Trial Outcomes & Findings for Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NCT NCT00262964)

NCT ID: NCT00262964

Last Updated: 2018-07-11

Results Overview

Hepatic insulin sensitivity, assessed as a function of glucose production rate and plasma insulin concentration. The Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Index(HISI) is the reciprocal of glucose rate of appearance \[10000/(μmol/min)\] multiplied by insulin concentration\[mU/L\]. The 10000 in the formula is a conventional adjustment so that insulin sensitivity measures are more readable. As yet there is no normal range for HISI, since is a surrogate marker for hepatic insulin sensitivity that has not yet been validated.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

51 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

baseline cross-sectional data

Results posted on

2018-07-11

Participant Flow

Beginning and ending recruitment dates: Beginning - 10/20/04; Ending - 09/24/07. Recruitment occurred only at Washington University in St. Louis.

We screened 138 subjects. 80 would-be participants failed the screening. This was often due to not having Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Other subjects were excluded due to use of various medications or the presence of some excluded disease such as type 2 diabetes. Of the 58 that passed screening 51 chose to enroll in the study.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
NAFLD - Niacin
subjects diagnosed with NAFLD were randomized to a sixteen week regimen of niacin.
NAFLD - Fenofibrate
Subjects diagnosed with NAFLD were randomized to an eight week regimen of fenofibrate
Controls
Subjects with normal intrahepatic fat triglyceride(IHTG) levels (\<10%). IHTG was measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and defined as the extrapolated ratio of triglyceride signal to water signal at time t = 0.
NAFLD - no Drug
Subjects with elevated intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) levels (\>10%) who were measured only once (baseline). These subjects did not undergo drug therapy, in contrast to the NAFLD-niacin and NAFLD-fenofibrate group subjects. IHTG was measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and defined as the extrapolated ratio of triglyceride signal to water signal at time t = 0.
Overall Study
STARTED
11
11
17
12
Overall Study
COMPLETED
11
11
17
12
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Controls
n=17 Participants
Subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride content (defined by less than 10% lipid to water signal in magnetic resonance spectroscopy).
NAFLD
n=34 Participants
Subjects diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(NAFLD). Determination of NAFLD was by magnetic resonance spectroscopy of intra-hepatic triglyceride content (defined by greater than 10% lipid to water signal). This group included subjects later randomized into the NAFLD-Niacin, NAFLD-Fenofibrate, and NAFLD-no intervention arms.
Total
n=51 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Customized
<=18 years
0 participants
n=5 Participants
0 participants
n=7 Participants
0 participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Customized
Between 18 and 65 years
17 participants
n=5 Participants
34 participants
n=7 Participants
51 participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Customized
>=65 years
0 participants
n=5 Participants
0 participants
n=7 Participants
0 participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
41 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 • n=5 Participants
45 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 • n=7 Participants
42 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
24 Participants
n=7 Participants
37 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
14 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
17 participants
n=5 Participants
34 participants
n=7 Participants
51 participants
n=5 Participants
Body Mass Index (BMI)
35.11 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.33 • n=5 Participants
36.73 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.66 • n=7 Participants
36.19 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.57 • n=5 Participants
Body Weight
99.8 kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6 • n=5 Participants
104.1 kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.6 • n=7 Participants
102.7 kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.4 • n=5 Participants
fat as percentage of total body composition
42.1 percentage of total body weight
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9 • n=5 Participants
39.3 percentage of total body weight
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.0 • n=7 Participants
40.3 percentage of total body weight
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.4 • n=5 Participants
plasma glucose level
94.2 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.0 • n=5 Participants
96.0 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.6 • n=7 Participants
95.4 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.8 • n=5 Participants
plasma insulin level
11.4 mU/L
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=5 Participants
21.2 mU/L
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.9 • n=7 Participants
17.9 mU/L
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.6 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline cross-sectional data

Population: number of subjects determined by power calculations. Analysis was per protocol. Intrahepatic triglyceride was determined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Hepatic insulin sensitivity, assessed as a function of glucose production rate and plasma insulin concentration. The Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Index(HISI) is the reciprocal of glucose rate of appearance \[10000/(μmol/min)\] multiplied by insulin concentration\[mU/L\]. The 10000 in the formula is a conventional adjustment so that insulin sensitivity measures are more readable. As yet there is no normal range for HISI, since is a surrogate marker for hepatic insulin sensitivity that has not yet been validated.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=34 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=17 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Index (HISI)
0.8 [10000/(μmol/min)x(mU/L)]
Standard Error 0.14
1.4 [10000/(μmol/min)x(mU/L)]
Standard Error 0.26

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline cross-sectional data pre and post nine hour euglycemic clamp

A precise measure of the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, measured as the increase from baseline in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during insulin infusion(percentage)as part of a nine hour euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp study.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=34 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=17 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Percent Increase in Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity During Insulin Infusion.
173 percent increase
Standard Error 13
303 percent increase
Standard Error 23

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline cross-sectional data pre and post nine hour euglycemic clamp

The ability of insulin to suppress the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue: Adipose tissue insulin sensitivity, measured as the suppression from baseline of free fatty acid release from adipose tissue (lipolysis) during insulin infusion as part of a nine hour euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp study.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=34 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=17 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Adipose Tissue Insulin Sensitivity
66 percent decrease
Standard Error 2
75 percent decrease
Standard Error 1

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to post intervention: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

Population: 10 (or more) subjects in each group would be sufficient for detecting changes in IHTG.

Hepatic fat content as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A PRESS sequence was used. The results from three 10 cubic centimeter voxels positioned within the liver were averaged. The measure is a ratio of triglyceride signal to total signal.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Hepatic Fat Content for Fenofibrate and Niacin Groups
Baseline
23.2 ratio
Standard Deviation 10.2
21.0 ratio
Standard Deviation 10.4
Hepatic Fat Content for Fenofibrate and Niacin Groups
8 wk (fenofibrate), 16 wk (niacin)
23.6 ratio
Standard Deviation 11.2
19.7 ratio
Standard Deviation 8.9

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to post intervention: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

The baseline and post-treatment measures of adipose tissue insulin sensitivity (ATIS) were compared. ATIS at both timepoints is the suppression from fasting levels of free fatty acid release from adipose tissue (lipolysis) during an insulin infusion as part of a euglycemic clamp study. It is the percent decrease from time zero to the end of the nine hour euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Adipose Tissue Insulin Sensitivity in Fenofibrate and Niacin Groups
Baseline
68 percent decrease
Standard Error 4
63 percent decrease
Standard Error 4
Adipose Tissue Insulin Sensitivity in Fenofibrate and Niacin Groups
8 weeks (fenofibrate) or 16 weeks (niacin)
69 percent decrease
Standard Error 2
35 percent decrease
Standard Error 10

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to end of treatment: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

Changes in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity (SMIS). SMIS was measured as the increase in skeletal muscle glucose uptake from time zero to the end of a nine hour euglycemic clamp and insulin infusion study. This increase is the percentage change from time zero to end of insulin infusion at nine hours.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Change From Baseline in Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity
Baseline
188 percent increase
Standard Error 36
183 percent increase
Standard Error 22
Change From Baseline in Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity
8 weeks (fenofibrate) or 16 weeks (niacin)
169 percent increase
Standard Error 28
142 percent increase
Standard Error 26

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to end of treatment: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

Hepatic insulin sensitivity, assessed as a function of glucose production rate and plasma insulin concentration. The Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Index (HISI) is measured as the reciprocal of glucose rate of appearance \[10000/(μmol/min)\] multiplied by insulin concentration\[mU/L\]. The 10000 in the formula is a conventional adjustment so that insulin sensitivity measures are more readable. As yet there is no normal range for HISI, since is a surrogate marker for hepatic insulin sensitivity that has not yet been validated.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Change From Baseline in Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Index
Baseline
0.7 [10000/(μmol/min)x(mU/L)]
Standard Error 0.1
0.8 [10000/(μmol/min)x(mU/L)]
Standard Error 0.4
Change From Baseline in Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Index
8 weeks (fenofibrate) or 16 weeks (niacin)
0.8 [10000/(μmol/min)x(mU/L)]
Standard Error 0.1
0.5 [10000/(μmol/min)x(mU/L)]
Standard Error 0.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline cross-sectional data

Very low density lipoprotein triglyceride (VLDL-TG) production rate, a measure of hepatic secretion of VLDL-triglyceride per liter of plasma per minute (μmol/L/min).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=34 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=17 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Very Low Density Lipoprotein - Triglyceride Production Rate
6.7 μmol/L/min
Standard Error 0.5
3.8 μmol/L/min
Standard Error 0.3

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to post intervention: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

VLDL-apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentrations were measured as part of a VLDL metabolism study utilizing stable isotope tracers. VLDL apoB production rate, a measure of hepatic secretion of VLDL-apolipoproteinB-100 per liter of plasma per minute.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Change From Baseline in Very Low Density Lipoprotein Apolipoprotein B Production Rate
Baseline
0.5 nmol/l/min
Standard Error 0.05
0.4 nmol/l/min
Standard Error 0.04
Change From Baseline in Very Low Density Lipoprotein Apolipoprotein B Production Rate
8 wk (fenofibrate), 16 wk (niacin)
0.4 nmol/l/min
Standard Error 0.05
0.4 nmol/l/min
Standard Error 0.11

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to end of treatment: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

Very low density lipoprotein triglyceride (VLDL-Tg) clearance rate, a measure of VLDL-triglyceride removal from plasma per minute.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Change From Baseline in VLDL-Tg Clearance Rate
Baseline
35 (ml/min)
Standard Error 9
34 (ml/min)
Standard Error 8
Change From Baseline in VLDL-Tg Clearance Rate
8 weeks (fenofibrate) or 16 weeks (niacin)
56 (ml/min)
Standard Error 12
52 (ml/min)
Standard Error 23

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to end of treatment: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

VLDL-TG production rate, a measure of hepatic secretion of VLDL-triglyceride per liter of plasma per minute.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Change From Baseline in VLDL-Tg Production Rate
Baseline
6.4 (μmol/L/min)
Standard Error 0.7
7.7 (μmol/L/min)
Standard Error 1.6
Change From Baseline in VLDL-Tg Production Rate
8 weeks (fenofibrate) or 16 weeks (niacin)
6.0 (μmol/L/min)
Standard Error 0.6
4.5 (μmol/L/min)
Standard Error 0.8

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to end of treatment: 8 weeks (fenofibrate), 16 weeks (niacin)

Change from baseline in very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride concentration (VLDL-Tg)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
NAFLD
n=11 Participants
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride content greater than 10%.
Controls
n=11 Participants
subjects with normal intra-hepatic triglyceride levels
Change From Baseline in Very Low-density Lipoprotein Triglyceride Concentration
Baseline
1.09 mmol/l
Standard Error 0.28
1.04 mmol/l
Standard Error 0.24
Change From Baseline in Very Low-density Lipoprotein Triglyceride Concentration
8 weeks (fenofibrate) or 16 weeks (niacin)
0.50 mmol/l
Standard Error 0.10
0.64 mmol/l
Standard Error 0.23

Adverse Events

NAFLD - Fenofibrate

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

NAFLD - Niacin

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

NAFLD - no Drug

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Controls

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
NAFLD - Fenofibrate
n=11 participants at risk
Subjects diagnosed with NAFLD were randomized to an weight week regimen of fenofibrate
NAFLD - Niacin
n=11 participants at risk
subjects with intra-hepatic triglyceride signal greater than 10% placed on daily niacin for 16 weeks. The dose of medication will be gradually increased according to the protocol of most clinical trials (59): 500 mg/day during wk 1, 1000 mg/day during wk 2, 1500 mg/day during wks 3, and 2000mg/day during wks 4-16.
NAFLD - no Drug
n=12 participants at risk
subjects with elevated hepatic triglyceride who did not receive any drug intervention
Controls
n=17 participants at risk
subjects with normal hepatic triglyceride.
Hepatobiliary disorders
elevation of liver enzymes
9.1%
1/11 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data was collected from baseline testing through post-treatment testing. The "NAFLD - no drug" and control groups were only followed through the baseline testing.
0.00%
0/11 • Adverse event data was collected from baseline testing through post-treatment testing. The "NAFLD - no drug" and control groups were only followed through the baseline testing.
0.00%
0/12 • Adverse event data was collected from baseline testing through post-treatment testing. The "NAFLD - no drug" and control groups were only followed through the baseline testing.
0.00%
0/17 • Adverse event data was collected from baseline testing through post-treatment testing. The "NAFLD - no drug" and control groups were only followed through the baseline testing.

Additional Information

Elisa Fabbrini, MD

Washington University School of Medicine

Phone: 314-362-8156

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place