Investigation of the Efficacy of a Probiotic Mixture in Moderate Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A Mechanistic Trial

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a specific probiotic mixture can improve liver health in adults with moderate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The main questions it aims to answer are: Can the probiotics improve liver fat and stiffness as measured by non-invasive imaging (FibroScan® CAP and FAST scores)? Does the probiotic affect other health markers like cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation, and gut bacteria? Researchers will compare people taking the probiotic to those taking a placebo (a capsule with no active ingredients) to see if the probiotic has beneficial effects. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to take either the probiotic or placebo daily for 6 months. Attend 3 study visits (at the start, 3 months, and 6 months). Provide blood and stool samples. Undergo liver scans (FibroScan®). Complete a health and nutrition questionnaire. This study includes adults aged 18-65 with moderate MASLD and certain metabolic health conditions. Participants must not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications or supplements that could interfere with the study.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged from 18 to 75 years old
* BMI 25 - 42kg/m2
* Diagnosed with MASLD and CAP value \> 268 dB/m evaluated by FibroScan®
* High ALT levels (\>30 U/L in males and \>19 U/L in females)
* Having at least three of the following features compatible with metabolic syndrome:

  i. Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in males and ≥ 88 cm in females. ii. Fasting serum glucose (≥ 5.6 mmol/L or 100 mg/dl). iii. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ≥ 5.7%/ 39 mmol/L). iv. Diagnosed or treated for type 2 diabetes. v. High blood pressure (≥ 130/85 mmHg). vi. High plasma triglycerides (≥ 1.70 mmol/L or 150 mg/dl). vii. Lower plasma of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol) (≤ 1.0 mmol/L or 40 mg/dl for males and ≤ 1.3 mmol/L or 50 mg/dl for females).
* Stable weight in the last 3 months (less than ± 4% weight variation).
* Stable medication or intake of food supplements for a medical condition that can affect study outcomes according to the Investigator's judgement in the last three months prior to study entry (bile salt sequestrants are not permitted).
* Not planning to change their dietary and lifestyle habits during the study.
* Willing and able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Fibrosis scores equal or higher than F2 (≥ 8.0 kPa).
* History of acute or chronic hepatitis A, B or C, autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced liver diseases, severe liver diseases.
* Prior or pending liver transplantation.

Patients with at least one of the following concurrent conditions:

i. Type I diabetes ii. Uncontrolled type II diabetes (HbA1c \>8%) iii. Hypertriglyceridemia \> 350mg/dl iv. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection v. Diagnosis of hemochromatosis

* Current use of pioglitazone, SGLT-2 inhibitors, or approved drugs for MASLD or steatohepatitis within 8 weeks.
* Current use of bile salt sequestrants within 8 weeks.
* Significant gastrointestinal disease, such as inframmatory bowel disease (IBD, short bowel syndrome, chronic or recurrent diarrhoea, coeliac condition.
* Pancreatic failure, biliary dysfunction (including cholecystectomy and blood bilirubin abnormalities)
* Thyroid dysfunction, as assessed by the investigator (clinical criteria)
* History of:

  i. Cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, periphreal vascular disease).

ii. Cancer or immunosuppression. iii. Gastrointestinal surgery in the previous year (with the exception of appendicitis).

* Patients with a history of chronic alcohol or drug abuse: \> 14 units/week for females and \> 21 units/week for male
* Chronic and heavy smoking (\>20 cigarettes a day)
* Regular intake (\> 3 days/week) of other probiotics (including food complements or diary foods with other probiotic strains, e.g. Activia®, Actimel® or similar).
* Intake of nutraceuticals with an effect on hepatic function such as \> 500 mg/day omega-3 fatty acids, high-dose vitamin E supplements or milk thistle (sylibum marianum) extract ot their active ingredients (silymarin, silybin) regularly (\> 7 days) in the 15 days before study entry.
* Current use of systemic corticosteroids, androgens, clopidogrel, digoxin, acenocoumarol, warfarin, phenytoin, topiramate, lithium, tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs or second-generation antipsychotics, amiodarone, tamixofen and/or diltiazem.
* History of use (\> 3 days) of oral or parenteral antibiotics one month before the study initiation.
* Chronic use of laxatives.
* Debilitating illnesses (advanced liver or kidney disease, severe depression, psychotic symptoms, neurological diseases).
* Current pregnancy (positive urine test) or planning to become pregnant during the study.
* Breastfeeding at the time of eligibility assessment.
* Patients who have participated in a clinical trial in the six-month period before the study.

Conditions4

Browse More Trials