Prolonged n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation ameliorates hepatic steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies suggest a role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha ligands in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rodents. However, data in humans are still lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of prolonged PUFA supplementation in patients with NAFLD.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with NAFLD were enrolled. Among the overall eligible patients, 42 assumed n-3 PUFA 1-g capsule daily for 12 months, whereas 14 refused the treatment and were analysed as controls. All patients underwent haematochemical and ultrasound follow-up.


RESULTS
Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation significantly decreased serum aspartate transaminase (P = 0.003), alanine transaminase (P = 0.002), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P = 0.03), triglycerides (P = 0.02) and fasting glucose (P = 0.02) in comparison with controls. Circulating arachidonate and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio was reduced (P = 0.0002, and P = 0.0001 respectively) in treated patients. Moreover, ultrasonography demonstrated improvement of liver echotexture after PUFA (P = 0.0001), and increase of Doppler perfusion index (P = 0.001), whereas no significant changes occurred in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with n-3 PUFA improves biochemical, ultrasonographic and haemodynamic features of liver steatosis. Our study supports the efficacy of n-3 PUFA as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of NAFLD.
Capanni
M
M
Nutrition Center and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. marco_cap@katamail.com
Calella
F
F
Biagini
M R
MR
Genise
S
S
Raimondi
L
L
Bedogni
G
G
Svegliati-Baroni
G
G
Sofi
F
F
Milani
S
S
Abbate
R
R
Surrenti
C
C
Casini
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014280:Triglycerides; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase