Efficacy and Safety of Tocovid Suprabio 200mg in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study, to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Tocovid Suprabio 200mg in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL)

Palm-derived tocotrienols have shown hepatoprotective effects in both animal and human studies. This study aims to investigate the effects of tocotrienols in hepatocellular lipid content using MRI. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of diseases ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis, NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to cirrhosis. NASH is the accumulation of fat in liver cells accompanied with inflammation that can lead to the scarring of the liver. Prevention of liver fibrosis by early introduction of low risk interventions such as lifestyle modification, diet control and nutraceuticals may help circumvent long-term healthcare costs associated with management of chronic NASH.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 to 70 years old.
2. Diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL, hepatic steatosis), using ultrasound or Fibroscan
3. Willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History or evidence of medical condition(s) associated with chronic liver disease other than NAFL

2. Known history or other evidence of decompensated liver disease (Child-Pugh Grade B or higher), coagulopathy, hyperbilirubinemia, hepatic encephalopathy, hypoalbuminemia, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and bleeding from esophageal varices are conditions consistent with decompensated liver disease.

3. Documented underlying medical conditions which may affect assessment or follow-up as listed:

   • Any malignancies
   • eGFR < 60
   • Severe dementia or psychosis
   • Requirement of long-term corticosteroid treatment for the underlying disease such as connective tissue disease
   • Uncontrolled Hemoglobinopathy or anemia
   • Uncontrolled Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism
   • Hemochromatosis
   • Hepatobiliary disorders
   • Participant underwent splenectomy or suffered from splenomegaly
   • Hepatitis B or C

4. History of drug or substance abuse.

5. Estimated alcohol consumption of more than 20 g/day (1 standard drink/day) for women or more than 30 g/day (2 standard drinks/day) for men for at least 6 months prior to enrollment, binge drinking behavior or Alcohol Use and Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of 7 or more

6. History of taking medications known to cause liver impairment such as systemic glucocorticoids, tetracyclines, anabolic steroids, valproic acid, or other known hepatotoxins within 3 months prior to study enrollment

7. History of major organ transplantation with an existing functional graft.

8. Present with signs of acute infection or inflammation at Screening

9. Has medical conditions or recent procedures that do not allow for magnetic resonance (MR) assessments

10. Pregnant, breast feeding, or female of childbearing potential (unless the participant is on effective contraception methods or underwent bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy previously)

11. Participation in any other interventional trial within the previous three months. Participants enrolled in this study cannot be enrolled in another study for either research, diagnostic or treatment purposes.

12. Known history of severe allergy or immunologically mediated disease (e.g., vasculitis, cryoglobulinemia, inflammatory bowel disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, lupus erythematosus, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, scleroderma, severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis requiring more than intermittent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for management, etc.)

13. New treatment with liver-protective supplements such as S-adenosyl methionine (SAM-e), Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), betain, milk thistle (silymarin), soybean phospholipids (EssentialE®), or fish oil, within 1 month prior to study enrollment.

14. Treatment with vitamin E tocopherol (at dosage more than 50mg/day) or tocotrienols within 1 month prior to enrollment.

15. Treatment using new anti-lipidemic or anti-diabetic agents within 3 months prior to study enrollment.

16. Participant having lesions with a propensity to bleed (e.g., bleeding peptic ulcers) and those having a history of hemorrhagic stroke and those with inherited bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia) or patients on warfarin.

17. Elevation of AST or ALT greater than five times upper limit normal (ULN), approximately 250 IU/L, or alkaline phosphatase more than two times ULN (250-300 IU/L).