A Comparison of Alanine Aminotransferase Normalization between Pemafibrate and Bezafibrate in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Abstract

Objective Pemafibrate is a recently developed selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator that can improve alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the effectiveness of ALT normalization with pemafibrate and bezafibrate, a traditional fibrate, has not been compared. Methods In this retrospective study, we compared the effects of pemafibrate and bezafibrate on ALT normalization in patients with NAFLD. The primary endpoint was the ALT normalization rate at 12 months after administration. Patients Twenty and 14 patients with NAFLD receiving pemafibrate and bezafibrate, respectively, were included in this retrospective analysis. All patients had elevated ALT levels and dyslipidemia at entry. Results The ALT normalization rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 40%, 55%, and 60% for pemafibrate and 14.3%, 28.6%, and 14.3% for bezafibrate, respectively. The ALT normalization rate at 12 months was significantly higher in patients treated with pemafibrate than in those treated with bezafibrate (p=0.01). Pemafibrate, when compared with bezafibrate, was shown to be a significant factor for ALT normalization in a multivariable analysis with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 13.8 (1.6-115, p=0.01). Conclusion Pemafibrate is effective in ALT normalization in patients with NAFLD and may be used as a treatment for NAFLD.

• Authors: Michiko Yamada-Shimizu, Nobuharu Tamaki, Masayuki Kurosaki, Naoki Uchihara, Keito Suzuki, Yuki Tanaka, Haruka Miyamoto, Shun Ishido, Tsubasa Nobusawa, Hiroaki Matsumoto, Taisei Keitoku, Mayu Higuchi, Kenta Takaura, Shohei Tanaka, Chiaki Maeyashiki, Yutaka Yasui, Yuka Takahashi, Kaoru Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Namiki Izumi
• Journal: Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) (Intern Med) (Sep 29 2023) ISSN: 1349-7235 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 37779070 (Publication Type: Journal Article)