Clinical Research Directory

RE and Probiotics in MAFLD/NAFLD

This project aims to evaluate the roles of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and gut microbiota as correlates of clinical improvement in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in response to a therapeutic regimen comprising resistance exercise and probiotic supplementation. The primary objective is to investigate the effects of these non-pharmacological interventions on MAFLD/NAFLD and to identify patient phenotypes based on baseline ANS profiles and gut microbiota composition that predict clinical responses.

The Effect of Alogliptin Combined With Actoplus Met on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Pancreatic Function in Patients With T2DM Complicated With MAFLD

To compare the efficacy and safety of the combination of alogliptin and actoplus met with that of actoplus met alone in improving the glucose and lipid metabolism and pancreatic function in T2DM patients complicated with MAFLD.

Incidence of Liver Disease-Related Outcomes in People With HIV

Antiretroviral therapy can effectively control the replication of HIV, prolong the lifespan of patients infected with HIV, and improve their quality of life.At the same time, non-AIDS-related diseases such as diabetes and chronic liver diseases are increasing day by day.Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic progressive liver disease caused by overnutrition and insulin resistance in genetically susceptible individuals. It was formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).With the continuous improvement of living standards and the constant change of lifestyles, the incidence of metabolic associated fatty liver disease is gradually increasing. Metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) may further develop into liver cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is the third most common cause of liver transplantation. In HIV patients, early identification of significant liver fibrosis and MASH with fibrosis is of vital importance.However, due to the fact that the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in HIV patients is more complex than that in the general population, it involves multiple factors such as the virus, reverse transcriptase drugs, chronic inflammation, and immune disorders.However, the current clinical research on metabolic-related fatty liver fibrosis in people with HIV is still rather limited.

Frequency of MAFLD and Its Association With Nutritional Status and Metabolic Risk Factors in a Rural Population of Bangladesh

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an increasingly recognized cause of chronic liver disease and is closely linked with obesity, metabolic abnormalities, and nutritional status. Data on the frequency of MAFLD and its associated metabolic and nutritional factors in rural populations of Bangladesh are not up to date. This study aims to determine the frequency of MAFLD and to evaluate its association with nutritional status and metabolic risk factors among adults in a rural population of Bangladesh. Eligible participants will undergo clinical assessment, anthropometric measurements, laboratory evaluation of metabolic parameters, and abdominal ultrasonography for the detection of hepatic steatosis. Nutritional status will be assessed using standard anthropometric and clinical criteria. The findings of this study are expected to provide baseline epidemiological data on MAFLD in rural Bangladesh and to help identify associated metabolic and nutritional risk factors.

Pathogenesis of Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Metabolic Dysfunction- Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and Treatment Response of Oral Semaglutide.

This project aims to investigate how Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops and progresses in patients who also have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and to evaluate whether oral semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) can slow or prevent this progression. NAFLD and CKD frequently coexist due to shared mechanisms such as insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Because of these overlapping pathways, a single therapy targeting both organs may offer major benefits. Semaglutide is known to reduce liver fat, improve inflammation and fibrosis, promote weight loss, and provide renal protection. This project will test whether adding oral semaglutide to standard care leads to better kidney and liver outcomes than standard care alone. The study is designed as a randomised controlled trial conducted at ILBS, enrolling adults having NAFLD with CKD (with specific eGFR and albuminuria criteria). Participants will be followed for 2 years, with regular assessment of kidney function (eGFR, ACR), liver health (FibroScan, ALT/AST), metabolic parameters, and cardiovascular outcomes. A parallel animal study in mice with diet-induced fatty liver disease will validate mechanistic findings through liver and kidney histology, gene expression, metabolic tests, and biochemical markers after semaglutide treatment. Expected outcome: To demonstrate that semaglutide slows CKD progression and improves NAFLD, supporting its use as a therapeutic option for patients with coexisting both conditions.

Semaglutide Effectiveness in Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in the Real World Practice

This real-world clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of semaglutide (target dose is 2.4 mg/week) over 154 weeks (3 years) prescribed to the patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and liver fibrosis (stages 0-4) as a part of routine clinical practice. MAFLD is a common liver condition linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome, which can progress to severe liver damage (cirrhosis) and heart disease. Currently, there are no approved medications for MAFLD, and treatment relies on lifestyle changes. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has shown promise in improving liver health and metabolic markers in earlier studies.

Comparison of a Handheld Elastography Device With iLivTouch in Chronic Liver Disease Patients

This single-center cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the agreement between a handheld elastography device and the iLivTouch transient elastography system for the noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis and steatosis in adults with chronic liver disease. The study compares liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and ultrasound attenuation parameter (UAP) obtained by both devices in the standard supine position, and further explores the feasibility and consistency of measurements performed in the sitting position. All participants will undergo paired examinations using both devices in two body positions (supine and sitting). Agreement between devices and between body positions will be assessed using Bland-Altman analysis, intraclass correlation coefficients, and categorical consistency metrics. The study will also evaluate device performance indicators, including measurement success rate, procedure time, and battery endurance under simulated clinical conditions. This study aims to provide clinical evidence on the accuracy, reliability, and feasibility of a new handheld transient elastography device, and to explore whether sitting-position measurements can serve as an alternative to standard supine assessment in chronic liver disease patients.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial Study of Digital Intelligence Software in Patients With MAFLD

Cirrhosis associated with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) can lead to a series of adverse outcomes in and outside the liver, but there is no approved treatment so far. In recent years, the prevalence of MAFLD-related cirrhosis in our country is increasing rapidly, but its clinical, pathological characteristics and natural prognosis are not clear, and there is a lack of standardized and effective prevention and treatment strategies.Through"Digital Intelligence software" to assist clinicians in MAFLD patients with remote data intervention, lifestyle intervention guidance and follow-up management, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the intervention software on body weight and blood glucose in patients with MAFLD.

VALidation of Imaging-based Liver Biomarkers in PEDiatric Patients

The goal of this observational (diagnostic validation) study is to validate imaging-based biomarkers for assessing liver involvement in pediatric patients with established or suspected liver disease. The projekt involves 3 larger studies, each with specific aims specified in detailed description below. The main study (study 1) compares imaging-based biomarkers-with liver biopsy to evaluate their correlation with histologically confirmed liver disease, including fibrosis, inflammation, and steatosis. The main question the overall project aims to answer is: • Can multiple novel imaging-based biomarkers, such as shear wave elastography (SWE), shear wave dispersion (SWD), and attenuation imaging (ATI), be used for detailed, non-invasive liver characterization in children, and if so, how should they be used?

Diacerein in the Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic progressive liver disease in China, posing a significant risk for hepatic decompensation, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and various malignancies. It severely impacts patient quality of life and life expectancy, creating a substantial socioeconomic burden. Currently, no safe and effective drug exists to reverse MAFLD. Rhubarb (Dà Huáng), a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb for liver disorders, has a cold nature, bitter taste, and targets the liver, spleen, stomach, large intestine, and pericardium meridians. Its primary active component, Rhein, demonstrates therapeutic potential by targeting key MAFLD pathological processes-insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Supporting this, a previous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by our group on diacerein (a Rhein derivative) for simple obesity showed that it not only reduced body weight but also improved liver function, Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP), and Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM). Therefore, this study will investigate diacerein-a marketed drug metabolized to Rhein in vivo-for MAFLD treatment using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. The aim is to generate clinical evidence for diacerein and other Rhein derivatives within an integrative medicine framework, providing an evidence-based rationale for expanding the application of rhubarb in MAFLD management.

Clinical Study on the Treatment of MAFLD With Ganzhixiao Capsules

This trial is expected to enroll 138 MAFLD patients in one clinical center, who will be randomly divided into a placebo group and a Ganzhixiao capsule group in a 1:1 ratio. There will be 69 patients in the Ganzhixiao group and 69 patients in the placebo group. Administer Ganzhixiao capsules or mimetics separately, intervene for 16 weeks, and compare the liver fat content、 ALT、 Changes in indicators such as cytokeratin 18 fragment, FIB-4 score, and LSM score. Among them, MRI-PDFF is the main efficacy evaluation index to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ganzhixiao capsules in the treatment of MAFLD.

Glucose Disposal Rate as a Metric for Detection of Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver

A 12-month prospective observational cohort study assessing eGDR's utility in diagnosing MAFLD (via FibroScan® CAP ≥248 dB/m) and correlating it with steatosis/fibrosis severity. Secondary aims compare eGDR to FLI/FIB-4 scores and identify optimal diagnostic cut-offs