidemic proportions and is rapidly becoming the one of most common causes of chronic liver disease in children. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is generally considered the result of a series of liver injuries, commonly referred as "multi-hit" hypothesis. Insulin resistance and increased serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) are considered the main primary hits that lead to the excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes resulting in steatosis.

Has been reported that a diet rich in high-viscosity fiber improves glycemic control and lipid profile, suggesting a therapeutic potential role in the treatment of NAFLD.

Aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of glucomannan in children affected by non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
66
Inclusion Criteria
  • informed consent by parents or legal tutor
  • ALT levels <10 ULN
  • hyperechogenicity at liver ultrasound examination suggestive of fatty liver
  • INR < 1,3
  • Albumin > 3 g/dl
  • total bilirubin < 2,5 mg/dl
  • no previous gastrointestinal bleeding
  • no previous portosystemic encephalopathy
  • normal renal function
  • no HIV-HCV-HDV infection
  • normal cell blood count
Exclusion Criteria
  • every clinical or psychiatric disease interfering with experimentation according to investigator's evaluation
  • finding of active liver disease due to other causes
  • corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs or chemotherapy in the 2 months before of the study
  • alcohol consumption
  • use of drugs known to induce steatosis or to affect body weight and carbohydrate metabolism
  • finding of actual or previous level of alpha-fetoprotein > 50 ng/ml
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • diabetes mellitus type I

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from Baseline in lipid profile6,12,18,24 months

Evaluation of tryglicerides, total and LDL colesterol levels

Change from baseline in glycemic homeostasis6,12,18,24 months

glycemic homeostesis will be evaluated through glycemia and insulinemia basal levels and after oral glucose tolerance test

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
liver enzymes6,12,18,24 months

evaluation of liver function test

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute

🇮🇹

Rome, Italy

Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute
🇮🇹Rome, Italy

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