Evaluating esomeprazole for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Clinical Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Esomeprazole in Treatment of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Sadat City University · NCT06302049

This study is testing if the medication esomeprazole can help people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis improve their liver health and overall condition.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment46 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorSadat City University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsmethotrexate
Locations1 site (Shibīn al Kawm)
Trial IDNCT06302049 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of esomeprazole as a potential therapy for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It will evaluate the drug's effects on ultrasound and fibrosis risk scores, as well as serum levels of liver fibrosis biomarkers, insulin resistance, and various metabolic and inflammatory parameters. The study will involve both diabetic and non-diabetic patients aged over 18 with a body mass index between 25 and 40 kg/m2. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either esomeprazole or a placebo.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include overweight or obese adults with a confirmed diagnosis of NASH and mild to moderate liver enzyme elevation.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to esomeprazole or those with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or higher may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new therapeutic option for patients suffering from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring various treatments for NASH, the specific use of esomeprazole in this context is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Both males and females.

* Diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
* Age \>18 years old.
* Overweight and obese patient: Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/ m2 but \<40 kg/ m2.
* Patients with heartburn, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal reflux disease, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and helicobacter pylori infection.
* Patients with established diagnosis of NASH based on liver ultrasonography, mild to moderate elevation in aminotransferase activities (\>2 but \<5 times upper limit of normal), hepatic steatosis index (HIS) \>36, HAIR score of 2 or 3.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to esomeprazole.
* Patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/ m2.
* Patients taking warfarin, clopidogrel, digoxin, diazepam and phenytoin to avoid drug-drug interactions as these drugs are CYP2C19 substrates.
* Patients infected with human immune deficiency virus taking antiretroviral medicines or dosage forms containing rilpivirine.
* Patients with a history of viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, biliary obstruction, primary biliary cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
* Patients on medications associated with steatosis such as NSAIDs, amiodarone, tamoxifen, estrogen, sodium valproate, corticosteroids, and methotrexate.
* Patients with cancer or with a history of cancer.
* Patients with cardiovascular diseases.
* Pregnant and lactating females

Where this trial is running

Shibīn al Kawm

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 Fatty Liver DiseaseSteatohepatitis, Nonalcoholic
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.