Does vitamin D improve liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum aminotransferases, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fifty-three patients with NAFLD were enrolled in a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either one oral pearl consisting of 50,000 IU vitamin D3 (n = 27) or a placebo (n = 26), every 14 days for 4 months. Serum aminotransferases, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor α, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, transforming growth factor β1, as well as grade of hepatic steatosis and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were assessed pre- and post-intervention. In patients who received vitamin D supplement compared to the controls, the median of serum 25(OH)D3 significantly increased (16.2 vs. 1.6 ng/ml, P < 0.001). This increase accompanied by significant decrease in serum MDA (-2.09 vs. -1.23 ng/ml, P = 0.03) and near significant changes in serum hs-CRP (-0.25 vs. 0.22 mg/l, P = 0.06). These between-group differences remained significant even after controlling for baseline covariates. Other variables showed no significant changes. Improved vitamin D status led to amelioration in serum hs-CRP and MDA in patients with NAFLD. This might be considered as an adjunctive therapy to attenuate systemic inflammation and lipid peroxidation alongside other treatments for NAFLD patients.

Active form of vitamin D ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by alleviating oxidative stress in a high-fat diet rat model

“…A randomized clinical trial showed that vitamin D reduced serum MDA and liver enzymes, decreased oxidative stress, and reduced the expression of inflammatory biomarkers in adults with NAFLD [29]. In our previous study, the active form of vitamin D down-regulated the NF-κB pathway via Toll-like receptor 4; this was associated with a strong anti-inflammatory effect in rats subjected to liver injury [17].…”

Effect of Short-Term Vitamin D Correction on Hepatic Steatosis as Quantified by Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP)

“…In the only published study assessing the direct effects of vitamin D on hepatic steatosis, Sharifi et al [37] recently showed an anti-inflammatory response in NALFD patients. In addition to a weight loss intervention in all patients recommending restriction of high-carbohydrate, high-fat foods and an increase in physical activity, 27 patients received 50,000 IU vitamin D3/biweekly for four months (and 26 received placebo).…”

Impact of vitamin D supplementation on endothelial and inflammatory markers in adults: A systematic review

“…Four studies [40][41][42][43], recruited participants with other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), polycystic ovary syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Amongst these studies, one study [41], performed in cystic fibrosis patients, found significant reduction in an inflammatory marker, TNF-α (mean ± SD) 55.67 ± 8.18 pg/ml -27.62 ± 5.82 pg/ml, P < 0.01) ( Table 1).…”