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Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)Phase 2NCT00845845

Fish Oil and Diet for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

A Phase 2 study testing Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza) in people with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Hepatic Steatosis, run by University of Illinois Chicago at 1 site in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

The current pilot study assesses the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify hepatic steatosis. It will provide preliminary data regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (Lovaza) for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
12 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Mar 2006to Oct 2010
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Males and females at least 18 years of age.
  • Evidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on a liver biopsy performed within six months of entry to this study.
  • Laboratory parameters indicative of decompensated liver disease including:
  • bilirubin less than 2 milligrams/decilitre (mg/dl).
  • stable albumin within normal limits.
  • prothrombin time less than 3 seconds prolonged.
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  • Serum creatinine less than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
  • Diabetic patients must be stable on oral medication for diabetes or have had less than a 10 percent change in their insulin dose over the past two months.
  • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or Free Thyroxine Index (FTI) within the normal range.
  • Hepatitis C antibody negative.
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) seronegative.
  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA) less than 1:320.
  • Patient provides written informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Alcohol use exceeding 10 to 29 grams per day during the past six months.
  • Evidence of a cause of liver disease other than nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on liver biopsy including: viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or recent hepatoxic drug exposure.
  • Patients with cirrhosis.
  • Use of medications commonly associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) including: glucocorticoids, estrogens, tamoxifen, methotrexate, nifedipine, diltiazem, chloroquine, isoniazid, or amiodarone within the past six months.
  • Use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, fibrates (fenofibrate or gemfibrozil) or warfarin within one month of entering the study.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes, defined as a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) level greater than 8%.
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  • Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes.
  • History of jejunal-ileal bypass or extensive small bowel resection.
  • Substance abuse including, but not limited to, alcohol or intravenous and inhaled drugs within the past six months.
  • Use of chemotherapy within six months of enrollment.
  • Patients taking metformin.
  • Thyroid abnormality in which normal thyroid function cannot be maintained by medication.
  • Pregnancy, females who are breastfeeding.
  • Solid organ transplant recipient.
  • History of a medical condition, which could interfere with participation in and completion of the protocol.
  • Use of oral supplements of Vitamin E within one month of enrollment.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • The University of Illinois Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612

Other trials in United States

About this study

The current pilot study assesses the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify hepatic steatosis. It will provide preliminary data regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (Lovaza) for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Being tested
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza), Placebo
Keywords
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Omega-3 fatty acids, MRI, NASH
Medical subject headings
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Fatty Liver

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)Drug

    Also called Lovaza

    4 milligrams daily omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza) with dietary counseling for 24 weeks.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Also called Sugar pill

    Daily placebo with dietary counseling for 24 weeks.

Study groups in NCT00845845
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)Active comparatorParticipants receive 4 milligrams (mg) daily of omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza) and dietary counseling for 24 weeks
Receives: Drug: Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants receive daily placebo and dietary counseling for 24 weeks
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Its Effect on Hepatic Steatosis and Other Factors Associated With the Development of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

    Measured: 24 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as an Assessment of Hepatic Steatosis in Patients With Biopsy-proven Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

    Measured: 24 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Feb 2009 (estimated)
  2. Study startMar 2006
  3. Primary completionOct 2010
  4. Study completionOct 2010

Why it stopped: Terminated due to low enrollment.

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
12 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00845845
Sponsor's protocol ID
2003-0601
Status last verified
Jun 2013
First submitted
17 Feb 2009
Last updated
24 Jul 2013
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Reid AE. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology. 2001 Sep;121(3):710-23. doi: 10.1053/gast.2001.27126.

    PubMed 11522755
  • Bacon BR, Farahvash MJ, Janney CG, Neuschwander-Tetri BA. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: an expanded clinical entity. Gastroenterology. 1994 Oct;107(4):1103-9. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(94)90235-6.

    PubMed 7523217
  • Mofrad P, Contos MJ, Haque M, Sargeant C, Fisher RA, Luketic VA, Sterling RK, Shiffman ML, Stravitz RT, Sanyal AJ. Clinical and histologic spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with normal ALT values. Hepatology. 2003 Jun;37(6):1286-92. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2003.50229.

    PubMed 12774006
  • Caldwell SH, Oelsner DH, Iezzoni JC, Hespenheide EE, Battle EH, Driscoll CJ. Cryptogenic cirrhosis: clinical characterization and risk factors for underlying disease. Hepatology. 1999 Mar;29(3):664-9. doi: 10.1002/hep.510290347.

    PubMed 10051466
  • Marrero JA, Fontana RJ, Su GL, Conjeevaram HS, Emick DM, Lok AS. NAFLD may be a common underlying liver disease in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States. Hepatology. 2002 Dec;36(6):1349-54. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2002.36939.

    PubMed 12447858
  • Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Caldwell SH. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: summary of an AASLD Single Topic Conference. Hepatology. 2003 May;37(5):1202-19. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2003.50193.

    PubMed 12717402
  • Chalasani N, Gorski JC, Asghar MS, Asghar A, Foresman B, Hall SD, Crabb DW. Hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 activity in nondiabetic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatology. 2003 Mar;37(3):544-50. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2003.50095.

    PubMed 12601351
  • Li Z, Yang S, Lin H, Huang J, Watkins PA, Moser AB, Desimone C, Song XY, Diehl AM. Probiotics and antibodies to TNF inhibit inflammatory activity and improve nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology. 2003 Feb;37(2):343-50. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2003.50048.

    PubMed 12540784
  • Listenberger LL, Han X, Lewis SE, Cases S, Farese RV Jr, Ory DS, Schaffer JE. Triglyceride accumulation protects against fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Mar 18;100(6):3077-82. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0630588100. Epub 2003 Mar 10.

    PubMed 12629214
  • Saxena NK, Ikeda K, Rockey DC, Friedman SL, Anania FA. Leptin in hepatic fibrosis: evidence for increased collagen production in stellate cells and lean littermates of ob/ob mice. Hepatology. 2002 Apr;35(4):762-71. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2002.32029.

    PubMed 11915021
  • Lavine JE. Vitamin E treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in children: a pilot study. J Pediatr. 2000 Jun;136(6):734-8.

    PubMed 10839868
  • Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Brunt EM, Wehmeier KR, Sponseller CA, Hampton K, Bacon BR. Interim results of a pilot study demonstrating the early effects of the PPAR-gamma ligand rosiglitazone on insulin sensitivity, aminotransferases, hepatic steatosis and body weight in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. J Hepatol. 2003 Apr;38(4):434-40. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00027-8.

    PubMed 12663234
  • Marchesini G, Brizi M, Bianchi G, Tomassetti S, Zoli M, Melchionda N. Metformin in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Lancet. 2001 Sep 15;358(9285):893-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(01)06042-1.

    PubMed 11567710
  • Kudo N, Kawashima Y. Fish oil-feeding prevents perfluorooctanoic acid-induced fatty liver in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1997 Aug;145(2):285-93. doi: 10.1006/taap.1997.8186.

    PubMed 9266801
  • Neschen S, Moore I, Regittnig W, Yu CL, Wang Y, Pypaert M, Petersen KF, Shulman GI. Contrasting effects of fish oil and safflower oil on hepatic peroxisomal and tissue lipid content. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Feb;282(2):E395-401. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00414.2001.

    PubMed 11788372

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza) in people with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Hepatic Steatosis, run by University of Illinois Chicago at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 13 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jul 2013. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 24 Jul 2013). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Its Effect on Hepatic Steatosis and Other Factors Associated With the Development of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) (time frame: 24 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00845845, which also lists 20 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Jul 2013.

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