Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Evaluating the efficacy of Salsalate on prediabetic and diabetic patients with fatty liver: A randomized clinical trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Elham Faghihimani 1
. Masoud Amini 1
. Atoosa Adibi 2
. Zohreh Naderi 3
. Ali Toghiani 4
. Peyman Adibi 5

1 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Radiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Internal Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran

5 Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
Objective: Nearly two-third of the patients with type 2 diabetes have degrees of fatty liver; 
this may induce some side effects in them. This study aimed to find effect of salsalate on 
treatment of steatohepatitis and correlation of fatty liver with metabolic syndrome in the 
setting of impaired glucose metabolism.
Methods: In a double-blind randomized trial within two distinct groups, i.e., recently 
diagnosed diabetics and prediabetic cases allocated in two arms of the intervention to 
receive 3 g salsalate or placebo. All cases underwent glucose and lipid level studies and 
liver ultrasound study.
Findings: Out of 46 patients with diabetes, 34 (74%) had fatty liver in ultrasound; this 
ratio was 75% in 113 prediabetic cases. Relative frequency of fatty liver stages did not differ 
between diabetics and prediabetics. Within diabetics, mean aspartate aminotransferase 
(AST) level of fatty liver cases (23 ± 7 IU/dl) was higher than others (18 ± 3 IU/dl) (P < 
0.05). Changes in transaminase levels following intervention did not significantly differ, 
comparing drug and placebo arms in two subgroups.
Conclusion: According to the findings, if diabetes could be assumed as the logical 
consequence of prediabetic state, it seems that fatty liver did develop before this 
preliminary status. In this study, salsalate could not change biochemical markers of fatty 
liver significantly.

Keywords

Diabetes
fatty liver
salsalate
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 2, Issue 1
Winter 2013
Pages 40-43

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