Effect of Qianggan capsules on insulin resistance index and liver fibrosis score in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective To investigate the effect of Qianggan capsules on liver fibrosis score and insulin resistance index in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD). Methods A total of 85 NAFLD patients who were treated in the Eighth People's Hospital of Shanghai from August 2014 to July 2015 were enrolled and randomly divided into treatment group( 45 patients) and control group( 40 patients).The patients in the treatment group were given Qianggan capsules,and those in the control group were given polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules. The course of treatment was 24 weeks for both groups. The changes in serum aminotransferases [aspartate aminotransferase( AST)and alanine aminotransferase( ALT) ],homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance( HOMA-IR),and NAFLD fibrosis score( NAFLDFS) after treatment were observed in both groups. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,before-after comparison within each group was made by paired t-test; and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. Results Both groups showed significant improvements in ALT and AST levels after treatment( all P < 0. 01). After treatment the treatment group showed significant reductions in HOMA-IR and NAFLDFS( 3. 58 ± 0. 85 vs 2. 48 ± 0. 78,t = 6. 40,P < 0. 01;-1. 78 ±1. 24 vs-2. 35 ± 0. 98,t = 2. 40,P < 0. 01) and the treatment group had significantly lower HOMA-IR and NAFLDFS than the control group( 12. 48 ± 0. 78 vs 3. 09 ± 0. 89,t = 3. 36,P < 0. 01;-2. 35 ± 0. 98 vs-1. 48 ± 1. 08,t = 3. 80,P < 0. 01). No serious adverse events were observed during the course of treatment. Conclusion Qianggan capsules not only reduce the levels of serum aminotransferases,but also improve insulin resistance and reduce fibrosis degree in NAFLD patients.