Research Article Details

Article ID: A12983
PMID: 30197273
Source: J Clin Lipidol
Title: Effects of free omega-3 carboxylic acids and fenofibrate on liver fat content in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids and fenofibrates reduces serum triglyceride levels, but few studies have compared the effect of these agents on liver fat. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the EFFECT I trial (NCT02354976) was to determine the effects of free omega-3 carboxylic acids (OM-3CA) and fenofibrate on liver fat in overweight or obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients were randomized to receive oral doses of 4&#160;g OM-3CA (n&#160;=&#160;25), 200&#160;mg fenofibrate (n&#160;=&#160;27), or placebo (n&#160;=&#160;26) for 12&#160;weeks in a double-blind, parallel-group study. Liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and volume, pancreas volume, and adipose tissue volumes were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Changes in liver PDFF at 12&#160;weeks were not significantly different across treatment groups (relative changes from baseline: placebo,&#160;+4%; OM-3CA, -2%; and fenofibrate,&#160;+17%). The common PNPLA3 genetic polymorphism (I148M) did not significantly influence the effects of OM-3CA or fenofibrate on liver PDFF. Fenofibrate treatment significantly increased liver and pancreas volumes vs placebo treatment, and the changes in liver and pancreas volumes were positively correlated (rho 0.45, P&#160;=&#160;.02). Total liver fat volume increased significantly in patients using fenofibrate vs OM-3CA (+23% vs -3%, P&#160;=&#160;.04). Compared with OM-3CA, fenofibrate increased total liver fat and liver volume. Serum triglycerides decreased with OM-3CA (-26%, P&#160;=&#160;.02) and fenofibrate (-38%, P&#160;<&#160;.001) vs placebo. In contrast to OM-3CA, fenofibrate reduced plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels and increased plasma acetylcarnitine and butyrylcarnitine levels, estimated delta-9 desaturase activity and the concentration of urine F2-isoprostanes. CONCLUSIONS: OM-3CA and fenofibrate reduced serum triglycerides but did not reduce liver fat. Fenofibrate increased total liver volume and total liver fat volume vs OM-3CA, indicating a complex effect of fenofibrate on human hepatic lipid metabolism.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2018.08.003