title: Effects of Pentoxifylline on Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Several studies suggest that pentoxifylline (PTX) can improve the disease outcome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to compare the effect of pentoxifylline with placebo on liver aminotransferases and cytokines, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in patients with NASH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with NASH were included in the study, based on ultrasonography and 1.5-fold mean change from baseline serum levels of liver aminotransferases. Patients with NASH were randomized to receive 1200 mg PTX (the intervention group) or placebo (the placebo group) for 6 months. The serum levels of liver aminotransferases and cytokines were compared between the intervention and placebo groups, at various time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum levels of liver aminotransferases were significantly reduced at 3 months and at 6 months, compared with baseline, in both groups. The serum levels of IL-6 were significantly decreased, in both groups, only at 6 months, compared with baseline. Compared to the placebo group, the serum level of TNF-α was significantly decreased in the intervention group, at 6 months. The serum level of IL-8 was increased, in both groups, after 6 months, without reaching clinical significance. There was no significant difference in serum levels of liver aminotransferases and cytokines, between intervention and placebo groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreases in the serum levels of liver aminotransferases and cytokines, in both groups, are related to low-calorie diets and exercise, rather than PTX.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nadieh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baniasadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Faranak
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salajegheh
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pardakhty
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mehdi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Seyedmirzaee
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Centre, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Mahdi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hayatbakhsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amin Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Nikpoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran; Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
keywords: Clinical Trial; Cytokines; Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Pentoxifylline
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