Effect of 4-Week Consumption of "Navelina" Oranges on Serum Lipid Profile in Patients with MASLD: Evidence from a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) refers to fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome. MASLD causes alterations in lipid metabolism, which can be regulated with a diet rich in polyphenols. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of 400 g of "Navelina" oranges for 4 weeks on serum lipid profiles in a group of 60 patients with MASLD, to identify specific lipid species associated with improvements in hepatic steatosis. Methods: Blood samples were collected from all participants, and biochemical measurements and a serum lipidomic profile were performed. Finally, a Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between serum lipidomic fatty acids and biochemical lipid markers. Results: In the experimental treatment arm, serum lipidomic analysis showed a slight decrease in Arachidonic acid (AA) and the Arachidonic acid/Eicosapentaenoic acid ratio (AA/EPA ratio) but no significant interaction between time and treatment was detected. In the same group, Oleic acid, MUFAs and the AA/EPA ratio were significantly and negatively correlated with HDL (r = -0.368, p = 0.046), (r = -0.384, p = 0.036), and (r = -0.522, p = 0.003), respectively. Conversely, EPA and n-3 PUFAs were positively and significantly correlated with HDL (r = 0.447, p = 0.013) and (r = 0.403, p = 0.027) respectively. Conclusions: Furthermore, this study represents one of the first clinical trials to shed a light on the potential association of "Navelina" orange polyphenols on serum fatty acid profiles in patients with MASLD, supporting studies on the nutraceutical effect of oranges on lipid metabolism.