Pancreatic Clamp in NAFLD
Insulin ResistancePrediabetic State3 moreThis is a single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled (crossover) clinical study designed to investigate the specific dose-response impact of insulin infusion rate (IIR) on blood glucose levels during a pancreatic clamp study. The investigators will recruit participants with a history of overweight/obesity and prediabetic state (i.e., prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose, with fasting hyperinsulinemia), with evidence of, or clinically judged to be at high risk for, uncomplicated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Participants will undergo two pancreatic clamp procedures in which individualized basal IIR are identified, followed in one by maintenance of basal IIR (maintenance hyperinsulinemia, MH) and in the other by a stepped decline in IIR (reduction toward euinsulinemia, RE). In both clamps the investigators will closely monitor plasma glucose and various metabolic parameters. The primary outcome will be the absolute and relative changes in steady-state plasma glucose levels at each stepped decline in IIR.
Effect of Alpelisib in Healthy Volunteers
Insulin ResistanceHyperinsulinemia1 moreThe goal of this clinical trial is to test a single dose of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor alpelisib versus placebo in healthy volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are the impact of acute alpelisib-induced insulin resistance on parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism (how healthy people respond to temporary insulin resistance so that the investigators can see what happens to how the liver handles fat and sugar). Participants will: Consume their total calculated daily caloric needs in nutritional supplements, divided in three meals, and otherwise fast for 24 hours Take a dose of alpelisib 300 mg or placebo at bedtime Wear a continuous glucose monitor for 72 hours Participate in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) Researchers will compare blood tests before and during OGTT in participants randomized (like the flip of a coin) to alpelisib versus placebo to see how the drug treatment affects plasma glucose, serum insulin, and serum lipid parameters (triglycerides, free fatty acids, and apolipoprotein B).
Alternation of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Cardiovascular Risks After Liftestyle...
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseThe prevalence of obesity has significantly increased over the last few decades. The excessive fat accumulation in undesired areas in obese patients may lead to various complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defined by intrahepatic triglycerides (IHTG) content higher than 5.5%. In Hong Kong, the incidence rate of NAFLD is as high as approximately 13.5%, while 60.5% of obese subjects suffer from NAFLD. NAFLD is found to be a well-established risk factor for chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, obesity is a strong independent risk factor for development of atherosclerosis. It also plays important role in pathogenesis of dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, hypertension. Both NAFLD and cardiovascular risks can be reversed. Lifestyle modification program(LMP) including diet control and routine exercise has been widely recommended to patients with mild to moderate obesity. It is vital to have a non-invasive, non-ionizing, low cost, accessible or widely available and yet accurate assessment tool to diagnose NAFLD and some cardiovascular risk parameters and serially monitor changes to assess the efficacy of LMP. Ultrasound meets these requirements. To the best of our knowledge there has been no prior study similar to this one. In this study, we aim to assess and validate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel ultrasound attenuation imaging method for NAFLD, and to evaluate the effectiveness of LMP in reversal of NAFLD and reduction of cardiovascular risks in moderate obesity. A total of forty moderate obese patients with NAFLD will be recruited in this study, divided into lifestyle modification program group(n=20) and usual care group(n=20). All subjects will undergo dietary assessment based on 3-day diet record and power of food scale. Demographic data will be recorded, consisted of age, weight, height, waist circumference, BMI, and so on. Ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) will be performed to measure tissue attenuation coefficient so as to evaluate liver steatosis and liver fibrosis stage. Meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be carried out, which include cardiovascular risks measurement, liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF), volume quantification of abdominal white adipose tissue, liver inflammation and fibrosis assessment. Biochemistry tests will be conducted as supplementary for assessment of NAFLD and cardiovascular risks, comprising liver function test, lipid, fasting glucose, etc.
A Physiologic Analysis of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty5 moreNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Affecting approximately one-third of the United States (U.S.) population, the prevalence of NAFLD increases to 90% in patients with obesity. In 25% of patients, NAFLD progresses to a more severe form-non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-which further increases the risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In 2017, the lifetime costs of caring for NASH patients in the U.S. were estimated at $222.6 billion, with the cost of caring for the advanced NASH (fibrosis stage ≥ 3) being $95.4 billion. It is projected that the number of NASH cases will increase by 63% from 2015 to 2030. Given the weight loss efficacy of Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies (EBMTs), it has been suggested that EBMTs may serve as a novel treatment category for NASH. Previously, the PI and Co-Is studied the effect of Intragastric balloons (IGB)-the oldest EBMT device-on NASH. EUS liver biopsy performed at the time of IGB removal revealed resolution of all NASH histologic features including fibrosis. A follow-up study by a different group showed similar findings. Furthermore, studies have showed the benefits of S-ESG and Aspiration Therapy (AT) on non-histologic features of NASH. Given the greater weight loss experienced after P-ESG compared to IGB (20% vs 10% TWL) and the more reproducible technique and shorter learning curve of the current P-ESG compared to S-ESG, we aim to assess the effect of P-ESG on NASH.
Porphyromonas Gingivalis and Severity of Fibrosis in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease...
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseMany studies suggest that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a virulent periodontopathogenic bacterium, is associated with many systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, a recent study showed the impact of Porphyromonas gingivalis on Non-Alcoholic Steatosis Liver Disease (NASH). It would be responsible for aggravation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by stimulating inflammation in the damaged liver tissue.
Tocotrienol Against the Progression of End Stage Liver Disease
End Stage Liver DiseaseNASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis1 moreThe purpose of this Phase 2 trial is to validate the outcome observed in a previous trial that oral Tocotrienol (TCT) attenuates the rise in MELD score over time in patients with end stage liver disease / cirrhosis. The study is double blind and participants will be randomized to take 2 capsules of TCT (200mg) or placebo twice a day for 3 years.
Conditionally Increased Output (CIO) Enhanced Ultrasound System
Nonalcoholic Fatty LiverNonalcoholic Steatohepatitis1 moreThis study aims to assess possible bioeffects that may be caused by the use of shear wave elastography (SWE) with conditionally increased acoustic output pressure (CIO). Bioeffects will be monitored by of a series of liver function tests (LFTs) with results graded according to the NCI scale for drug hepatoxicity. LFTs will be collected prior to SWE imaging using CIO, as well up to 7 days post-imaging. Secondarily, this study aims to understand the degree to which SWE imaging results have improved with the use of COI.
Impact Of Choline in Patients With NAFLD
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseThe study will be assessing the impact of choline supplementation in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients using ultrasonography to show change in liver echogenicity, various laboratory tests as liver function, lipid profile and glucose control tests and finally on markers of oxidative stress as Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and Leptin.
Quantifying Hepatic Mitochondrial Fluxes in Humans
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseType 2 Diabetes1 moreIn this study the investigators will quantitate hepatic mitochondrial fluxes in T2D patients with NAFL and NASH before and after 16-weeks treatment with the insulin sensitizer pioglitazone
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, the HEpatic Response to Oral Glucose, and the Effect of Semaglutide...
Non-Alcoholic SteatohepatitisNon-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseBackground: In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), fat accumulates in the liver and can cause damage. Researchers want to learn what causes the damage NAFLD, and to see if a medication can help. Objective: To find out how the liver in people with NAFLD responds to feeding, and how this relates to their response to the drug semaglutide. Eligibility: People with NAFLD and healthy volunteers ages 18 and older Design: Participants will be screened with: Medical history Physical exam Blood tests Imaging: A machine will take pictures of the participant s body. Within 2-8 weeks of enrollment, participants will stay in the clinic for several days. This includes: Blood, urine, heart, and imaging tests For NAFLD participants only: A needle-like device will remove a small biopsy of the liver and fatty tissue. Participants will be alone in a special room for 5 hours. They will breathe through a tube under the nostrils. They will have blood drawn several times. The baseline visit concludes participation for healthy volunteers but NAFLD participants will contine. About 6 weeks after discharge, participants will stay in the clinic again and repeat the tests. They will get their first semaglutide dose by injection. Participants will have visits weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 of treatment. Visits include blood tests. Participants will inject semaglutide once a week at home. At week 30, participants will stay in the clinic again and repeat the tests. Participants will have a final visit 12 weeks after stopping treatment. This includes blood and urine tests. ...