Helicobacter Pylori Eradication in Diabetic Subjects With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Helicobacter pylori (HP) antigens have been found in the liver of individuals with benign and malignant liver diseases. The role of HP in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is controversial.

This randomized double blind clinical trial was performed in diabetic dyspeptic patients with positive antibody to HP and the evidence of fatty liver in ultrasonography. After excluding other causes, participants with persistent elevated serum aminotransferase levels were presumed to have NAFLD. Those with NAFLD liver fat score greater than (-0.64) and positive urea breath test (UBT) were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to lifestyle modification alone or lifestyle modification plus HP eradication groups. Quadruple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin, bismuth subcitrate, and clarithromycin) for HP eradication was performed in two weeks. HP eradication was documented by UBT. Liver fat content, fasting serum glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, cholesterol, high and low-density lipoprotein, HOMA-IR, and anthropometric measurements (body mass index and waist circumference) were checked at baseline and six weeks post-treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Diabetic dyspeptic patients with positive antibody to H.pylori and persistent elevated aminotransferase levels with the evidence of fatty liver in ultrasonography, who were referred to a gastroenterology clinic

Exclusion criteria

• Alcohol use (more than 20 gram per day in men and 10 gram per day in women per day), heart disease (ischemic or congestive), hepatic disease (viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, wilson disease, hemochromatosis, liver mass lesion), renal disease (serum creatinine concentration of > 1.5 mg/dl), any severe systemic co-morbidities, neoplasm, using any hepatotoxic medication during the past 3 months, previous history of peptic ulcer, previous history of H.pylori eradication, existence of alarm signs (weight loss, dysphagia, anemia, vomiting, positive family history of gastrointestinal cancers), and pregnant or lactating women.