Androgens and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) In Reproductive-Aged Women With and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
University of California, San Francisco
Summary
The researchers want to learn how androgens, a type of sex hormone, might affect nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) in young women over time. NAFLD happens when fat builds up in the liver which can cause damage to the liver such as inflammation or scarring. Young women with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a high risk for NAFLD, and they often have high androgen levels too. So the researchers are recruiting young women with PCOS as well as those without PCOS, and will compare changes in NAFLD over time between young women with and without PCOS. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health
Description
The studies central hypothesis is that androgens promote liver injury and NAFLD/NASH progression in PCOS, which occurs through aberrant lipid activity (including lipotoxicity and dysregulated de novo lipogenesis), in part from androgenic effects on visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Data in young women taking exogenous testosterone show redistribution of fat from subcutaneous to visceral stores In the general population, VAT promotes NASH through several established pathways, including production of tissue injurious or "lipotoxic" lipids such as some phospholipid, sphingomyelin, and ceramide speci…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–42 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) (formerly NASH) * PCOS * Non-PCOS Exclusion Criteria: * High levels of alcohol use (more than 7 drinks a week) * Current pregnancy * Other causes of hepatic steatosis * Weight loss of more than 10% body weight in the last 6 months
Locations (2)
- University of California San FranciscoSan Francisco, California
- Duke UniversityDurham, North Carolina