OBJECTIVES: 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.
OBJECTIVES: 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: David E St-Jules; Corilee A Watters; Elizabeth M Brunt; Lynne R Wilkens; Rachel Novotny; Patricia Belt; Joel E Lavine Journal: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 2.839
Authors: Nikhil Adi; Jennipher Adi; Roberta Marques Lassance-Soares; Paul Kurlansky; Hong Yu; Keith A Webster Journal: J Diabetes Metab Date: 2016-06-16
Authors: Antonio Iannelli; Francesco Martini; Anne Sophie Schneck; Bijan Ghavami; Guillaume Baudin; Rodolphe Anty; Jean Gugenheim Journal: Obes Surg Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 4.129
Authors: E Madison Sullivan; Edward Ross Pennington; William D Green; Melinda A Beck; David A Brown; Saame Raza Shaikh Journal: Adv Nutr Date: 2018-05-01 Impact factor: 8.701