Active clinical trials for "Fatty Liver"

This research is to better understand the functional impairments of Dendritic cells (DCs) in chronic HBV infection. Aim is to determine if the virus is able to bind to the C-type lectin receptor (CLRs) of DCs to modulate their functions, also, to define the role of viral components and the molecular mechanisms of DCs modulation by HBV. This project should provide a better understanding of the mechanisms by which the immune response is altered by HBV and the immunological control of the infection, and thus propose new immunotherapeutic strategies based on the restoration of DC functions by releasing of virally-induced inhibitions, compromising the infection chronicity

Prognostic Importance of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Evaluation of Pancreatic Steatosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Since both pathologies (PCOS and NAFLD) involve disturbed carbohydrate economy, which revolve around insulin resistance, it is tempting to examine the specific "liver profile" of women with PCOD. Furthermore, it would be of great importance if lean women who suffer from PCOD would be revealed to shere cardiovascular risks with their more overweight peers. Patients - women who will be diagnosed with PCOD following their initial referal to our fertility clinic. Controls - normal ovulatory women who approached our fertility clinic due to either unexplained or male factor infertility. Workup - history for menstrual pattern; Clinical evaluation for features of hyperandrogenism; ultrasonographic documentation of ovarian morphology; follicular phase hormonal profile for validation of the diagnosis and for ruling out other pathologies which may cause anovulation. Liver profiling - The following blood tests will be used for the biochemical profiling: fasting glucose and insulin, CRP, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, ferritin, HBA1C and micro albumin ratio. FibroScan® will be used to measure liver stiffness.

To investigate the predictive roles of adipokines and hepatokines to detect non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, or dyslipidmia. To examine the association or effects of clinical and biochemical factors (lab results and medication, etc.) on serum levels of adipokines and hepatokines in certain subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, or dyslipidmia.

This is a small preliminary study conducted to explore new methods for the potential of aiding in diagnosis of liver fibrotic disease as well as predicting disease progression. There will be a total of 4 visits spread out over approximately 8 weeks. You will be asked to drink "heavy water" during most of that time. "Heavy Water" also known as deuterated water, is physically and chemically very similar to ordinary drinking water. It tastes and feels exactly like regular water. It is odorless and has no known harmful effects at the doses given here. Heavy water occurs naturally, and is a minor component of the water we all ingest daily.

Rationale: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most widespread liver disorder in Western society (prevalence 20-30%). It is strongly associated with overweight and obesity. The majority of patients have simple steatosis. However, in about 15-30% of the subjects, a chronic inflammatory state develops that is referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which leads to an overall increase in morbidity and mortality due to the progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis and in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The term NAFLD comprises both simple steatosis and NASH. Most patients with NAFLD have no or few, mainly aspecific symptoms; and generally there is a silent progression of simple steatosis to NASH and in the end, liver-related morbidity and mortality. To date, liver biopsy is the most sensitive test for detecting and staging NAFLD, and is the only reliable method for differentiating between NASH and simple steatosis. However, the procedure of obtaining a liver biopsy is invasive and associated with patient discomfort, significant complications and high costs. In addition, liver biopsy is prone to sampling error and inter- and intra-observer variability, due to the small size of liver biopsy samples. This method is therefore not suitable for screening large numbers of subjects at risk, or for follow-up of patients with NASH over time. Hence, only subjects at high risk (usually based upon elevated aminotransferase levels, which is not specific for the presence of NASH) are biopsied, leading to an underestimation of NASH prevalence and undertreatment. Further insight into disease mechanisms and risk factors for NAFLD and in particular NASH is warranted, to enable early diagnosis, adequate therapy and preventive measures to improve health status of these individuals. Accurate and less invasive methods to evaluate NASH, and NAFLD, are urgently needed. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to establish non-invasive tools (e.g. biomarkers and imaging) to accurately diagnose patients with NASH. The secondary objective is to show an association between the levels of identified markers and disease severity. Study design: Eligible subjects will be included via the outpatient clinics Zuyderland in Heerlen, the Catharina hospital in Eindhoven and MUMC+ in Maastricht. A subset of eligible subjects has undergone a liver biopsy for clinical reasons. It is estimated that about 85% of subjects will be asked to undergo a biopsy for study purposes only. Liver biopsies for study purposes will be performed during a surgical procedure, e.g. bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy. Blood, faeces and exhaled air will be collected and a FibroScan (+CAP) will be performed during a study visit. An MRI will be performed, to estimate the degree of steatosis. Furthermore, anthropometric data (weight, height, abdominal and waist circumference and blood pressure (BP)) will be collected. The participants in the group undergoing liver biopsy during bariatric surgery will be asked permission to be approached for follow-up measurements 3 months post-surgery. As they will lose weight, which is associated with improvement of hepatic steatosis, this enables assessment of possible changes over time. A routine follow-up visit post-surgery will take place after 3 months. The follow-up measurements will be combined with this visit, minimizing the burden for the participant. The measurements will consist of blood, faeces and exhaled air collection and a FibroScan (+CAP) will be performed during a study visit. Furthermore, weight, height, BP and abdominal and waist circumference will be measured. Study population: Subjects with proven NAFLD by histology or NAFLD proven by imaging, who are undergoing surgery (i.e. bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy) will be asked to participate in this study. Furthermore, all subjects have to be between 18 and 65 years old. Main study parameters/endpoints: Non-invasive tool based on biomarkers and imaging to diagnose NASH.

The RIAL study aims to investigate whether non-invasive measurement of liver fat, iron content and fibrosis are as accurate as liver biopsy specimens in determining if patients have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or steatohepatitis (NASH), or other suspected liver disease. Currently, the gold-standard for the diagnosis and staging of liver disease is a liver biopsy. In this study, consecutive patients will be offered a multiparametric MR scan to assess their liver while they await a liver biopsy. Study time-frame: The scan will be performed in the 6-week period before their biopsy, and results will be compared to biopsy findings. results will be presented at the end of the study when MR data outcomes are compared to gold-standard biopsy dat. Participants will only have to attend one study visit to participate - there will be no patient follow-up.

The present study investigates relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its risk factors, such as genetic background and diseases, such as chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.

The objective of the study is to investigate the development of NAFLD following total pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy and to explore the histological and metabolic changes following the procedures.

To evaluate the role of regulatory B cells in the pathogenesis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease patients.