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. 2010 Winter;10(1):12-6.
Epub 2010 Mar 1.

N-acetylcysteine improves liver function in patients with non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease

Manouchehr Khoshbaten  1 , Akbar Aliasgarzadeh, Koorosh Masnadi, Mohammad K Tarzamani, Sara Farhang, Hosain Babaei, Javad Kiani, Maryam Zaare, Farzad Najafipoor
Affiliations

N-acetylcysteine improves liver function in patients with non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease

Manouchehr Khoshbaten et al. Hepat Mon. 2010 Winter.

Abstract

Background and aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver change is a common disease of the liver in which oxidative stress plays a basic role. Studies are largely focused on protecting the liver by means of anti-oxidative material. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of N- acetylcysteine in the process of liver injury.

Methods: Thirty patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver steatosis were randomly selected to receive either N-acetylcysteine or vitamin C. Liver function tests (alanine aminotransfrase, aspartate aminotransfrase and alkaline phosphatase) were measured as well as the grade of steatosis, the pattern of its echogenicity, the span of the liver and the spleen and the portal vein diameter before the intervention. Patients were followed up using the same method of evaluation repeated in the first, second and third months.

Results: The mean age (SD) was 40.1(12.4) in patients receiving NAC and 46(10.4) years in patients receiving vitamin C (P = 0.137). NAC resulted in a significant decrease of serum alanine aminotransfrase after three months, compared to vitamin C. This effect was independent of the grade of steatosis in the initial diagnosis. NAC was able to significantly decrease the span of the spleen.

Conclusions: N-acetylcysteine can improve liver function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Better results may be achievable in a longer follow up.

Keywords: N-acetylcysteine; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimated marginal means of serum liver tests in the patients receiving the grape seed extract during three months.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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