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Hepatic Steato-FibrosisEarly Phase 1SHIELDNCT06373523

MASLD in Primary Hypothyroidism and Efficacy of Dapaglifozin

A Early Phase 1 study testing Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab and Levothyroxine Replacement daily in people with Hepatic Steato-Fibrosis and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, run by Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh at 1 site in India.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global epidemic with a prevalence of 25-40%.Primary Hypothyroidism is one of Endocrinopathies who are at risk of developing NAFLD/NASH and estimated prevalence of Primary Hypothyroidism in NAFLD patients is 10-15 %.Though First line Management is Dietary changes and… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
What is being tested?
Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab and Levothyroxine Replacement daily
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteIndia
Study dates
15 Jan 2024to 31 Dec 2026
Phase
Early Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18-75 years
  • Patients with Overt Primary hypothyroidism (Low FT3/Low FT4 and TSH>ULN)

Who cannot join

  • Patients with Diabetes Mellitus(T1DM AND T2DM)
  • Patient with Secondary Hypothyroidism
  • Patients with other Endocrinopathies who are at risk of MASLD (T1DM and T2DM, Growth Hormone Insufficiency,Cushing Syndrome)
  • Patients with concomitant other etiologies for hepatic steatosis or elevated transaminases (chronic viral hepatitis infection, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, congestive hepatopathy, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, biliary tract obstruction)
  • Patient with Drug Induced Liver Injury(DILI)
  • Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis or Portal hypertensionPatients with Cirrhosis or Portal hypertension
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Patients with HCC or any other malignancy
  • Drugs like OCPS
  • Patients <18 years of age
  • Patients already on Vitamin E or pioglitazone
  • Pregnancy/Lactation
  • Patients who are too sick to carry out the protocol
  • Those who do not consent to participate in the study

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

India1 site
  • Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

    Chandigarh, Punjab, 160012

Other trials in India

About this study

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global epidemic with a prevalence of 25-40%.Primary Hypothyroidism is one of Endocrinopathies who are at risk of developing NAFLD/NASH and estimated prevalence of Primary Hypothyroidism in NAFLD patients is 10-15 %.Though First line Management is Dietary changes and lifestyle modifications(LSM),unfortunately Adherence to Lifestyle has been poor,rise of Lean NAFLD is on rise, faster progression of NAFLD,evolving risk factors for NAFLD like endocrinopathies,these push need for Pharmacotherapy.Currently therapies for NAFLD patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) are limited, and are associated with various adverse side effects. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can reduce hepatic fat content in patients with DM which is independent of glycemic control. However, the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in NAFLD patients without DM has not been investigated.Magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) is an emerging non-invasive imaging technique, and is more sensitive than liver biopsy/histology in quantifying liver fat change. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by Transient Elastography is a non-invasive method to diagnose fibrosis/cirrhosis with high accuracy.The novelty of utilizing the concept of "drug repositioning" by changing the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in treating DM to treating NAFLD in patients without DM deserves exploration.The investigators propose a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to compare the effects of Dapagliflozin (a type of SLGT2 inhibitors) versus placebo (in a 1:1 ratio) in reducing hepatic fat content as measured by MRI-PDFF in NAFLD patients with Primary Hypothyroidism.The study results will determine whether SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce hepatic steatosis/hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD patients with Primary Hypothyroidism.

Read the detailed description

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global epidemic with a prevalence of 25-40%.Cirrhosis can occur without intervening NASH .Time line of progression is variable - modified by risk factors.Over all average progression from one disease Stage to another can take up 7 years for NASH while 14 years for NAFLD.In general ,10-30% of patient NAFLD progress to NASH ; Of which 15-25 % progress to advanced fibrosis.Amongst advanced fibrosis,20 % Progress to Cirrhosis over 2 years and 20 % of cirrhotics will have decompensation over 2 years.Overall in NAFLD MCC of mortality - CVD>Extrahepatic cancer > Liver specific mortality ( HCC and Hepatic decompensation).Primary Hypothyroidism is one of Endocrinopathies who are at risk of developing NAFLD/NASH and estimated prevalence of Primary Hypothyroidism in NAFLD patients is 10-15 %.

Though First line Management is Dietary changes and lifestyle modifications(LSM),unfortunately Adherence to Lifestyle has been poor,rise of Lean NAFLD is on rise, faster progression of NAFLD,evolving risk factors for NAFLD like endocrinopathies,these push need for Pharmacotherapy.Currently therapies for NAFLD patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) are limited, and are associated with various adverse side effects. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can reduce hepatic fat content in patients with DM which is independent of glycemic control. However, the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in NAFLD patients without DM has not been investigated.

Magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) is an emerging non-invasive imaging technique, and is more sensitive than liver biopsy/histology in quantifying liver fat change.The Dixon proton density fat fraction sequence is frequently used to determine the liver's fat composition.To estimate PDFF across the entire liver, 9 regions of interest (ROIs) of 200 mm2 to 300 mm2 in the area will be placed in the nine liver segments on the PDFF parametric maps.This fat percentage called PDFF is calculated by the following formula; PDFF

= F / (F +W) x 100% The radiological findings will be examined by the radiology investigator who will be blinded to prior liver fat fraction maps.

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by Transient Elastography is a non-invasive method to diagnose fibrosis/cirrhosis with high accuracy.

The novelty of utilizing the concept of "drug repositioning" by changing the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in treating DM to treating NAFLD in patients without DM deserves exploration.

The investigators propose a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to compare the effects of Dapagliflozin (a type of SLGT2 inhibitors) versus placebo (in a 1:1 ratio) in reducing hepatic fat content as measured by MRI-PDFF in NAFLD patients with Primary Hypothyroidism.

A total of 60 adult patients will be randomly sampled from the Endocrinology/liver/Internal Medicine clinics from our institute. Dapagliflozin 10mg daily will be given to the treatment arm. The placebo pill will be manufactured to be identical in appearance to the study drug. Eligible subjects will be followed up until week 28, and will undergo clinical, anthropometric and laboratory assessments (including Liver function test and Lipid profile) at baseline, week 4, 12 and 28 weeks. They will undergo LSM/CAP at baseline, week 14 and 28, and MRI-PDFF at baseline and week 28. The primary outcome will be a difference in change of liver fat content (measured by MRI-PDFF) at week 28 from baseline between the two groups. The secondary outcomes will be proportion of participants achieving remission of steatosis (MRI-PDFF <5%) at week 28, reduction of liver fibrosis (LSM) and decrease in steatosis by 1 stage at week 14 and 28, improvement of laboratory results (including liver transaminases and ductal enzymes, fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile), improvement of anthropometric measurements, and cardiovascular events.

The study results will determine whether SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce hepatic steatosis and regress fibrosis in NAFLD patients with Primary Hypothyroidism.

Being tested
Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab, Placebo, Levothyroxine Replacement daily
Keywords
Dapaglifozin, MRI-PDFF, Primary hypothyroidism
Medical subject headings
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Hypothyroidism

What participants receive

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

  • Dapagliflozin 10mg TabDrug

    Also called Dartdapa

    Dapagliflozin 10mg daily will be given to the treatment arm.Eligible subjects will be followed up until week 28, and will undergo clinical, anthropometric and laboratory assessments (including liver function test and lipid profile) at baseline, week 14 and week 28. They will undergo LSM and CAP By Transient Elastography at baseline, week 14 and week 28, and MRI-PDFF at baseline and week 28. The primary outcome will be a difference in change of liver fat content (measured by MRI-PDFF) at week 28 from baseline between the two groups.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Also called Placib

    The placebo pills will be manufactured to be identical in appearance to the study drug(Dapaglifozin 10 mg tablet).

  • Levothyroxine Replacement dailyDrug

    Also called LT4

    Levothyroxine Replacement daily for 28 weeka

Study groups in NCT06373523
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dapagliflozin Plus levothyroxine GroupExperimentalDapagliflozin 10mg daily will be given to the treatment arm in addition to Levothyroxine replacement therapy. Eligible subjects will be followed up until week 28, and will undergo clinical, anthropometric and laboratory assessments (including liver function test and lipid profile) at baseline, week 14 and week 28. They will undergo LSM and CAP By Transient Elastography at baseline, week 14 and week 28, and MRI-PDFF at baseline and week 28. The primary outcome will be a difference in change of liver fat content (measured by MRI-PDFF) at week 28 from baseline between the two groups. The secondary outcomes will be proportion of participants achieving remission of steatosis (MRIPDFF <5%) at week 28, reduction of liver fibrosis (LSM) and decrease in hepatic steatosis by 1 stage at week 14 and 28 and other secondary outcomes as mentioned above.
Receives: Drug: Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab; Drug: Levothyroxine Replacement daily
Levothyroxine daily and Placebo pill identical to Dapaglifozin for 28 weeksPlacebo comparatorThe placebo pill will be manufactured to identical in appearance to the Dapaglifozin will be given to the Placebo arm in addition to Levothyroxine replacement therapy. Eligible subjects will be followed up until week 28, and will undergo clinical, anthropometric and laboratory assessments (including liver function test and lipid profile) at baseline, week 14 and week 28. They will undergo LSM and CAP By Transient Elastography at baseline, week 14 and week 28, and MRI-PDFF at baseline and week 28. The primary outcome will be a difference in change of liver fat content (measured by MRI-PDFF) at week 28 from baseline between the two groups. The secondary outcomes will be proportion of participants achieving remission of steatosis (MRI PDFF <5%) at week 28, reduction of liver fibrosis (LSM) and decrease in hepatic steatosis by 1 stage at week 14 and 28 and other secondary outcomes as mentioned above.
Receives: Drug: Placebo; Drug: Levothyroxine Replacement daily

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in liver fat content

    Difference in the change in liver fat content between the two groups at week 28 from the baseline as measured by MRI-PDFF

    Measured: 28 weeks

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Proportion of participants achieving 1 Stage decrease in steatosis at 6 months asassessed by Transient Elastography

    Proportion of participants achieving 1 Stage decrease in steatosis at 6 months as assessed by Transient Elastography

    Measured: 28 weeks

  2. Changes in Improvement in hepatic fibrosis measured by non invasive parameters like Fib4 score at 3 and 6 months

    Changes in Improvement in hepatic fibrosis measured by non invasive parameters like Fib4 score at 3 and 6 months

    Measured: 28 weeks

  3. Changes in Lipid Profile at 3 and 6 months

    Changes in Lipid Profile at 3 and 6 months

    Measured: 28 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 Apr 2024
  2. Study start15 Jan 2024
  3. Primary completion15 Jun 2026
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)

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
Early Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Eligible subjects will be randomly allocated to either the Dapagliflozin group or placebo group (i.e. control group)
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06373523
Sponsor's protocol ID
SHIELD
Acronym
SHIELD
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
17 Dec 2023
Last updated
28 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Early Phase 1 study testing Dapagliflozin 10mg Tab and Levothyroxine Replacement daily in people with Hepatic Steato-Fibrosis and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, run by Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh at 1 site in India.

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 2 inclusion and 13 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Aug 2026. 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 India. 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?

Early Phase 1 (sometimes called Phase 0) studies give a very small amount of a treatment to a few people, mainly to see how the body handles it.

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

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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?

Change in liver fat content (time frame: 28 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 28 Aug 2026.

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