Aronia and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Overview

Adults newly diagnosed with NAFLD will be included in the study. At the beginning of the research, the socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional habits of the individuals will be questioned with a face-to-face questionnaire. In addition, at the beginning of the study, blood samples, 3-day food consumption record, physical activity record, anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist, hip and neck circumference and body composition analysis) and stool samples will be taken from the patients. Oxidative stress (TAS, TOS, SOD, Malondialdehyde, Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione, AGE and DNA oxidative damage) and inflammation (CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-17, IL-23, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-beta) parameters in blood samples will be analyzed. Patients will then be randomized into four groups to follow a Mediterranean diet supplemented with aronia, a Mediterranean diet, a low-fat diet supplemented with aronia, or a low-fat diet. Necessary training will be given to the participants so that they can apply the individually planned diet. Dietary adherence and anthropometric measurements will be evaluated every 2 weeks. At the end of the twelve-week follow-up, all parameters evaluated at the beginning of the study will be repeated and compared with previous values.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease in which more than 5% fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis). It has become the most common liver disease in adults with the effect of obesity. In fact, NAFLD is seen in approximately 25% of adults. If left untreated, it can progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and end-stage liver failure. It is obvious that it is necessary to identify preventive factors for NAFLD and to develop new approaches for its treatment. There is an increase in inflammation and oxidative stress levels in NAFLD, which is important for the development of possible treatment methods. In this study, the Mediterranean diet supplemented with aronia is expected to contribute positively to progression of the disease by improving inflammation and oxidative stress parameters. Adding aronia to the Mediterranean diet will increase the polyphenol content of this diet. This study was planned with the thought that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with aronia will have positive effects on hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and microbiota in NAFLD, where lifestyle changes, including healthy nutrition, are included in the primary treatment.