| Abstract | BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a logical approach to manage patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pentoxifylline reduces TNF-alpha and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with NASH. The aim of the present paper was to study if pentoxifylline can improve histological injury in patients with NASH. METHODS: Nine patients (mean age 31.6 +/- 7.2 years) with histologically proven NASH and with persistently elevated ALT (>1.5 times) were given pentoxyfylline at a dosage of 400 mg t.i.d. for 12 months. Besides biochemical assessment, a repeat liver biopsy was performed and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis was compared. RESULTS: After 12 months of therapy a significant reduction in ALT (111 +/- 53 IU/L vs 45 +/- 19 IU/L, P = 0.003) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (61 +/- 27 IU/L vs 33 +/- 12 IU/L, P = 0.005) levels was observed. Steatosis and lobular inflammation each reduced in 55% and six (67%) patients down-staged on Brunt's staging (P = 0.009). Four out of six patients with baseline fibrosis had reduction in their fibrosis stage. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term pentoxyfylline therapy effectively achieves sustained biochemical improvement. This correlates well with histological resolution of the disease. |
| Authors | Sanjaya K Satapathy, Puja Sakhuja, Veena Malhotra, Barjesh C Sharma, Shiv K Sarin
(Affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, GB Plant Hospital, New Delhi, India.)
|
| Journal | Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
(J Gastroenterol Hepatol)
Vol. 22
Issue 5
Pg. 634-8
(May 2007)
ISSN: 0815-9319 Australia |
| PMID | 17444848
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Protective Agents
- Pentoxifylline
- Aspartate Aminotransferases
- Alanine Transaminase
|
| Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adult
- Alanine Transaminase
(blood)
- Aspartate Aminotransferases
(blood)
- Fatty Liver
(complications, drug therapy, enzymology, pathology)
- Female
- Hepatitis
(complications, drug therapy, enzymology, pathology)
- Humans
- Liver
(drug effects, enzymology, pathology)
- Liver Cirrhosis
(drug therapy, enzymology, etiology, pathology)
- Male
- Necrosis
- Pentoxifylline
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Protective Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Treatment Outcome
|
