Gender differences in the efficacy of pioglitazone treatment in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with abnormal glucose metabolism

Abstract Background Pioglitazone is a promising therapeutic method for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with or without type 2 diabetes. However, there remarkable variability in treatment response. We analyzed our previous randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of gender and other factors on efficacy pioglitazone treating Chinese abnormal glucose metabolism. Methods This post hoc analysis randomized, parallel controlled, open-label clinical (RCT) an original purpose evaluating berberine NAFLD. The total population ( n = 185) was randomly divided into three groups: lifestyle intervention (LSI), LSI + (PGZ) 15 mg qd, (BBR) 0.5 g tid, respectively, 16 weeks. study used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy 1 H-MRS) assess fat content. Results As compared LSI, PGZ further decreased content women (? 15.24% ± 14.54% vs. ? 8.76% 13.49%, p 0.025), but less men 9.95% 15.18% 12.64% 17.78%, 0.046). There significant interaction between before after adjustment age, smoking, drinking, baseline BMI, BMI change, adherence, content, Conclusion recommends plus NAFLD female Trial registration Role Berberine Treatment Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NCT00633282 . Registered 3 March 2008, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov