Diabetes Mellitus, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (Omega 6): What Is the Link?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Type 2 DM and obesity are the coming epidemics and their association with NAFLD is well established; essential fatty acids are vital for body health yet the body cannot make them; 2 essential fatty acids are especially important: linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linoleic (omega-3) acids; they can be considered as "bioactive lipids" and serve as functional foods.

METHODS: 50 type 2 Egyptian diabetic patients controlled on oral hypoglycemic drugs together with 20 age- and sex-matched healthy participants were enrolled in the study; all were subjected to complete history taking, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, ALT, AST, GGT, urea and creatinine, total lipid profile, hepatitis markers including hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C virus antibodies, conjugated linoleic fatty acid "CLA," and abdominal ultrasound for grading of NAFLD.

RESULTS: Our study in Egyptian diabetics with NAFLD revealed a low level of serum CLA compared to healthy control; such deficiency was more marked with advanced grades of NAFLD; lowest levels were observed in those with severe steatosis (NASH) with definite association between CLA and obesity.

CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance is the main link between NAFLD, diabetes, and obesity. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has a role in fat deposition in the liver and in development and improvement of insulin resistance. Fatty food had a documented role in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes but it can also be the cure.