Vitamin E as a Treatment for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Reality or Myth?

Abstract

Obesity is one of the major epidemics of this millennium, and its incidence is growing worldwide. Following the epidemics of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a disease of increasing prevalence and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality closely related to cardiovascular disease, malignancies, and cirrhosis. It is believed that oxidative stress is a main player in the development and progression of NAFLD. Currently, a pharmacological approach has become necessary in NAFLD because of a failure to modify lifestyle and dietary habits in most patients. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in NAFLD. This review summarizes the biological activities of vitamin E, with a primary focus on its therapeutic efficacy in NAFLD.

Vitamin E

“…This paper comes back to the initial discovery of vitamin E in 1922 as a substance necessary for reproduction. El Hadi et al [ 10 ] discuss vitamin E as a potent antioxidant being able to reduce oxidative stress in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. They also present therapeutic efficacy.…”

Real World Evidence of Safety and Effectiveness of Combination of Vitamin E and <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> in Treatment of Indian Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…A randomized three arm controlled trial (PIVENS) conducted by Sanyal AJ et al, on 247 patients who received vitamin E 800 IU once daily for the period of 96 weeks in one arm showed reduction in AST and ALT levels by 21.3 IU/L and 37 IU/L respectively [5]. Open Journal of Gastroenterology excellent anti-oxidant and help in neutralizing reactive oxygen species generated due to disturbed metabolism [10] [11]. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials conducted by Sato K, et al; found vitamin E significantly improved liver function and histologic changes in patients with NAFLD/NASH.…”

Dietary Intervention Accelerates NASH Resolution Depending on Inflammatory Status with Minor Additive Effects on Hepatic Injury by Vitamin E Supplementation

“…This is supported by meta-analyses of clinical trials, where vitE has been shown to decrease aminotransferase levels (hepatic injury enzymes), improve steatosis, lobular inflammation, ballooning hepatocytes, and to be effective in the overall resolution of steatohepatitis [28,29]. Additional mechanisms of vitE supplementation have been proposed, including regulation of the inflammatory response, cell proliferation and regulation of the expression of target genes coupled to the formation of hepatic damage in NASH [30,31]. VitE putatively possesses the ability to inhibit the activity of protein kinase C, resulting in reduced proliferation and adhesion of various cell types, including monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils hallmarking NASH, as well as fibroblasts involved in the deposition of extracellular fibrosis [11,30,31].…”