Research Article Details
Article ID: | A16833 |
PMID: | 28139281 |
Source: | Clin Nutr |
Title: | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease in Western countries. Metabolic disorders which are increasing in prevalence, such as dyslipidaemias, obesity and type 2 diabetes, are closely related to NAFLD. Insulin resistance is a prominent risk factor for NAFLD. Marine omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are able to decrease plasma triacylglycerol and diets rich in marine n-3 PUFAs are associated with a lower cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, marine n-3 PUFAs are precursors of pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory mediators. They can modulate lipid metabolism by enhancing fatty acid β-oxidation and decreasing de novo lipogenesis. Therefore, they may play an important role in prevention and therapy of NAFLD. METHODS: This review aims to gather the currently information about marine n-3 PUFAs as a therapeutic approach in NAFLD. Actions of marine n-3 PUFAs on hepatic fat metabolism are reported, as well as studies addressing the effects of marine n-3 PUFAs in human subjects with NAFLD. RESULTS: A total seventeen published human studies investigating the effects of n-3 PUFAs on markers of NAFLD were found and twelve of these reported a decrease in liver fat and/or other markers of NAFLD after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs. The failure of n-3 PUFAs to decrease markers of NAFLD in five studies may be due to short duration, poor compliance, patient specific factors and the sensitivity of the methods used. CONCLUSIONS: Marine n-3 PUFAs are likely to be an important tool for NAFLD treatment, although further studies are required to confirm this. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.01.006 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S02 | Enhance lipid metabolism | triglyceride-lowering; lipid tolerance; lipid metabolism | 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitor; Decreases intestinal cholesterol absorption; FXR agonist; ACC inhibitor; FAS inhibitor; DGAT2 inhibitor; SCD-1 inhibitor | Atorvastatin; Ezetimibe; Obeticholic Acid; GS-9674; GS-0976; TVB-2640; IONIS-DGAT2rx; Aramchol; | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
S07 | Anti-lipogenesis | de novo lipogenesis; de novo lipogenesis; DNL; anti-lipogenic mechanisms; adipogenesis; anti-obesity | stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1); Acetyl-coenzyme carboxylase; acyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor (ACC inhibitor); stearoyl Coenzyme A desaturase inhibitor (SCD inhibitor); THR-beta selective agonist; DGAT2 inhibitor; FASN inhibitor | Aramchol; Firsocostat (GS-0976); VK-2809; ION 224 | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D258 | Omega 3 PUFA | Chemical drug | DB11133 | PPARG ligand; PPARA activator | Hypolipidemic drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D137 | Fish oil | Biological drug | DB13961 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D527 | EPA/DHA | Supplement | DB11133 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D504 | Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids | Supplement | -- | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D125 | Epanova | Chemical drug | DB11133 | PPARG ligand; PPARA activator | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under clinical trials | Details |