BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS IN NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE, IN CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing and is strongly associated with abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. To date, there are no proven effective therapies that halt NAFLD progression or improve prognosis in children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids (enriched in vitamins) treatment in NAFLD, in obese children. Thirty obese children (10-16 years old) and thirty lean children (10-16 years old) were involved. Each day, for three months, obese children took Omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA 130 mg and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA 25 mg) and vitamins (A 200 µg, D 1.25 µg, E 2.5 mg and C 30 mg). The antropometric markers, lipid profile, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, leptin, ceruloplasmin, albumin/globulin ratio), insulin resistance marker (HOMA-IR), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and liver tests (albumin, bilirubin, protrombin time, ALT, AST) were measured before and after treatment. Ultrasounds were used for NAFLD diagnosis. In obese children versus lean subjects all the measured parameters were modified. In obese children, after treatment, lower levels for waist circumference (p<0.05), total colesterol (p<0.02), triglycerides (p<0.01), PAI-1 (p<0.05), ALT and AST activities (p<0.02), HOMA-IR (p<0.005), bilirulin (p<0.02) were measured. After treatment, all the above inflammatory markers (p<0.05) were reduced, while albumin (p<0.05) and calcium (p<0.05) were increased. In conclusion, in obese children, treatment with Omega-3 fatty acids, associated with low doses of lipid soluble vitamins and 30 mg of vitamin C, has strong beneficial effects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Rezumat Ficatul gras nonalcoolic (NAFLD) are o incidenţă crescută si este asociat cu obezitatea abdominală, dislipidemia si rezistenţa la insulină. In prezent, nu există o terapie dovedită pentru stoparea evoluţiei NAFLD sau pentru imbunătăţirea prognosticului la copii.