title: The therapeutic potential of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pharmacologic approach to disease management has not (as of yet) demonstrated safety and efficacy in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The current article introduces the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-ω3s), and reviews the evidence and mechanisms by which their increased intake or supplementation may ameliorate NAFLD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed through Ovid Medline, using such terms as NAFLD, NASH, nonalcoholic, steatosis, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish oil and omega-3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LC-ω3s display pleiotropic properties that are of benefit in cardiovascular disease. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids results in hepatic steatosis, whereas fish oil displays powerful hypotriglyceridemic properties. Intake and/or metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids are commonly impaired in NAFLD patients. A number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated an ameliorative effect of supplemental fish oil, seal oil and purified LC-ω3s in reducing hepatic lipid content in NAFLD. There is less evidence that hepatic inflammation and fibrosis are safely reduced by LC-ω3s.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplementation of LC-ω3s appears to safely reduce nutritional hepatic steatosis in adults. Whether other histopatholgic features of NAFLD also respond to LC-ω3s is being addressed by clinical trials. Any recommendation for omega-3 supplementation in NAFLD/NASH is contingent on these results.
authors.affiliation: The Institute for Nutrition Research, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Haim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Miryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tehilla
authors.forename: Joelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Attal-Singer
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruck
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luzzatti
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils