The effect of oral alpha lipoic acid supplementation on serum levels of ferritin, adiponectin, some inflammatory biomarkers and body composition in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Backgrounds and aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - the most common chronic liver disease in the world- ranges from simple steatosis to the more aggressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been identified as pathophysiological factors in the development of NAFLD and recent studies have indicated that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents are efficacious for its treatment. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA), with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, seems to be a good strategy for the NAFLD improvement. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ALA supplementation on serum levels of ferritin, adiponectin and inflammatory markers in obese patients with NAFLD. Methods: In the current double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 50 obese patients with NAFLD were randomly allocated to either “ALA group”(who received 1200 mg ALA as two capsules per day plus 400 mg vitamin E as routine treatment) or “placebo group”(who received placebo containing corn flour as two capsules per day plus 400 IU vitamin E) as well as general dietary advice for 12 weeks. Body composition and anthropometric measures, serum levels of ferritin, adiponectin and inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10 and Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)) were measured at the baseline and end of the study. Dietary data and physical activity were collected at baseline, week 6 and end of the study. Results: Totally, 45 patients completed the study (ALA group= 23; placebo group=22). Anthropometric measures, fat mass, visceral fat and serum levels of ALT decreased significantly during the study in both groups. Indeed, serum levels of ferritin, IL-6 and AST decreased significantly and serum adiponectin level as well as muscle mass and total bady water increased significantly in ALA group while only serum IL-10 decreased significantly in placebo group. At the end of the study, the changes in serum levels of IL-6 (P=0.049) and adiponectin (P=0.008) were statistically significant between the groups. Cocnlusions: Our findings indicate that ALA supplementation had beneficial effects on serum adiponectin and IL-6 levels in patients with NAFLD.