Efficacy of different interventions for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A meta-analysis of lifestyle modifications, silymarin, and medications.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of silymarin or its combination with lifestyle modifications, Mediterranean hypocaloric diets, and medications for improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS AND STUDY

DESIGN

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Clin-icalTrails.gov were used to identify relevant studies. The treatment arm was silymarin or its combination with Mediterranean hypocaloric diets, medications, or lifestyle modifications. The comparators were placebo, Mediterranean hypocaloric diets, medications, and lifestyle modifications.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 25 studies with 2283 patients. Total cholesterol levels were reduced by silymarin+Mediterranean hypocaloric diets (SMD: -0.39 (-0.81, 0.03), p=0.072) or medications [SMD: -1.12 (-1.67, -0.58), p<0.001]. Triglyceride levels were decreased by silymarin combined with the medication [SMD: -0.92 (-1.98, 0.14), p=0.080]. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced by silymarin alone [SMD: -0.25 (-0.48, -0.03), p=0.027]. The combination of silymarin with Mediterranean hypocaloric diets [SMD: -0.47 (-0.90, -0.04), p=0.031] or lifestyle modifications [SMD: -0.88 (-1.09, -0.66), p<0.0001] decreased alanine aminotransferase levels. Aspartate aminotransferase levels were reduced by a combination of silymarin and life-style modifications [SMD: -0.72 (-1.49, 0.05), p=0.061] or medications [SMD: -1.41 (-2.24, -0.59), p=0.005]. Silymarin (2.5 times) or silymarin plus lifestyle modifications (39%) reduced the hepatic steatosis rate in patients with NAFLD. The silymarin use increased the rate of patients with adverse effects [RR:1.98 (1.11, 3.54)]; gastrointestinal problems were the most common adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the overall advantages of therapies, different interventions showed different effects on markers in patients with NAFLD. These results highlight the need for more research to fully comprehend the features of the intervention.