44 Participants Needed

Soy Milk for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

AS
AP
Overseen ByAnn Popelar
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether drinking soy milk can help children with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a liver condition common in those who are overweight. Researchers aim to determine if soy isoflavones (natural compounds in soy) can improve liver health compared to 2% fat cow's milk. Participants will be divided into two groups: one drinking soy milk and the other cow's milk, both twice a day for 12 weeks. This trial suits children who are overweight, have been diagnosed with NAFLD, or have had high liver enzymes, but do not regularly consume soy foods. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering a chance to contribute to important findings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are being treated for existing endocrine disorders, you may not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this treatment is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that soy milk is generally safe for everyone, including children. Studies have found that soy isoflavones, natural compounds in soy milk, do not harm hormones or metabolism. In fact, consuming soy has been linked to health benefits, such as lowering certain liver enzymes and improving insulin levels. This suggests that soy milk might help improve liver health in conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). So far, no major reports of negative effects from drinking soy milk have emerged, indicating it is well-tolerated.12345

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for NAFLD?

Researchers are excited about using soy milk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because it offers a natural and potentially lower-risk alternative to existing treatments like lifestyle changes and medications such as vitamin E or pioglitazone. Unlike these standard options, soy milk may target liver health through its unique composition, rich in isoflavones and plant proteins, which might help reduce liver fat and inflammation. This approach could provide a more holistic method of managing NAFLD, appealing to those seeking dietary-based interventions.

What evidence suggests that soy milk might be an effective treatment for NAFLD?

Research has shown that soy milk might help treat Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Studies have found that compounds in soy, called isoflavones, can lower liver enzymes like ALT and AST, which indicate liver health. Evidence also suggests that soy can reduce liver fat and improve overall liver function. Additionally, soy might help manage cholesterol levels and improve insulin use, both important for people with NAFLD. In this trial, participants will receive either standard soy milk or 2% fat cow's milk. These findings suggest that soy milk could be a helpful option for children with this condition.12678

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who are overweight or obese. They must have an MRI PDFF >10% and elevated ALT levels (>22 for females, >26 for males).

Inclusion Criteria

I have NAFLD or my ALT levels are high for my sex.
I have NAFLD with a liver fat level over 10% on MRI.
My child is overweight or obese.

Exclusion Criteria

Baseline habitual (>3 days per week) consumption of soy foods
I have taken antibiotics in the last 8 weeks.
MRI-PDFF <10%
See 3 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either standard soy milk or 2% fat cow's milk twice daily

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Soy Milk
Trial Overview The study compares the effects of drinking standard soy milk versus 2% fat cow's milk on the severity of NAFLD in children. It aims to see if soy isoflavones in soy milk can help reduce liver disease.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Standard Soy MilkExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: 2% Fat Cows MilkPlacebo Group1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Marialena Mouzaki

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
40+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 66 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), those who consumed 240 ml of soy milk daily for 8 weeks showed significant improvements in insulin levels, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and blood pressure compared to a control group on a calorie-restricted diet.
The soy milk group experienced a notable reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as an increase in the QUICKI index, indicating improved insulin sensitivity, highlighting the potential of soy milk as a dietary intervention for managing NAFLD.
Effect of soy milk consumption on glycemic status, blood pressure, fibrinogen and malondialdehyde in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.Maleki, Z., Jazayeri, S., Eslami, O., et al.[2019]
Isoflavones, natural compounds found in soy, have shown potential in preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and pathological adiposity by suppressing the ChREBP signaling pathway, which is involved in fat production.
They also activate Wnt signaling through estrogen receptors, which helps reduce fat cell formation by degrading key proteins involved in adipogenesis, suggesting a dual mechanism of action for isoflavones in managing these conditions.
Isoflavones as a smart curer for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and pathological adiposity via ChREBP and Wnt signaling.Kim, MH., Kang, KS.[2023]
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about 25% of the global population, primarily due to obesity and diabetes, and currently has no direct pharmacological treatments, making dietary intervention crucial.
Soy consumption has been shown to reduce lipid accumulation in the liver and improve metabolic syndrome associated with NAFLD, likely through mechanisms involving key transcription factors that regulate fat metabolism.
Hypolipidemic Effects of Soy Protein and Isoflavones in the Prevention of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease- A Review.Xiao, CW., Hendry, A.[2022]

Citations

The effect of soy isoflavones on non-alcoholic fatty liver ...Soy isoflavone intake led to a decrease in ALT, AST, CAP score, steatosis grade and an increase in the level of fetuin A.
Soy diet for nonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseOur meta-analysis includes 5 RCTs and the results confirmed that soy diet could significantly reduce HOMA IR and increase insulin in patients ...
Hypolipidemic Effects of Soy Protein and Isoflavones in the ...Increasing evidence has shown that soy intake had beneficial effects in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [14,15,16,17,18] ...
Preclinical and clinical evidence for the treatment of non- ...The results showed that soybean effectively improved the liver function index, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory factor levels and improved ...
The effect of soy isoflavones supplementation on metabolic ...This study revealed that soy isoflavones could significantly reduce TG, LDL TC, WC and HC in NAFLD patients.
Hypolipidemic Effects of Soy Protein and Isoflavones in the ...Increasing evidence has shown that soy intake had beneficial effects in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [14โ€“18], and ...
Impact of Soymilk on Liver Disease Severity of Children With ...The investigators do not expect any adverse endocrine or metabolomic effects from the consumption of soy isoflavones.
Soy Food Intake Is Inversely Associated with Newly ...Results from animal models also suggest that soy protein can retard the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by improving insulin resistance and ...
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