Resveratrol improves insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major health problem worldwide. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol found in edible plants that has a variety of biochemical and physiological effects. Aims: To evaluate the effect of resveratrol on insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial: 60 subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were given 2 placebo capsules (placebo group) or 2 150 mg resveratrol capsules (resveratrol group) twice daily for three months. Liver ultrasound imaging, anthropometric profile, serum liver enzymes, insulin, glucose, C-peptide, lipid profile, and inflammation-related cytokines were compared pre and post-treatment. Results: Compared with the placebo group, resveratrol significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase, glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [-6.00 (-9.00, -3.00) IU/L, -0.64 +/- 0.31 mmol/L, and -0.41 +/- 0.35 mmol/L, respectively, P <= 0.001] alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol [7.00 (-11.0, -2.50) IU/L and -0.67 +/- 0.50 mmol/L, respectively, P=0.002], and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (-0.60 +/- 1.15, P=0.016). In the resveratrol group significant reductions of the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, cytokeratin 18 fragment, and fibroblast growth factor 21 [0.53 +/- 1.30 pg/mL, 26.9 (70.3, 5.12) IU/L and 23.3 (43.0, 0.31) pg/mL, respectively, P < 0.05] and elevation of adiponectin level [1.22 (-0.37, 1.60) ng/mL, P=0.025] were observed. Conclusion: Resveratrol supplementation may benefit patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (C) 2014 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.