Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study in Japanese men and women

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition, in which abnormal amounts of triglycerides accumulate in hepatocytes and is closely related to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Dietary fats contribute 15% of fat accumulation in the liver and regulate hepatic lipid metabolism. The supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) improves NAFLD. The aim of this study is to assess the cross-sectional association between dietary n-3 PUFAs and NAFLD in Japanese men and women. Subjects/Methods: Participants were middle-aged, apparently healthy, 296 men and 496 women, who did not drink alcohol and who participated in a general health check-up program. Dietary information from the previous month was obtained by the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. NAFLD was diagnosed if abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of fatty liver. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 45.3% in men and 17.5% in women. In comparison with the first tertile, multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the presence of NAFLD in the second and third tertiles for men taking eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were 0.59 (0.31-1.14) and 0.45 (0.23-0.90), respectively, (P for linear trend ¼ 0.024), and the multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the presence of NAFLD in the second and third tertiles for men taking EPA þ docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 0.44 (0.23-0.86) and 0.48 (0.24-0.95), respectively, (P for linear trend ¼ 0.035). However, there was no significant relation between NAFLD and each of these nutrients in women. Conclusions: Dietary EPA and EPA þ DHA may be independent and preventive nutrients for NAFLD in Japanese men.

Docosahexaenoic acid ameliorates palmitate-induced lipid accumulation and inflammation through repressing NLRC4 inflammasome activation in HepG2 cells

“…It was consistent with a previous study that DHA alleviates lipid deposition and inflammation and the supplementation of n-3 PUFAs ameliorates NAFLD in Japanese men and women [32]. However, the exact mechanisms of DHA in preventing NASH are not yet clear.…”

Eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio as a possible link between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease

“…Precise dietary intake was not examined in this study, but younger patients with NAFLD tended to consume high fat and high carbohydrate diets, and meat more than fish. This tendency was in accordance with previous reports . It was reported that the EPA/AA ratio of healthy Japanese living in urban areas was elevated stepwise with age: less than 35 years, 0.26 ± 0.17; 35–44 years, 0.29 ± 0.13; 45–54 years, 0.43 ± 0.23; 55–64 years, 0.58 ± 0.25; and 65 years or more, 0.68 ± 0.22 .…”

The Role of Nutrients in the Development, Progression, and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…89 Patients with NAFLD, and especially those with histologically confirmed NASH, have been found to not only consume less o-3 FA but also have less hepatocellular o-3 FA. 90,91 Intervention studies show variable results. Supplementation with EPA for 1 year led to decreased hepatic steatosis (diagnosed through imaging) and transaminase levels in 14 patients with NAFLD, 92 whereas 9 g/d of fish oil given to a different cohort of 22 obese adults for 4 weeks did not lead to significant changes in the degree of steatosis compared with placebo.…”