Ethanol's effect on muscle autophagy in alcoholic liver disease

Mechanisms of Skeletal Muscle Proteolysis With Ethanol Consumption: an Integrated Molecular Metabolic Approach

Observational The Cleveland Clinic · NCT03209791

This study is testing how alcohol affects muscle health in people with alcoholic liver disease by looking at how it breaks down certain proteins in their muscles.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cleveland, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT03209791 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to demonstrate how ethanol induces skeletal muscle autophagy, specifically targeting the degradation of MAA adducts formed by ethanol-mediated modifications of skeletal muscle proteins. Patients with alcoholic liver disease, including those with alcoholic steatosis, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, will be recruited from the liver transplant nutrition clinic and hepatology inpatient service. Their body composition will be assessed using various methods, including anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Control subjects with normal clinical histories will also be recruited to compare findings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-65 with diagnosed alcoholic liver disease or healthy controls with normal liver function.

Not a fit: Patients with poorly controlled diabetes, significant renal or cardiac disease, or those on medications affecting muscle metabolism may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the mechanisms of muscle degradation in patients with alcoholic liver disease, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study is novel, similar studies have explored the effects of ethanol on muscle metabolism, indicating potential pathways for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Alcoholic liver disease:

* clinical, biochemical, imaging criteria and liver biopsy where available
* Age 18 - 65 years old

Controls:

* Serum liver transaminases (i.e. ALT and AST) 40 IU/L
* Normal liver ultrasound
* Age 18 - 65 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

For both groups - alcoholic liver disease and controls:

* Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (HbA1C\>9.5 g/dl)
* Untreated Hyper- / hypo- thyroidism
* Patients on dialysis, renal disease with serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL
* Active intravenous drug use
* History of bowel surgery or gastric bypass surgery
* Medications known to alter muscle protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, tamoxifen, high-dose estrogen, testosterone or anabolic steroids)
* Metastatic disease, Advanced cardiac or pulmonary disease
* Pregnancy
* Coagulopathy- INR \>1.4 and platelet count \<80,000/ml.

Where this trial is running

Cleveland, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Alcoholic Liver Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.