Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association
-
Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Dec 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe fatty acid-bile acid conjugate Aramchol reduces liver fat content in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
We investigated the effects of the fatty acid-bile acid conjugate 3β-arachidyl-amido, 7α-12α-dihydroxy, 5β-cholan-24-oic acid (Aramchol; Trima Israel Pharmaceutical Products Ltd, Maabarot, Israel) in a phase 2 trial of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ⋯ Three months' administration of the fatty acid-bile acid conjugate Aramchol is safe, tolerable, and significantly reduces liver fat content in patients with NAFLD. The reduction in liver fat content occurred in a dose-dependent manner and was associated with a trend of metabolic improvements, indicating that Aramchol might be used for the treatment of fatty liver disease. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01094158.
-
Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Dec 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialResveratrol does not benefit patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by accumulation of hepatic triglycerides (steatosis), is associated with abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Although weight loss via calorie restriction reduces features of NAFLD, there is no pharmacologic therapy. Resveratrol is a polyphenol that prevents high-energy diet-induced steatosis and insulin resistance in animals by up-regulating pathways that regulate energy metabolism. We performed a placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects of resveratrol in patients with NAFLD. ⋯ Eight weeks administration of resveratrol did not significantly improve any features of NAFLD, compared with placebo, but it increased hepatic stress, based on observed increases in levels of liver enzymes. Further studies are needed to determine whether agents that are purported to mimic calorie restriction, such as resveratrol, are safe and effective for complications of obesity. Clinical trials registration no: ACTRN12612001135808.
-
Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Dec 2014
Increased incidence of critical illness among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based study.
Little is known about how often, and for what reasons, patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We compared incidences of ICU admission, characteristics of critical illness, and mortality after ICU admission between patients with IBD and the general population. ⋯ Patients with IBD have a higher risk for admission to the ICU than the general population, and increased mortality 1 year after admission. These findings underscore the potential severity of IBD.