Ketohexokinase Inhibition in NAFLD

NCT ID: NCT05463575

Last Updated: 2024-01-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-10-01
• Study Completion Date: 2023-11-24

Brief Summary

Fructose is a big contributor to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Inhibiting ketohexokinase (KHK), the enzyme catalyzing the first committed step in fructose metabolism, is thought to reduced intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content. Pharmacological inhibition of KHK resulted in a decrease in IHL content in NAFLD patients, but additional health effects are still unknown. In this study the investigators aim to look at additional health effects following KHK inhibition (KHKi).

Detailed Description

Rationale: NAFLD is a highly prevalent (~30%) disease that is histologically characterized by simple steatosis, steatohepatitis and/or fibrosis in the absence of alcohol abuse. Liver fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis, which is a risk factor for endstage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Of interest, recent studies have shown that NAFLD is also a risk factor for systemic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, which is probably mediated by hepatic insulin resistance. Previous research showed that inhibition of KHK, the first step in fructose metabolism, reduces IHL content in individuals with NAFLD. KHK is predominantly expressed in the gut, kidney, and liver where it facilitates the phosphorylation of fructose to fructose-1P, and thereby entrapment and subsequent metabolism within the cell. KHKi in the liver, therefore, impairs entrapment of ingested fructose and, consequently, conversion into fat which might lead to improvements in hepatic insulin sensitivity. However, studies investigating the effect of KHKi on hepatic insulin sensitivity are lacking. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of KHKi on hepatic insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The secondary objective includes the assessment of KHKi on fat distribution, adipose tissue insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation in overweight/obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Explorative objectives are the assessment of in vivo KHK activity, gut microbiota composition and alternative metabolic pathways upon KHK inhibition. Study design: The present study is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross over trial (RCT).

Study population: 14 overweight/obese (BMI: 27-35 kg/m2

), male and (postmenopausal) female participants, aged 45 - 70 years with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (IHL ≥ 5.56%) will participate in this study. From experience with similar studies, the investigators estimate a drop-out rate of 20% and a screening failure of 50% (due to the strict inclusion criteria), resulting in maximally 17 subjects that have to be included and 36 subjects that have to be screened (maximally).

Intervention (if applicable): Participants receive once daily (in the morning) 300 mg in tablet form.

of the KHK inhibitor PF-06835919 or a placebo for 42 days. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary study endpoint is hepatic insulin sensitivity measured during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Secondary outcome parameters are fat distribution, adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and fat oxidation. Explorative objectives are in vivo KHK activity, gut microbiota composition, and alternative metabolic pathways.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit, and group relatedness: PF-06835919 is well-tolerated and has not been associated with major side-effects. The main burden of this study is the large time investment. During the intervention

periods, subjects will receive once daily (in the morning) 300 mg of the KHK inhibitor During the last three days of each intervention period, participants visit to the research facility for a 2-day stay (with overnight stay) for the test measurements (total time investment per intervention period is 34 hours). Moreover, the test days comprise several non-invasive and invasive measurements. The used techniques are safe, but the muscle biopsies can cause some discomfort and may result in a local bruise or hematoma. Likewise, blood sampling can cause a local hematoma. The risk of infection and/or prolonged bleeding is very low due to state-of-the-art techniques and sterility measures. During the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, a very small risk of hypoglycaemia exists. In summary, we will draw approximately 184ml blood during the entire study period. Measurements performed during the time course of the study can potentially lead to unexpected medical findings. Subjects will be informed about such a finding and possible advised to contact a doctor about this. If a subject does not want to be informed about incidental findings, participation in this study is not possible.

Conditions

NAFLD

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

PF-06835919

KHKi

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Ketohexokinase inhibition

Intervention Type: DRUG

participants will be asked to take 300 mg of the KHKi in tablet form daily for 6 weeks in either period 1 or 2.

Placebo

Placebo

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type: OTHER

participants will be asked to take 300 mg of the placebo in tablet form daily for 6 weeks in either period 1 or period 2.

Interventions

Ketohexokinase inhibition

participants will be asked to take 300 mg of the KHKi in tablet form daily for 6 weeks in either period 1 or 2.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo

participants will be asked to take 300 mg of the placebo in tablet form daily for 6 weeks in either period 1 or period 2.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants are able to provide signed and dated written informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
• Men and (postmenopausal) woman
• Aged ≥ 45 and ≤ 70 years
• Body mass index (BMI) 27 - 35 kg/m2
• Hepatic steatosis (i.e. IHL ≥ 5.56%)
• Stable dietary habits (no weight loss or gain > 3 kg in the past 3 months)

Exclusion Criteria

• Type 2 diabetes
• Patients with congestive heart failure and and/or severe renal and or liver insufficiency
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Any contra-indication for MRI scanning
• Alcohol consumption of >3 servings per day for man and >2 servings per day for woman
• Smoking
• Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss > 3kg in the last 3 months)
• Engagement in structured exercise activities > 2 hours a week
• Previous enrolment in a clinical study with an investigational product during the last 3 months or as judged by the investigator which would possibly hamper our study results
• Use of drugs that inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) transporters (e.g. rifampicin, gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, erythromycin and clarithromycin)
• Subjects who do not want to be informed about unexpected medical findings

• Minimum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Pfizer

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Maastricht University Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Maastricht University Medical centre

Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

Countries

Netherlands

Other Identifiers

NL80131.068.22 / METC 22-006

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id