Omega-3 supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a frequent accompaniment of obesity and insulin resistance. With the prevalence approaching 85% in obese populations, new therapeutic approaches to manage NAFLD are warranted. A systematic search of the literature was conducted for studies pertaining to the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on NAFLD in humans. Primary outcome measures were liver fat and liver function tests: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase [1]. Data were pooled and meta-analyses conducted using a random effects model. Nine eligible studies, involving 355 individuals given either omega-3 PUFA or control treatment were included. Beneficial changes in liver fat favoured PUFA treatment (effect size=-0.97, 95% CI: -0.58 to -1.35, p<0.001). A benefit of PUFA vs. control was also observed for AST (effect size=-0.97, 95% CI: -0.13 to -1.82, p=0.02). There was a trend towards favouring PUFA treatment on ALT but this was not significant (effect size=-0.56, 95% CI: -1.16 to 0.03, p=0.06). Sub-analyses of only randomised control trials (RCTs) showed a significant benefit for PUFA vs. control on liver fat (effect size=-0.96, 95% CI: -0.43 to -1.48, p<0.001), but not for ALT (p=0.74) or AST (p=0.28). There was significant heterogeneity between studies. The pooled data suggest that omega-3 PUFA supplementation may decrease liver fat, however, the optimal dose is currently not known. Well designed RCTs which quantify the magnitude of effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on liver fat are needed.
Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Australia.
Helen M
HM
Parker
Nathan A
NA
Johnson
Catriona A
CA
Burdon
Jeffrey S
JS
Cohn
Helen T
HT
O'Connor
Jacob
J
George
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase