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

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: Completed
• Conditions: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Berberine

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: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

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

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• 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

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
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

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)	Serum Alanine Aminotransferase concentration (units per liter)	Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)	Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase concentration(units per liter)	Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of Alkaline Phosphatase( ALP)	Serum Alkaline Phosphatase concentration (units per liter)	Baseline and 6 weeks after

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline of fasting blood sugar(FBS)	Fasting blood sugar concentration (mg/dl)	Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of total cholesterol (TC)	Serum total cholesterol concentration (mg/dl)	Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of LDL-Cholesterol	Serum LDL-Cholesterol concentration (mg/dl)	Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of HDL - Cholesterol	Serum HDL-Cholesterol concentration (mg/dl)	Baseline and 6 weeks after
Change from baseline of Triglyceride (TG)	Serum Triglyceride concentration (mg/dl)	Baseline and 6 weeks after

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lida Nejati

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 25, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): June 15, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 6, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): August 8, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 8, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 6, 2019
• Last Verified: August 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: NAFLD, Berberine, ALP, AST, ALT, FBS, HDL,LDL
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Liver Diseases; Fatty Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Other Study ID 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