title: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases liver fat content in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids have favorable effects on cardiovascular risk and could reduce liver fat in NAFLD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on liver fat in PCOS. The secondary aim was to assess their effects on traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, crossover study at a tertiary cardiovascular research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five women with PCOS (mean age, 32.7 yr; mean body mass index, 34.8 kg/m(2)) participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared 4g/d of omega-3 fatty acids with placebo over 8 wk.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was hepatic fat content quantified using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Secondary outcome measures included fasting lipids and blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Omega-3 fatty acids significantly decreased liver fat content compared with placebo [10.2 (1.1) vs. 8.4 (0.9)%; P = 0.022]. There was also a reduction in triglycerides [1.19 (1.03-1.47) vs. 1.02 (0.93-1.18) mmol/liter; P = 0.002], systolic blood pressure [124.1 (12.1) vs. 122.3 (14.5) mm Hg; P = 0.018], and diastolic blood pressure [73.2 (8.4) vs. 69.7 (8.3) mm Hg; P = 0.005] with omega-3 fatty acids compared with placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids particularly decreased hepatic fat in women with hepatic steatosis, defined as liver fat percentage greater than 5% [18.2 (11.1) vs. 14.8 (9.3)%; P = 0.03].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has a beneficial effect on liver fat content and other cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS, including those with hepatic steatosis. Whether this translates into a reduction in cardiometabolic events warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth 6847, Western Australia. acussons@meddent.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cussons
authors.forename: Gerald F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Bronwyn G A
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Stuckey
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D011522:Protons