Study: diabetes drug can help treat liver conditions

Based on a recent clinical study, the drug pioglitazone, which is generally prescribed as a diabetes treatment medication, can help patients who have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)), and who also suffer from fibrosis and advanced fibrosis. NASH is a term for several conditions related to fat increases in the liver that cause liver inflammation and damage and that may lead to liver cirrhosis and replacement. NASH may be caused by obesity, high cholesterol, or other factors. Fibrosis entails tissue damage, and in cases of NASH will often take place in your liver. Patients using pioglitazone experienced improved fibrosis treatments compared to patients not taking the medication.

Sources

Medscape (free registration) (2/27). ACG SmartBrief

For more general information about nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), see:
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis-nash-overview#1