Review article: omega-3 fatty acids – a promising novel therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
G. S. MASTERTON,
J. N. PLEVRIS,
P. C. HAYES,
G. S. MASTERTON
Department of Hepatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Search for more papers by this authorJ. N. PLEVRIS
Centre for Liver and Digestive Disorders, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Search for more papers by this authorP. C. HAYES
Department of Hepatology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Search for more papers by this authorG. S. MASTERTON,
J. N. PLEVRIS,
P. C. HAYES,
G. S. MASTERTON
Department of Hepatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Search for more papers by this authorJ. N. PLEVRIS
Centre for Liver and Digestive Disorders, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Search for more papers by this authorP. C. HAYES
Department of Hepatology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Search for more papers by this authorDr G. S. Masterton, Department of Hepatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK.E-mail: [email protected]
This uncommissioned review article was subject to full peer-review.
Abstract
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 679–692
Summary
Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects 10–35% of the adult population worldwide; there is no consensus on its treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids have proven benefits for hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease, and have recently been suggested as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Aims To review the evidence base for omega-3 fatty acids in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and critically appraise the literature relating to human trials.
Methods A Medline and PubMed search was performed to identify relevant literature using search terms ‘omega-3’, ‘N-3 PUFA’, ‘eicosapentaenoic acid’, ‘docosahexaenoic acid’, ‘non-alcoholic fatty liver disease’ and ‘NAFLD’.
Results Omega-3 fatty acids are important regulators of hepatic gene transcription. Animal studies demonstrate that they reduce hepatic steatosis, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce markers of inflammation. Clinical trials in human subjects generally confirm these findings, but have significant design inadequacies.
Conclusions Omega-3 fatty acids are a promising treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which require to be tested in randomized placebo-controlled trials.
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