Does Cranberry Supplementation Decrease Noninvasive Fibrosis Scores in NAFLD Patients? A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Due to the lack of effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we assumed that cranberry supplementation may be effective in these patients. Therefore, we investigated the effect of cranberry supplementation on fibrosis levels in patients with NAFLD. Methods: This trial was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial. It included 110 adult patients (aged>18 years) with NAFLD. All patients were visited by an expert dietitian and received the hypocaloric diet plus vitamin E supplement. Then, the patients entered into a six-month trial to receive cranberry capsules (55 patients) or placebo (55 patients). We calculated the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis scores based on 4 factors (FIB-4), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI). The intention-to-treat (ITT) approach was used to analyze the data. Results: The participants’ mean age was 43.16±10.23 years. The demographic and baseline clinical features were similar in the two groups. In the cranberry group, there were significant changes in APRI (P=0.03), and NFS (P<0.001) scores. In the placebo groups, there were significant changes in APRI (P=0.005), FIB-4 (P=0.03), and NFS (P<0.001) scores. However, no between-group significant differences were observed in the changes in FIB-4 (P=0.64), APRI (P=0.78), and NFS score (P=0.38). Conclusion: Based on the results, cranberry supplementation was not more effective than placebo in liver fibrosis grade.