The purpose of this research is to gather information on the combination Zetia® (Ezetimibe) and Urso Forte® with respect to sterol balance and their effects on biomarkers of liver function in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The study will be conducted as a prospective open label trial with pre- and post-treatment measures for all dependent variables. This trial will enroll subjects with a clinical diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound, including those diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Subjects will be consented, blood collected and a MRI conducted on the first visit. Patients will be advised on the proper use of the study drug and given the first three month's supply of the study drug to take home with them. For the remaining three months, study drug will be delivered by US mail along with return packaging for the prior three month's study medication in order to monitor compliance. Patients will be called routinely to encourage compliance, retention, and monitor side effects or adverse events. After six months of study drug administration, subjects will return for a follow-up visit. Blood will be drawn, an MRI will be obtained and a post-study questionnaire will be administered. Duration of Patient Enrollment: 6 months Duration of Study: 18 months
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
2
Ursodiol 13-15 mg per kg per day combined with Ezetimibe (Zetia) 10 mg per day
University of Kentucky Medical Center
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Reduction in Serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
Determine if Ezetimibe-Ursodiol combination therapy improves liver function tests (ALT)
Time frame: 6 months
Increase in Plasma Lathosterol
Determine if Ezetimibe-Ursodiol combination therapy promotes a net-negative sterol balance as evidenced by an increase in the cholesterol synthesis intermediate, lathosterol, in plasma.
Time frame: 6 months
Reduction in Hepatic Fat Fraction
Determine if Ezetimibe-Ursodiol combination therapy reduces total fat in the liver as assessed by MRI
Time frame: 6 months
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