Omega-3 intake is associated with liver disease protection

Abstract

BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease are among the most common liver diseases worldwide, and there are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments. Recent studies have focused on lifestyle changes to prevent and treat NAFLD. Omega-3 supplementation is associated with improved outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease. However, it is unclear whether Omega-3 supplementation can prevent the development of liver disease, particularly in individuals at an increased (genetic) risk.MethodsIn this UK Biobank cohort study, we established a multivariate cox proportional hazards model for the risk of incident liver disease during an 11 year follow up time. We adjusted the model for diabetes, prevalent cardiovascular disorders, socioeconomic status, diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, medication intake (insulin, biguanides, statins and aspirin), and baseline characteristics.ResultsOmega-3 supplementation reduced the risk of incident liver disease (HR = 0.716; 95% CI: 0.639, 0.802; p = 7.6 × 10−9). This protective association was particularly evident for alcoholic liver disease (HR = 0.559; 95% CI: 0.347, 0.833; p = 4.3 × 10−3), liver failure (HR = 0.548; 95% CI: 0.343, 0.875; p = 1.2 × 10−2), and non-alcoholic liver disease (HR = 0.784; 95% CI: 0.650, 0.944; p = 1.0 × 10−2). Interestingly, we were able to replicate the association with reduced risk of NAFLD in a subset with liver MRIs (HR = 0.846; 95% CI: 0.777, 0.921; p = 1.1 × 10−4). In particular, women benefited from Omega-3 supplementation as well as heterozygous allele carriers of the liver-damaging variant PNPLA3 rs738409.ConclusionsOmega-3 supplementation may reduce the incidence of liver disease. Our study highlights the potential of personalized treatment strategies for individuals at risk of metabolic liver disease. Further evaluation in clinical trials is warranted before Omega-3 can be recommended for the prevention of liver disease.

Perilla seed oil as an adjunctive treatment with statins improves lipid profiles in elderly patients: a post hoc data analysis

“…(mean difference=0.50±0.16, p<0.02). P. frutescens seed oil is distinguished for its rich content of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids, predominantly alpha-linolenic acid [13]. Such fatty acids are deemed essential, necessitating dietary acquisition due to the body's inability to synthesize them [14].…”

“…A previous study in 2017 reported that omega-3 exhibited antiinflammatory effects compared to diclofenac. Omega-3 was found to function as a natural anti-inflammatory agent against osteoarthritis [13].…”

Can Nutraceuticals Support the Treatment of MASLD/MASH, and thus Affect the Process of Liver Fibrosis?

“…Studies involving humans also show promising results (Table 2). An analysis of British Biobank data by Vell et al showed that the regular consumption of n-3 fatty acids was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing liver disease, especially in the case of MASLD [121]. In a study by Cansanção et al, oral n-3 supplementation in the form of fish oil capsules (503 mg DHA and 103 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) three times daily for 6 months showed a significant reduction in liver fibrosis.…”

Lipid droplets in steatotic liver disease

“…This approach was based on the possible therapeutic effect of polyunsaturated FAs. However, in-vivo and clinical studies produced conflicting results [37,38 ▪ ]. Another method is intervening in the proteome surrounding the lipid droplet or targeting proteins responsible for lipid droplet growth and degradation.…”