Effects of Pentoxifylline on Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Iran

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. objectives: 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. patients and 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.