Nutritional Counseling vs. Nutritional Supplements for NASH - a Randomized Prospective, Open Label Pilot Study (NucesNASH)
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Fatty Liver, Nonalcoholic
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease focused on measuring Histologically confirmed NASH, Hepatocyte Injury determined by M30 antigen
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Elevated M30 antigen levels (cutoff: >200 - 800 U/L) at screening AND hepatic steatosis on ultrasound
OR histologically confirmed NASH
- Age 18 to 75 years
Exclusion Criteria:
- Alcohol intake of more than 30 g/d (men) or 20 g/d (women)
- Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), Vitamin E or other investigational NASH drugs 3 months prior to randomization
- Treatment with medications or substances that may induce secondary NASH (e.g., tamoxifen, corticosteroids, amiodarone, methotrexate) or ameliorate NASH (TNF-antagonists)
- Treatment with phenprocoumon or warfarin
- Hepatocellular carcinoma or non-hepatic malignancy
- Decompensated cirrhosis (Child B,C) or a history of decompensation
- Liver disease unrelated to NASH, including chronic viral hepatitis B/D or C, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson's disease or clinical manifest iron overload
- Bariatric surgery within the last 5 years
- BMI <18,5 kg/m2 or BMI >45 kg/m2
- Liver transplantation
- Heart failure (New York Heart Association Class II - IV)
- Myocardial infarction, instable coronary artery disease , coronary artery intervention or stroke in the previous 6 months
- Instable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Instable renal insufficiency (changes in serum creatinin > 50% in the last 3 month) or terminal renal insufficiency requiring dialysis
- Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure > 180/90 despite therapy)
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus defined by hemoglobin A1c > 9
- Food allergies requiring strictly dietary adherence
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Chronic pancreatitis or history of recurring acute pancreatitis
Sites / Locations
- Institut für Ernährungswissenschaften, University Jena
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenber Univeristy
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Experimental
Experimental
Nutritional Counseling
Nutritional Counseling and LCS
Lactobacillus Casei Shirota
The nutritional counseling group will receive dietary counseling focusing on a reduction of fructose intake by a trained nutritionist for 12 weeks every 3 weeks.
The dietary supplement LCS (Lactobacillus casei shirota ) will be given 2 times a day for 12 weeks in addition to the nutritional counseling every 3 weeks.
The dietary supplement LCS (Lactobacillus casei shirota ) will be given 2 times a day for 12 weeks.