Effects of D-002, a mixture of high molecular weight beeswax alcohols, on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
10.3904/kjim.2013.28.4.439
- Author:
Jose ILLNAIT
1
;
Ivan RODRIGUEZ
;
Sarahi MENDOZA
;
Yolanda FERNANDEZ
;
Rosa MAS
;
Mirtha MIRANDA
;
Jesus PINERA
;
Julio Cesar FERNANDEZ
;
Meilis MESA
;
Lilia FERNANDEZ
;
Daisy CARBAJAL
;
Rafael GAMEZ
Author Information
1. Centre of Natural Products, National Centre for Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba. sarahi.mendoza@cnic.edu.cu
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
D-002;
Beeswax;
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
Fatty liver;
Insulin resistance
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Antioxidants/adverse effects/isolation & purification/*therapeutic use;
Biological Markers/blood;
Blood Glucose/metabolism;
Cuba;
Double-Blind Method;
Enzymes/blood;
Fatty Alcohols/adverse effects/isolation & purification/*therapeutic use;
Fatty Liver/blood/*drug therapy/ultrasonography;
Female;
Humans;
Insulin/blood;
Lipids/blood;
Liver/*drug effects/enzymology/ultrasonography;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Prospective Studies;
Time Factors;
Treatment Outcome;
Waxes/*chemistry
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
2013;28(4):439-448
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is intimately related to insulin resistance and ranges from a benign course to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD management mainly involves dietary modification and weight loss. Although no fully successful pharmacological intervention is available, alternative therapies to treat NAFLD have shown promising results. Experimental studies have shown that D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols with antioxidant effects, is hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of D-002 in patients with NALFD. METHODS: Fifty patients with NAFLD were randomized to receive a placebo or D-002 (100 mg/day) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was a significant ultrasonography-detected reduction of liver fat infiltration versus a placebo. Secondary endpoints were decreases in the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, insulin levels, serum liver enzymes, increases in plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and improved clinical symptoms versus the placebo recipients. RESULTS: At randomization, all indicators were comparable in both groups. At study completion, seven (28.0%) D-002-patients, but none of the placebo recipients, exhibited a normal liver echo pattern on ultrasonography (p < 0.01). Also, D-002 significantly reduced (p < 0.01 vs. baseline and placebo) the HOMA index and insulin levels and increased the TAS, but did not affect other parameters. The proportion of D-002-patients (12/25, 48.0%) showing symptom improvement was higher (p < 0.001) than that of the placebo group (1/25, 4.0%). The treatment was safe and well tolerated. Three patients in each group withdrew from the study. CONCLUSIONS: D-002 (100 mg/day) improved ultrasonographic findings, indicators of insulin resistance, plasma TAS and clinical evolution on NAFLD patients. Further studies, however, are needed to confirm these results.
