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Omega-3 supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Parker, Helen M., Johnson, Nathan A., Burdon, Catriona A., Cohn, Jeffrey S., O’Connor, Helen T., George, Jacob·2012·Journal of Hepatology
DOI 10.1016/j.jhep.2011.08.018
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Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a frequent accompaniment of obesity and insulin resistance. With the prevalence approaching 85% in obese populations, new therapeutic approaches to manage NAFLD are warranted. A systematic search of the literature was conducted for studies pertaining to the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on NAFLD in humans. Primary outcome measures were liver fat and liver function tests: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase [1]. Data were pooled and meta-analyses conducted using a random effects model. Nine eligible studies, involving 355 individuals given either omega-3 PUFA or control treatment were included. Beneficial changes in liver fat favoured PUFA treatment (effect size=-0.97, 95% CI: -0.58 to -1.35, p<0.001). A benefit of PUFA vs. control was also observed for AST (effect size=-0.97, 95% CI: -0.13 to -1.82, p=0.02). There was a trend towards favouring PUFA treatment on ALT but this was not significant (effect size=-0.56, 95% CI: -1.16 to 0.03, p=0.06). Sub-analyses of only randomised control trials (RCTs) showed a significant benefit for PUFA vs. control on liver fat (effect size=-0.96, 95% CI: -0.43 to -1.48, p<0.001), but not for ALT (p=0.74) or AST (p=0.28). There was significant heterogeneity between studies. The pooled data suggest that omega-3 PUFA supplementation may decrease liver fat, however, the optimal dose is currently not known. Well designed RCTs which quantify the magnitude of effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on liver fat are needed.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Parker, H. M., Johnson, N. A., Burdon, C. A., Cohn, J. S., O’Connor, H. T., & George, J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • The Heart Research Institute (AU)
Corresponding author
George, Jacob
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Hepatology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-04
Volume
56
Issue
4
Pages
944-951
ISSN
0168-8278 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jhep.2011.08.018
OpenAlex
W2114090706
Cited by
569
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 50 · 2016: 60 · 2015: 46 · 2014: 47 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 16
FWCI
3.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Hepatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Health and Medical Research Council (358398)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
Keywords
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dietary supplementation, liver fat, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, liver function tests, obesity, insulin resistance
MeSH terms
Adult, Alanine Transaminase, Aspartate Aminotransferases, Fatty Liver, Female, Humans, Liver, Male, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Treatment Outcome, Dietary Supplements, Lipid Metabolism, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

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