Omega-3 fatty acids improve hepatic steatosis in a murine model: potential implications for the marginal steatotic liver donor.

The presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often precludes potential organs from being used for transplantation. To date, there is no adequate treatment for hepatic steatosis, and it is expected that, because of increased obesity in Western society, the incidence of this disorder will increase. We investigated the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on the treatment of hepatic steatosis in C57/Bl6 mice fed a high-carbohydrate, fat-free diet and in B6.V-Lep(ob) obese mice. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reversed hepatic steatosis in C57/Bl6 mice fed a high-carbohydrate, fat-free diet and converted macrovesicular to microvesicular steatosis in B6.V-Lep(ob) obese mice as determined by histology, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and liver biochemistry We therefore conclude that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves hepatic steatosis in mice and may be used to increase the pool of potential live liver donors that are currently excluded because of the presence of macrovesicular steatosis.