Soluble Fibre Supplementation in NAFLD

Launched by MCMASTER UNIVERSITY · Jul 27, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The FIND study is researching how a special fiber supplement, made from ingredients called oligofructose and inulin, can help children with a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study is for children aged 8 to 17 who are diagnosed with obesity and show signs of NAFLD, which means their liver has too much fat in it. To participate, children must be receiving care at the Children's Exercise and Nutrition Clinic and have specific liver test results.

Participants will take the fiber supplement in pill form and will undergo some tests, like bloodwork and a special MRI scan at St. Joseph's Hospital, to see how their liver fat changes over time. Throughout the trial, their eating habits will also be reviewed. The study is currently looking for volunteers, and it's important to note that children with certain health conditions, like diabetes, or those who are unable to have an MRI cannot take part. This trial aims to understand better how nutrition can impact liver health in young people with obesity.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children ages 8-17 years
• • Diagnosed with obesity (BMI ≥2 standard deviations above WHO reference median)
• • Enrolled in GHWM Clinic
• • Clinical evidence of NAFLD (elevation of ALT, greater than 2x upper-limit-of-normal (ULN) \[ALT\>80 IU/L for 8-17 years of age\], and hepatic steatosis measured as part of clinic enrolment).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Type 1, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM, T2DM)
• • Contraindications to having MRI (claustrophobia, metal implant, recent tattoo, weight \> 300lbs)
• • Concomitant use of other fibre supplements
• • Medications known to affect hepatic fat content, taken within the past year (i.e., glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids, tetracycline, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, glucose- lowering medications)
• • Presence of another known cause of liver disease
• • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to OF-INU supplementation
• • Self-reported alcohol intake \>7 drinks/week or 3 drinks/day