Berberine and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) (NAFLD)

August 6, 2019 updated by: Lida Nejati

The Effect of Berberine on Lipid Profile, Liver Enzymes and Fasting Blood Glucose in Patients With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most common liver dysfunctions, affects about one-fourth of the global adult population and has a significant mortality rate between 6.3% and 33%.NAFLD can lead to other serious illnesses. The disease is associated with a group of metabolic comorbid conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, hypertension, and hyper-cholesterolemia, which are potential risk factors for progressive liver disease.This study sought to evaluate the therapeutic effect of berberine on the liver function and metabolic profiles of patients with NAFLD. In this context,A six week, open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted in a single medical center at Takestan Hospital, Iran. A total of 281 patients with NAFLD were enrolled and randomly assigned to treatment arm with (n=24) or without (n=24) berberine. All patients had received pre-randomization lifestyle training including recommendations on low-fat diet. Blood examinations were performed to evaluate glucose, lipid profile, and liver enzymes both at the beginning of the study and upon the completion of the trial (day 45). To assess tolerability of the study intervention and any possible adverse events, patients in both groups were required to attend weekly follow-up visits.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

A seven-week (45-day), open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a medical center affiliated with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security in Iran to study the impact of berberine on liver function and metabolic profiles of patients with NAFLD. Hospital employees who met the enrollment criteria were identified through electronic health records (EHRs) available in a human resource database of employee routine annual examinations. Using a computer-generated random-allocation sequence, eligible employees were equally assigned (1:1) to berberine 6.25 g per day (arm A) or no intervention (Arm B). Berberine was administered orally (100 g dried berberine in 5 Liter water boiled at 167°F until 4Liter).). To control the potential impact of confounders on outcome measures, and to balance the daily dietary and physical activity among the study groups, all participants were trained by skilled experts on lifestyle and behavior improvement.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
50

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Iran, Islamic Republic of
      • Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of, 1477893855
        • Sciences & Research Branch,Azad University of Tehran

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients must have an age range between 18 to 65 years(inclusive).
  • Patients with Liver fat content assessed by MRS≥13%.
  • Patients must meet the criteria for impaired glucose regulation
  • Course of diabetic mellitus less than 1 year
  • Informed consent signed

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any causes of chronic liver disease other than NAFLD(such as-but not restricted to- alcohol or drug abuse, medication, chronic hepatitis B or C, autoimmune, etc.);

    • Patients with significantly impaired liver function: ALT or AST≥2 times upper limit of normal;
    • Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes or special type diabetes;
    • Course of diabetes more than 1 years;
    • Diabetics patients who have taken or are taking oral glucose-lowering drugs or insulin;
    • Diabetics patients with a HbA1c>7.5% on initial visit;
    • Patients with severe diabetes complications(diabetes ketoacidosis, diabetes coma or with symptomatic of diabetes coma; dysfunction of nerve, retinopathy, dysfunction of kidney);
    • Patients with a history of clinically significant heart disease(myocardial infarct, heart failure, and/or severe cardiac rhythm);
    • Complicating severe infection,within 6 months after operation, severe trauma;
    • Patients with excess alcohol consumption≥140g/week(male); ≥70g/week(female);
    • Patients have participated other clinical trials within 24 weeks;
    • Patients with a history of drug allergy to berberine;
    • Patients with gestation or possible gestation or lactation, or males or females expecting gestation during clinical trial;
    • Mental diseases patients;
    • Those who refuse to sign informed consent;
    • Any other conditions, which, in the opinion of the investigators would impede competence or compliance or possibility of hindering completion of the study;
    • Patients with serum triglyceride≥5.0mmol/L;
    • Patients with thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
No Intervention: Control
No intervention
Experimental: Berberine
Berberine (6.25 g/day)
Other: Berberine
24 Patient consumed 6,25 g/day Berberine for 6 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum Alanine Aminotransferase concentration (units per liter)
Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase concentration(units per liter)
Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of Alkaline Phosphatase( ALP)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum Alkaline Phosphatase concentration (units per liter)
Baseline and 6 weeks after

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline of fasting blood sugar(FBS)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Fasting blood sugar concentration (mg/dl)
Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of total cholesterol (TC)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum total cholesterol concentration (mg/dl)
Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of LDL-Cholesterol
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum LDL-Cholesterol concentration (mg/dl)
Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of HDL - Cholesterol
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum HDL-Cholesterol concentration (mg/dl)
Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of Triglyceride (TG)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after
Serum Triglyceride concentration (mg/dl)
Baseline and 6 weeks after

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Lida Nejati

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 25, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 15, 2019

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 21, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 6, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 8, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 8, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 6, 2019

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • IR.IAU.SRB.REC

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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