Beneficial effects of pentoxifylline on hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and necroinflammation in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
SK Satapathy, P Sakhuja, V Malhotra…�- Journal of�…, 2007 - Wiley Online Library
SK Satapathy, P Sakhuja, V Malhotra, BC Sharma, SK Sarin
Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, 2007•Wiley Online LibraryAbstract Background and Aim: Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is a logical
approach to manage patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pentoxifylline
reduces TNF‐α and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with NASH. The aim
of the present paper was to study if pentoxifylline can improve histological injury in patients
with NASH. Methods: Nine patients (mean age 31.6�7.2 years) with histologically proven
NASH and with persistently elevated ALT (> 1.5 times) were given pentoxyfylline at a�…
approach to manage patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pentoxifylline
reduces TNF‐α and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with NASH. The aim
of the present paper was to study if pentoxifylline can improve histological injury in patients
with NASH. Methods: Nine patients (mean age 31.6�7.2 years) with histologically proven
NASH and with persistently elevated ALT (> 1.5 times) were given pentoxyfylline at a�…
Abstract
Background and Aim: Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is a logical approach to manage patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pentoxifylline reduces TNF‐α and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with NASH. The aim of the present paper was to study if pentoxifylline can improve histological injury in patients with NASH.
Methods: Nine patients (mean age 31.6 � 7.2 years) with histologically proven NASH and with persistently elevated ALT (>1.5 times) were given pentoxyfylline at a dosage of 400 mg t.i.d. for 12 months. Besides biochemical assessment, a repeat liver biopsy was performed and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis was compared.
Results: After 12 months of therapy a significant reduction in ALT (111 � 53 IU/L vs 45 � 19 IU/L, P = 0.003) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (61 � 27 IU/L vs 33 � 12 IU/L, P = 0.005) levels was observed. Steatosis and lobular inflammation each reduced in 55% and six (67%) patients down‐staged on Brunt's staging (P = 0.009). Four out of six patients with baseline fibrosis had reduction in their fibrosis stage.
Conclusions: Long‐term pentoxyfylline therapy effectively achieves sustained biochemical improvement. This correlates well with histological resolution of the disease.
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