Dietary consumption and serum pattern of bioactive fatty acids in NAFLD patients

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Some dietary fatty acids have showed different bioactive functions in metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to determine the dietary consumption patterns and serum percentage of bioactive fatty acids in NAFLD patients.

Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study with NAFLD patients and non-NAFLD patients. Dietary consumption of bioactive fatty acids was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. NAFLD and liver fibrosis were diagnosed by transient elastography. The identification of serum bioactive fatty acids was achieved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (%). Bioactive fatty acids consumption was correlated with NAFLD clinical characteristics with the Spearman correlation analysis.

Results: A total of 299 patients were included, whose mean of age and body mass index were 44.2±9.9 years and 25.9±3.8kg/m², respectively. The consumption of bioactive fatty acids was no different regarding the presence of NAFLD; however, the consumption of stearic and linoleic fatty acids was higher in relation with NAFLD severity (p≤0.05). The consumption of myristic acid was higher in patients with fibrosis (p=0.02). Serum percentage and dietary consumption did not show correlations.

Conclusion: Dietary consumption of bioactive fatty acids is different according to NAFLD severity. Individualized diets according to NAFLD severity could be successful in order to prevent liver injury-related outcomes.

Keywords: Body mass index; Lipids; Liver; NAFLD; Nutrition.