Nutritional assessment and hepatic fatty acid composition in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
Low hepatic n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) may contribute to steatosis and steatohepatitis and can be affected by diet and oxidative stress.


METHODS
Seventy-three patients referred for elevated liver enzymes and suspected NAFLD were assessed. Nutritional assessment, hepatic FA composition and oxidative stress were compared between these groups: simple steatosis (SS, n=18), steatohepatitis (NASH, n=38) and minimal findings on liver biopsy (MF, n=17).


RESULTS
Patients with NASH had higher: BMI, central obesity, body fat, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and lower physical activity compared to the other groups. They also had relatively lower hepatic n-3 and n-6 PUFA, a decrease in the ratio of metabolites to essential FA precursors for both n-6 and n-3 FA (eicosapentaenoic+docosahexaenoic/linolenic and arachidonic/linoleic acid ratios) and higher liver lipid peroxides with lower antioxidant power, when compared to MF. Overall, there was no significant difference between SS and NASH in FA composition. Self-reported dietary intake and red blood cell FA composition were similar among the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
NASH patients have more metabolic abnormalities. This is associated with higher oxidative stress and lower n-3 and n-6 PUFA in the liver in the absence of any differences in dietary FA composition.
Allard
Johane P
JP
The University of Toronto and The University Health Network, The Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 9N-973, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5G-2C4. johane.allard@uhn.on.ca
Aghdassi
Elaheh
E
Mohammed
Saira
S
Raman
Maitreyi
M
Avand
Ghazal
G
Arendt
Bianca M
BM
Jalali
Pegah
P
Kandasamy
Thileep
T
Prayitno
Nita
N
Sherman
Morris
M
Guindi
Maha
M
Ma
David W L
DW
Heathcote
Jenny E
JE
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids