The Role of Phytosterols in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is now recognized as the most common cause of chronic liver disease with an increasing prevalence in both adults and children. Although the symptoms are absent or poorly expressed in most cases, some patients may progress to end-stage liver disease. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is known to be multifactorial. Current therapeutic recommendations focus on lifestyle changes in order to reduce the incidence of risk factors and drugs targeting major molecular pathways potentially involved in the development of this disease. Given that a pharmacological treatment, completely safe and effective, is not currently known in recent years more research has been done on the effects that some bio-active natural compounds, derived from plants, have in preventing the onset and progression of NAFLD. Numerous studies, in animals and humans, have shown that phytosterols (PSs) play an important role in this pathology. Phytosterols are natural products that are found naturally in plant. More than 250 phytosterols have been identified, but the most common in the diet are stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and campesterol. Consumption of dietary PSs can reduce serum cholesterol levels. Due to these properties, most studies have focused on their action on lipid metabolism and the evolution of NAFLD. PSs may reduce steatosis, cytotoxicity oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the importance of dietary phytosterols, which are a window of opportunity in the therapeutic management of NAFLD.

Systematic Metabolic Profiling of Mice with Sleep‐Deprivation

“…[ 73 ] Canolesterol has anti‐inflammatory, [ 74 ] and anticancer effects, [ 75 ] may be used to treat and manage NAFLD. [ 76 ] In the NASH (non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis) model group, rapesosterol decreased significantly before the onset. [ 77 ]…”

“…[73] Canolesterol has anti-inflammatory, [74] and anticancer effects, [75] may be used to treat and manage NAFLD. [76] In the NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) model group, rapesosterol decreased significantly before the onset. [77] Alpha-tocopherol is traditionally considered the most active form of vitamin E in the body and a powerful biological antioxidant.…”

Lactobacillus sakei MJM60958 as a Potential Probiotic Alleviated Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet by Modulating Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota

“…Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease which affects both adults and children [ 24 ]. NAFLD has a complex physiopathology related to insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases [ 7 , 8 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Indolepropionic Acid, a Gut Bacteria-Produced Tryptophan Metabolite and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…Tryptophan, a substrate for IPA, is derived from dietary sources as are the phytosterols. Both are known for their cholesterol-lowering effects [ 81 ]. For this narrative review, we explored the correlation between these phytosterols and IPA in KOBS individuals ( n = 48).…”