Pioglitazone Discontinuation in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Is Associated withDisease Recurrence

Commentary

Pioglitazone (PIO) is effective for long-term treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. It reduces liver fibrosis and increases adipose tissue insulin sensitivity.

In this article, the authors found that PIO rapidly normalizes plasma aminotransferases (LFTs) in NASH and improves liver histology, but its discontinuation results in an abrupt increase in LFTs, likely reflecting NASH recurrence. Therefore, PIO therapy for NASH should be considered as a long-term management approach.