Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD) is the most common chronic
liver disease in the world.
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound with
antioxidant capacity that shows beneficial effects on down-regulation of inflammatory mediators and metabolic disorders. We hypothesized that supplementation with
resveratrol can further improve the efficacy of lifestyle modifications in the management of
NAFLD. In this randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial, 50
NAFLD patients were supplemented with either a 500-mg
resveratrol capsule or a placebo
capsule for 12 weeks. Both groups were advised to follow an energy-balanced diet and received physical activity recommendations. Serum liver
enzymes, inflammatory markers, hepatic steatosis and
fibrosis, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity were assessed at both baseline and the end of the study. In both groups, anthropometric measurements (
weight, body mass index, waist circumference), liver
enzymes, and steatosis grade improved (P < 005).
Resveratrol supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in liver
enzyme alanine aminotransferase, inflammatory
cytokines, nuclear factor κB activity, serum
cytokeratin-18, and hepatic steatosis grade, as compared with placebo supplementation (P < .05). For the treatment of
NAFLD, our results showed that 12 weeks of supplementation of 500 mg
resveratrol, along with lifestyle modification, is superior to lifestyle modification alone. This is at least partially due to the attenuation of inflammatory markers and hepatocellular apoptosis. More studies are needed to confirm and increase the clinical application of the present results.