Table 2. Mean Values (Standard Deviation) for Laboratory Parameters and Liver fat Content at Baseline, 2 and 4 Months Post-Treatment According to Treatment Group.

	Metformin, Mean ± SD	Pioglitazone, Mean ± SD	Pioglitazone, Mean ± SD
Aspartate Aminotransferase, U/L
Baseline	49.13 ± 16.81	50.47 ± 21.83	50.47 ± 21.83
2 months	47.37 ± 33.77	39.86 ± 11.27	39.86 ± 11.27
4 months	38.30 ± 19.88	36.72 ± 16.77	36.72 ± 16.77
Alanine Aminotransferase, U/L
Baseline	87.72 ± 44.92	91.10 ± 38.17	91.10 ± 38.17
2 months	80.75 ± 66.44	67.59 ± 28.49	67.59 ± 28.49
4 months	65.97 ± 56.84	53.57 ± 26.03	53.57 ± 26.03
Alkaline Phosphatase, U/L
Baseline	167.77 ± 30.85	163.42 ± 38.73	163.42 ± 38.73
2 months	169.60 ± 36.19	152.35 ± 38.94	152.35 ± 38.94
4 months	177.30 ± 47.38	152.00 ± 39.80	152.00 ± 39.80
Triglyceride, mg/dl
Baseline	152.82 ± 74.81	137.82 ± 90.59	137.82 ± 90.59
2 months	173.95 ± 113.66	134.14 ± 57.68	134.14 ± 57.68
4 months	148.05 ± 52.95	134.66 ± 53.05	134.66 ± 53.05
Cholesterol, mg/dl
Baseline	177.71 ± 33.96	178.58 ± 26.55	178.58 ± 26.55
2 months	183.92 ± 27.42	175.86 ± 27.23	175.86 ± 27.23
4 months	191.45 ± 31.83	180.20 ± 29.71	180.20 ± 29.71
Low Density Lipoprotein, mg/dl
Baseline	95.45 ± 31.64	101.30 ± 18.72	101.30 ± 18.72
2 months	97.83 ± 29.37	97.38 ± 20.90	97.38 ± 20.90
4 months	109.52 ± 27.17	99.91 ± 22.91	99.91 ± 22.91
High Density Lipoprotein, mg/dl
Baseline	51.41 ± 14.76	49.33 ± 10.30	49.33 ± 10.30
2 months	54.03 ± 16.03	51.02 ± 10.52	51.02 ± 10.52
4 months	52.00 ± 9.32	52.96 ± 8.83	52.96 ± 8.83
Fasting Plasma Glucose, mg/dl
Baseline	94.52 ± 18.89	97.40 ± 12.92	97.40 ± 12.92
2 months	92.30 ± 16.52	91.30 ± 9.51	91.30 ± 9.51
4 months	95.47 ± 14.15	90.55 ± 11.21	90.55 ± 11.21
HOMA-IRa
Baseline	3.14 ± 2.04	3.72 ± 4.82	3.72 ± 4.82
4 months	2.57 ± 1.47	2.45 ± 1.32	2.45 ± 1.32
Liver Fat Content, %
Baseline	8.65 ± 5.11	9.75 ± 8.07	9.75 ± 8.07
4 months	6.12 ± 3.77	6.52 ± 4.12	6.52 ± 4.12

^aAbbreviations: HOMA-IR: homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance