Abstract
(1) Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent disease worldwide. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) bear anti-inflammatory action and can ameliorate hyperlipidemia. We wish to appraise the effects of n-3 PUFAs supplement on NAFLD. (2) Methods: We searched CENTRAL, Embase, and MEDLINE on 29 March 2020 for randomized control trials (RCTs) on the effects of n-3 PUFAs supplementation in treating NAFLD. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to assess the risk of bias of included RCTs. (3) Results: We included 22 RCTs with 1366 participants. The risk of bias of included RCTs was generally low or unclear. n-3 PUFAs supplementation significantly reduced liver fat compared with placebo (pooled risk ratio 1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09 to 2.13). n-3 PUFAs supplementation also significantly improved the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and body-mass index, with pooled mean difference and 95% CI being −28.57 (−40.81 to −16.33), −7.82 (−14.86 to −0.79), 3.55 (1.38 to 5.73), and −0.46 (−0.84 to −0.08), respectively. (4) Conclusions: The current evidence supports the effects of n-3 PUFAs supplementation in improving fatty liver. n-3 PUFAs supplementation may also improve blood lipid levels and obesity.
Highlights
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is getting attention globally on account of its increasing prevalence [1]
The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from non-alcoholic fatty liver, which is defined as simple steatosis with no or scanty inflammation, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [3], which may progress to fibrosis or even cirrhosis [4]
We executed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of marine n-3 PUFAs supplement in treating NAFLD
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is getting attention globally on account of its increasing prevalence [1]. Among 1.5 billion people in a recent study, the primary type of chronic liver disease was NAFLD (60%), succeeded by hepatitis B (29%), hepatitis C (9%), and alcoholic liver disease (2%) [2]. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from non-alcoholic fatty liver, which is defined as simple steatosis with no or scanty inflammation, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [3], which may progress to fibrosis or even cirrhosis [4]. Liver cirrhosis is considered end stage liver disease with presence of septal fibrosis and nodular parenchymal regeneration. NAFLD patients have increased mortality with increasing stages of liver fibrosis [6]. 37.3% of T2DM patients suffer from NAFLD. Several comorbidities including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and extrahepatic cancer have been reported [14,15]
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