Betaine vs. Placebo for Serologically Diagnosed Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH)

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phasePhase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-75
SponsorSouthern California Institute for Research and Education

About this trial

The study will evaluate whether betaine reduces liver injury in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH is a type of liver disease that occurs in some people with fatty liver. Betaine is a normal component in the human body and will be taken as a pill.

Seventy (70) participants will be randomized to receive either betaine or placebo for 24 weeks. After stopping treatment, participants will be seen in clinic for another 24 weeks (total participation in the study is approximately 1 year). Procedures performed during the study include blood tests, MRI examinations, questionnaires, and clinic visits.

We will measure improvement in liver injury with blood tests and with MRI.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Outpatient

Receiving health care at a clinical site that is participating in this trial.

A clinical diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease based in having 1 or more components of the metabolic syndrome.

ALT ≥50 U/L on the most recent measurement and within 28 days prior to randomization

Disqualifiers

MRE liver stiffness >5.0 kPa

Prior liver biopsy demonstrating cirrhosis

History of esophageal varices, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy

HDL >46 mg/dL for a male or >58 mg/L for a woman

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Betaine

    Drug

    Two capsules of betaine, 500 mg, will be consumed twice a day for 24 weeks.

  • Placebo

    Drug

    Two placebo capsules will be taken orally twice a day

Treatment groups

70 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: BetaineExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: PlaceboPlacebo comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

NIS2+

The primary endpoint is percent of participants with NIS2+™ \<0.6815 (no longer having at-risk MASH) at Week 24 (end of treatment).

Time frame
AT of 24 weeks of treatment with Betaine/Placebo

Secondary outcomes

1

MRI-PDFF

The percentage of participants with \>30% decline in MRI-PDFF

Time frame
at Week 24 (end of treatment).

Other outcomes

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

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