title: Effect of a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. A Randomized Controlled Clinici Trial.
abstract: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common form of liver disease worldwide affecting all ages and ethnic groups and it has become a consistent threat even in young people. Our aim was to estimate the effect of a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD) on the NAFLD score as measured by a Liver Ultrasonography (LUS).
  
  
  
  NUTRIzione in EPAtologia (NUTRIEPA) is a population-based Double-Blind RCT. Data were collected in 2011 and analyzed in 2013-14.
  
  
  
  98 men and women coming from Putignano (Puglia, Southern Italy) were drawn from a previous randomly sampled population-based study and identified as having moderate or severe NAFLD.
  
  
  
  The intervention strategy was the assignment of a LGIMD or a control diet.
  
  
  
  The main outcome measure was NAFLD score, defined by LUS.
  
  
  
  After randomization, 50 subjects were assigned to a LGIMD and 48 to a control diet. The study lasted six months and all participants were subject to monthly controls/checks. Adherence to the LGIMD as measured by Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) showed a median of 10.1. A negative interaction between time and LGIMD on the NAFLD score (-4.14, 95% CI -6.78,-1.49) was observed, and became more evident at the sixth month (-4.43, 95%CI -7.15, -1.71). A positive effect of the interaction among LGIMD, time and age (Third month: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02, 0.12; Sixth month: 0.08, 95% CI 0.03,0.13) was also observed.
  
  
  
  LGIMD was found to decrease the NAFLD score in a relatively short time. Encouraging those subjects who do not seek medical attention but still have NAFLD to follow a LGIMD and other life-style interventions, may reduce the degree of severity of the disease. Dietary intervention of this kind, could also form the cornerstone of primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Alberto Rubén Osella, PhD, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, IRCCS Saverio de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy, Tel: +39 0804994655, Fax: +39 0804994650, e-mail: arosella@irccsdebellis.it.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Misciagna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Pilar Díaz
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Caramia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonfiglio
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Noviello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiloiro
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Abbrescia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirizzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanzi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reddavide
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Inguaggiato
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cisternino
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Osella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin
keywords: Hepatic steatosis; Mediterranean diet; low glycemic index Mediterranean diet