The Ameliorative Effect of C-Kit (+) Hepatic Endothelial Cells With Mertk Deficiency on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been steadily increasing, with 10-20% of affected individuals progressing to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is pathologically characterized by hepatic inflammation, steatosis, and hepatocyte injury. Furthermore, this condition carries a significant risk of progression to advanced hepatic fibrosis (pathological Scheuer fibrosis stage F≥3), cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In recent years, NASH has emerged as the leading contributor to the growing burden of cirrhosis worldwide, representing a major public health challenge. Despite the high incidence and clinical severity of NAFLD, there are currently no FDA-approved therapeutic agents for its management. Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying NAFLD-associated NASH progression is critical for developing targeted pharmacological interventions capable of preventing, ameliorating, or potentially reversing disease progression.

NCT Number	NCT06913699
Lead Sponsor	Shanghai East Hospital Collaborators: National Natural Science Foundation of China
Conditions	Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Enrollment	6 participants
Start Date	2024-04-01
Primary Completion	2026-04-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-05-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-04-08