Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and HCV infection itself may promote insulin resistance, irrespective of the severity of liver disease.

Insulin resistance seems to be genotype specific and may play a role in fibrogenesis in chronic hepatitis C.

In an “in vitro” model, increased levels of insulin may promote increased HCV replication.

RATIONALE Decreased insulin resistance and reduced hyperinsulinemia may facilitate the efficacy of anti-viral drugs on HCV replication.


Clinical Trial Description

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and HCV infection itself may promote insulin resistance, irrespective of the severity of liver disease.

- In patients with HCV infection, an increase in fasting insulin levels is associated with the presence of serum HCV core, the severity of hepatic fibrosis and a decrease in expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and IRS2, central molecules of the insulin-signaling cascade. Down-regulation of IRS1 and IRS2 has also been observed in HCV core-transgenic mice livers and HCV core-transfected human hepatoma cells.

- High levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which acts by disturbing tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1, may be associated with insulin resistance both in animal models and in HCV patients.

Insulin resistance seems to be genotype specific and may play a role in fibrogenesis in chronic hepatitis C.

- In patients infected with genotype non-3, insulin resistance is associated with the degree of fibrosis, the rate of fibrosis progression and previous failed antiviral treatment.

- Insulin resistance, fibrosis, and genotype are independent predictors of the response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin. A sustained virological response is achieved in 33% of patients with genotype 1 and insulin resistance compared with 60% of genotype 1 patients without insulin resistance.

- Insulin resistance is associated with a 3-fold risk of failure to antiviral treatment in patients with genotype 1 In an “in vitro” model, increased levels of insulin may promote increased HCV replication.

RATIONALE Decreased insulin resistance and reduced hyperinsulinemia may facilitate the efficacy of anti-viral drugs on HCV replication.

INDICATION Genotype 1 Chronic HCV hepatitis (CHC) associated with insulin resistance (IR).

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of Pegylated-Interferon and Ribavirin plus metformin to Pegylated-Interferon and Ribavirin for treatment of naïve patients with Genotype 1 Chronic HCV infection and insulin resistance. ;


Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00370617
Study type Interventional
Source University of Turin, Italy
Contact Mario Rizzetto, MD
Phone +39-011-6336397
Email mrizzetto@molinette.piemonte.it
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 4
Start date September 2006
Completion date January 2009

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Completed NCT03142633 - MicroRNA as Biomarkers for Development of Metabolic Syndrome in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Recruiting NCT04984226 - Sodium Bicarbonate and Mitochondrial Energetics in Persons With CKD Phase 2
Recruiting NCT05354245 - Using a Complex Carbohydrate Mixture to Steer Fermentation and Improve Metabolism in Adults With Overweight and Prediabetes (DISTAL) N/A
Completed NCT03383822 - Regulation of Endogenous Glucose Production by Brain Insulin Action in Insulin Resistance Phase 1/Phase 2
Recruiting NCT06007404 - Understanding Metabolism and Inflammation Risks for Diabetes in Adolescents
Suspended NCT03652987 - Endocrine and Menstrual Disturbances in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Completed NCT04203238 - Potato Research for Enhancing Metabolic Outcomes N/A
Recruiting NCT03658564 - Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Treatment Minimizes Insulin Resistance N/A
Completed NCT04183257 - Effect of Escalating Oral Vitamin D Replacement on HOMA-IR in Vitamin D Deficient Type 2 Diabetics Phase 4
Completed NCT04117802 - Effects of Maple Syrup on Gut Microbiota Diversity and Metabolic Syndrome N/A
Completed NCT03627104 - Effect of Dietary Protein and Energy Restriction in the Improvement of Insulin Resistance in Subjects With Obesity N/A
Completed NCT05124847 - TREating Pediatric Obesity N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT03288025 - Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Improvement With Nutrition and Exercise (PHINE) N/A
Completed NCT03809182 - Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Glucose and Insulin Levels. Phase 4
Completed NCT01809288 - Identifying Risk for Diabetes and Heart Disease in Women
Completed NCT04642482 - Synbiotic Therapy on Intestinal Microbiota and Insulin Resistance in Obesity Phase 4
Terminated NCT03278236 - Does Time Restricted Feeding Improve Glycaemic Control in Overweight Men? N/A
Withdrawn NCT04741204 - Metformin Use to Reduce Disparities in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Phase 4
Not yet recruiting NCT05540249 - Pre-operative Carbohydrates in Diabetic Patients Undergoing CABG N/A
Completed NCT04088461 - Effect of Linagliptin + Metformin on Patients Who do Not Achieve Normoglucemia With Metformine Phase 4