Modification of dietary patterns in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Aim. To assess efficacy of dietary patterns’ modification with the use of specialized food in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Materials and methods. We developed new specialized food (SPP2) based on literature data on the role of dietary patterns in pathogenesis of NASH. It contained ω-3 PUFAs, soluble dietary fiber, phospholipids, α-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q₁₀, L-carnitine, complex of vitamins. Patients with NASH (per EASL guidelines), were invited to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to receive either isocaloric diet (ICD) alone (based on the results of indirect calorimetry – Cosmed, Italy) or isocaloric diet with specialized food (2 portions of SPP2 a day), for 14 days. Repeated examinations of body composition with phase angle analysis (InBody, Republic of Korea) and blood chemistry were performed at baseline (BL) and after 14 days (EOT). The patients were advised to follow usual physical activity during the study. Non-parametric statistics was used to compare BL and EOT characteristics in the groups.

Results. The groups did not differ by age, proportion of females, and baseline characteristics of body composition. Adherence to the diet was 87.5% in the ICD group and 88.2% in the ICD+SPP group (p=0.65). Compliance with the use of SPP was 100%. In the ICD+SPP group significant reduction of body weight was achieved (117.5±30.1 kg initially, vs 114.9±28.8 kg at EOT; p=0.007), whereas in the ICD group it was not statistically significant (106.7±22.1 kg at BL vs 104.0±16.8 kg at EOT, respectively; p=0.07). In contrast to the ICD group, in those who received ICD+SPP significant decrease in cholesterol (5.3±1.3 mmol/L at BL vs 4.6±1.3 mmol/L at EOT; p=0.003), LDL (3.7±1.0 mmol/L vs 3.3±1.0 mmol/L, respectively; p=0.009), alkaline phosphatase (132.6±99.1 vs 112.0±87.0 U/L; p=0.04), GGT (54.5±33.2 vs 37.5±19.7 U/L; p=0.04), insulin resistance index (6.1±3.2 vs 3.2±1.5, respectively; p=0.04) was detected.

Conclusion. Modification of dietary patterns with the use of a specialized food in combination with low-calorie diet allows achieving significant reduction of weight and improve lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, reduce severity of cholestasis in patients with NASH.