SummaryBackground Recent studies suggest a role of n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α ligands in improving non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rodents. However, data in humans are still lacking.
Aim To evaluate the efficacy of prolonged PUFA supplementation in patients with NAFLD.
Methods Fifty‐six patients with NAFLD were enrolled. Among the overall eligible patients, 42 assumed n‐3 PUFA 1‐g capsule daily for 12 months, whereas 14 refused the treatment and were analysed as controls. All patients underwent haematochemical and ultrasound follow‐up.
Results Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation significantly decreased serum aspartate transaminase (P = 0.003), alanine transaminase (P = 0.002), γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (P = 0.03), triglycerides (P = 0.02) and fasting glucose (P = 0.02) in comparison with controls. Circulating arachidonate and n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio was reduced (P = 0.0002, and P = 0.0001 respectively) in treated patients. Moreover, ultrasonography demonstrated improvement of liver echotexture after PUFA (P = 0.0001), and increase of Doppler perfusion index (P = 0.001), whereas no significant changes occurred in controls.
Conclusions Supplementation with n‐3 PUFA improves biochemical, ultrasonographic and haemodynamic features of liver steatosis. Our study supports the efficacy of n‐3 PUFA as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of NAFLD.
