Investigating effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver parameters: a randomized trial

Background and objective: The correlation between the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a controversial one. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on liver function tests and lipid profiles and to compare its effects with exercise therapy and diet alone. Method: This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. One hundred patients with NAFLD having a positive test for urea breath testing were randomly assigned into one of the intervention and comparison groups. The diet and physical activity program were given to two groups of patients for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. In addition to the above therapy, the patients in the intervention group also received HP treatment for 2weeks. The data corresponding to anthropometric and clinical features before and after the intervention were collected in both groups and compared using appropriate statistical methods. Results: After the treatment interventions, the variables of weight, BMI, blood glucose, triglyceride, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were significantly decreased in both groups (p < .05). In the between-group comparisons, only ALT was significantly lower in the intervention group (HP) (p < .05). Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that the eradication of Helicobacter pylori could significantly improve the ALT index, but it had no additional effect on changes in metabolic indicators. Trial registration: Registration number: IRCT2015042020951N2 Name of trial registry: The study of treatment of Helicobacter pylori in improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease The date of registration: 2015-05-12 Where the full trial protocol can be accessed: https://fa.irct.ir/trial/18489 Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Helicobacter pylori, Alanine transaminase, Aspartate aminotransferase

Treatment Outcome in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: A Four Years Survey Among Iranian Patients

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is universal. Side effects of its treatment are observed in many patients. The present study was designed to evaluate treatment outcome and side effects of the treatment in chronic HCV infection. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted prospectively on patients with hepatitis C infection. They had been treated with the standard drug regimen, if indicated. They were followed for treatment response, side effects of therapy, and its related factors. Findings: From ninety one patients, eighty four persons finished their treatment course. They comprised 71 (84.5%) males and 13 (15.5%) females. Their mean age was 41.5± 11.90 years (20-69 years). Genotype 3 was the most common virus genotype (51.2%). Sustained virologic response (SVR) was 84.5% for genotype 3 and 47.5% for genotype 1. Decrease in hemoglobin (43%), weakness and fatigue (26%), neutropenia (13%), and thrombocytopenia (13%) were the most common side effects of the treatment. Seven patients can not finish their treatment course, because of the side effects. Conclusion: Genotype 3, viral load less than 600000, and more than 3- fold rise in AST are associated with higher SVR. Early administration of the added drugs such as erythropoietin and G-CSF to not reduce the drug doses were also influential. Keywords: chronic hepatitis C, SVR, Peg-interferon, α-2a pegaferon, ribavirin, treatmen

Investigating effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on improvement of nonalcoholic fatty liver parameters: a randomized trial

Background and objective: The correlation between the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a controversial one. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on liver function tests and lipid profiles and to compare its effects with exercise therapy and diet alone. Method: This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. One hundred patients with NAFLD having a positive test for urea breath testing were randomly assigned into one of the intervention and comparison groups. The diet and physical activity program were given to two groups of patients for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. In addition to the above therapy, the patients in the intervention group also received HP treatment for 2weeks. The data corresponding to anthropometric and clinical features before and after the intervention were collected in both groups and compared using appropriate statistical methods. Results: After the treatment interventions, the variables of weight, BMI, blood glucose, triglyceride, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were significantly decreased in both groups (p < .05). In the between-group comparisons, only ALT was significantly lower in the intervention group (HP) (p < .05). Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that the eradication of Helicobacter pylori could significantly improve the ALT index, but it had no additional effect on changes in metabolic indicators. Trial registration: Registration number: IRCT2015042020951N2 Name of trial registry: The study of treatment of Helicobacter pylori in improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease The date of registration: 2015-05-12 Where the full trial protocol can be accessed: https://fa.irct.ir/trial/18489 Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Helicobacter pylori, Alanine transaminase, Aspartate aminotransferase