The impact of choline supplementation on oxidative stress and clinical outcomes among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. Nutrition, particularly micronutrients, plays a crucial role in the development and progression of NAFLD.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the impact of choline supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in patients with NAFLD.

DESIGN

A randomized, controlled, single-blinded study.

METHODS

Eligible NAFLD patients were randomized to; choline group (n = 39), received conventional management plus phosphatidylcholine (PC) 2400 mg/day for 12 weeks, or control group (n = 40), received conventional management for 12 weeks, and 10 healthy volunteers were included. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory evaluations were performed at baseline and after treatment.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, choline group showed significant differences versus controls by improvement in controlled attenuation parameter (304 vs 332 dB/m, p < 0.001) and fibrosis score (5.3 vs 6.8 kPa, p < 0.001), reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels (1.9 vs 3.8 nmol/mL, p < 0.001), a decline in leptin levels (1.3 vs 2.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), p < 0.001 and 0.004 respectively). Also, the lipid profile improved by a significant decline in triglyceride levels in choline versus controls 133 versus 158, p = 0.048.

CONCLUSION

Choline supplementation in NAFLD patients demonstrated a favorable impact on hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profile. These findings suggest that choline may be a promising therapeutic option for NAFLD management. Further large-scale, long-term studies are warranted to investigate the clinical benefits of choline supplementation in NAFLD patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov and given the ID number: NCT05200156.