Trial reportNutrients2025
The Influence of Berberine on Vascular Function Parameters, Among Them VEGF, in Individuals with MAFLD: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Trial report in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Hydroxysafflor yellow A attenuates microcirculatory disturbance in MAFLD via the EGFR/MAPK1 pathway.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Article
- Association between the Zhejiang University index and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease as analyzed in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: A retrospective observational study.The Journal of international medical research · 2026Observational
- Targeting GPR68 Alleviates Inflammation and Lipid Accumulation in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis.Biology · 2026Article
- Structure-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of natural products in sepsis-associated organ dysfunction: a narrative review.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMetabolically Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is a prevalent liver disorder closely tied to metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) may have a dual interesting role in MAFLD pathophysiology-supporting vascular repair in early stages, but potentially contributing to fibrosis in later stages. In this study, berberine (BBR), a plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloid, exhibits multiple beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and endothelial-protective effects, on the study group, perhaps by influencing VEGF concentration.
objectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of BBR in addressing vascular function parameters linked to MAFLD, particularly its impact on serum VEGF levels and arterial stiffness.
methodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled seventy individuals with MAFLD who were overweight or obese. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either BBR (1500 mg/day) or a placebo orally for 12 weeks. The following parameters were assessed pre- and post-intervention: VEGF, brachial SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure)/DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure), MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure), AIx (Augmentation Index), AP (Aortic Pressure), number of waveforms, Pulse Pressure (PP), PWV (Pulse Wave Velocity), and PWA-SP/PWA-DP (Pulse Wave Analysis Systolic/Diastolic Pressure). The results for the metabolic parameters-FLI (Fatty Liver Index)-and anthropometric parameters-BMI (Body Mass Index), fat mass corp-and laboratory parameters, among them, hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), were published by us earlier.
resultsIn the BBR-treated cohort, VEGF concentrations demonstrated a statistically significant increase following the intervention, rising from a baseline mean of 456.23 ± 307.61 pg/mL to 561.22 ± 389.77 pg/mL (
conclusionsBBR appears to be a safe and promising adjunct in MAFLD therapy, potentially exerting reparative effects through VEGF modulation and vascular support. Further research is warranted to confirm its long-term impact and elucidate underlying protective mechanisms.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.