Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study in Japanese men and women

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Oct;64(10):1179-85. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.139. Epub 2010 Aug 4.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition, in which abnormal amounts of triglycerides accumulate in hepatocytes and is closely related to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Dietary fats contribute 15% of fat accumulation in the liver and regulate hepatic lipid metabolism. The supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) improves NAFLD. The aim of this study is to assess the cross-sectional association between dietary n-3 PUFAs and NAFLD in Japanese men and women.

Subjects/methods: Participants were middle-aged, apparently healthy, 296 men and 496 women, who did not drink alcohol and who participated in a general health check-up program. Dietary information from the previous month was obtained by the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. NAFLD was diagnosed if abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of fatty liver.

Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 45.3% in men and 17.5% in women. In comparison with the first tertile, multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the presence of NAFLD in the second and third tertiles for men taking eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were 0.59 (0.31-1.14) and 0.45 (0.23-0.90), respectively, (P for linear trend=0.024), and the multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the presence of NAFLD in the second and third tertiles for men taking EPA+docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 0.44 (0.23-0.86) and 0.48 (0.24-0.95), respectively, (P for linear trend=0.035). However, there was no significant relation between NAFLD and each of these nutrients in women.

Conclusions: Dietary EPA and EPA+DHA may be independent and preventive nutrients for NAFLD in Japanese men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet*
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatty Liver / epidemiology*
  • Fatty Liver / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Ultrasonography
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid