NCT02754037

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate non-invasive imaging techniques for determining liver steatosis (fat), inflammation (abnormal tissue swelling), and fibrosis (abnormal tissue scarring).In addition, the study group will be using other test measures including personal demographics, laboratory blood test results, and imaging measurements to determine the severity of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), inflammation, and fibrosis.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
120

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for all trials

Timeline
2mo left

Started Apr 2016

Longer than P75 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress99%
Apr 2016Jun 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 26, 2016

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 28, 2016

Completed
2 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 30, 2016

Completed
10.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 30, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2026

Last Updated

December 5, 2025

Status Verified

December 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

10.2 years

First QC Date

April 26, 2016

Last Update Submit

December 3, 2025

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • PET scan parameters correlated with biopsy findings

    PET scan parameters correlated with biopsy findings (NAFLD Activity Score as per NASH-CRN)

    one year

Interventions

This imaging method uses radiotracers for functional analysis of liver inflammation. It does involve placement of an intravenous catheter and a radiotracer. One blood sample (10cc) will be drawn after PET scan using a butterfly method with the time recorded. The blood sample will be centrifuged in the Main Hospital to get the plasma and a well counter will be used to calculate the radioactivity in the plasma as per established protocol. Potential risks from an intravenous catheter insertion and blood draw include pain, minimal blood loss and local erythema. Radiotracer exposure from FDG-PET is minimal and has been well-characterized. Radiation Use Committee approval has been obtained for FDG-PET use.

Novel non-invasive MRI based tools to assess liver fat and fibrosis. Potential risks include a sensation of claustrophobia. No contrast dye is used and thus no risk of contrast allergy. Inflammation of the liver may be assessed by MRI software after processing of images and does not require additional patient involvement or change in MRI protocol.

Also known as: Magnetic resonance proton density fat fraction (MR-PDFF), Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)
PET ExplorerRADIATION

Similar to the regular PET-Scan, this imaging method uses radiotracers to scan multiple organs of the body. It does involve placement of an intravenous catheter and a radiotracer. One blood sample (10cc) will be drawn after PET scan using a butterfly method with the time recorded. The blood sample will be centrifuged in the Main Hospital to get the plasma and a well counter will be used to calculate the radioactivity in the plasma as per established protocol. Potential risks from an intravenous catheter insertion and blood draw include pain, minimal blood loss and local erythema. Radiotracer exposure from FDG-PET is minimal and has been well-characterized. Radiation Use Committee approval has been obtained for FDG-PET use.

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

The study population includes those who are scheduled to have bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) or have had a liver biopsy within the past six months with a diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) or Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). These

You may qualify if:

  • Patients \>18 years age
  • Patients who had or will have a liver biopsy as standard of care for fatty liver disease and have risk factors for NASH. Liver biopsy needs to be within 6 months of planned imaging.
  • Patients undergoing bariatric surgery and will have a liver biopsy as standard of care.
  • Ability to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • History of alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis B or C, or other chronic liver disease other than non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  • Pregnant women
  • Prisoners
  • Claustrophobic to MRI
  • Allergic to FDG dye
  • Patients who are unable to lie in the scanner for one hour

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of California Davis Medical Center

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Sarkar S, Chen S, Spencer B, Situ X, Afkarian M, Matsukuma K, Corwin MT, Wang G. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Severity Associates with FGF21 Level and Kidney Glucose Uptake. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2021 Nov;19(9):491-497. doi: 10.1089/met.2021.0055. Epub 2021 Aug 26.

Related Links

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Blood plasma/serum will be banked at the University of California, Davis GI Biobank for future liver-related study use in -80°C freezer. Samples will be used for liver related studies. Potential future analyses of plasma samples could include fatty liver metabolomics analyses. All future Sample specimens will be stored for as long as they are viable (for up to 20 years). Dr. Medici and her study staff will maintain records of the storage location and have access to them.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Interventions

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fatty LiverLiver DiseasesDigestive System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

DeoxyglucoseDeoxy SugarsCarbohydratesSpectrum AnalysisChemistry Techniques, AnalyticalInvestigative Techniques

Study Officials

  • Guobao Wang

    University of California, Davis

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
CASE ONLY
Time Perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 26, 2016

First Posted

April 28, 2016

Study Start

April 30, 2016

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Last Updated

December 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Data will not be shared

Locations