ORAL ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION IN OBESE PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: EFFECTS ON METABOLIC MARKERS AND CLINICAL FEATURES

Background and Aim: The beneficial effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on insulin resistance and metabolic disorders have previously been shown. This study aimed to examine the effects of ALA supplementation on hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, glucose-related parameters and lipid profile in obese patients with NAFLD.Methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 50 obese patients with NAFLD were randomly allocated to ALA group (received 1200 mg ALA as two capsules per day) or Placebo group (received placebo containing cornstarch as two capsules per day) for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measures, dietary intakes, hepatic enzymes as well as glucose-related parameters and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks intervention. Results: forty-five patients completed the study (ALA group=23; placebo group=22). Hepatic enzymes were not significantly altered by the intervention. ALA supplementation led to a significant attenuation in serum levels of insulin (p=0.019), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p=0.024), and serum triglyceride (p=0.037), in comparison with the placebo group; no significant effects were revealed on fasting serum glucose (FSG) concentrations and β-cell function index (HOMA-B). The number needed to treat (NNT) values for at least one and two grade improvement in hepatic steatosis were 3 and 6, respectively.Conclusion: Patients with NAFLD may benefit from ALA supplementation, at least partially through augmented insulin sensitivity and improvement of lipid profile and hepatic steatosis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alpha-lipoic acid ، Hepatic steatosis ، Insulin resistance ، Lipid profile ، Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease