Role of docosahexaenoic acid treatment in improving liver histology in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most important causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality in children. Recently, we have reported the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the major dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, in children with NAFLD. DHA exerts a potent anti-inflammatory activity through the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)120. Our aim was to investigate in pediatric NAFLD the mechanisms underlying the effects of DHA administration on histo-pathological aspects, GPR120 expression, hepatic progenitor cell activation and macrophage pool.

Patients and methods

20 children with untreated NAFLD were included. Children were treated with DHA for 18 months. Liver biopsies before and after the treatment were analyzed. Hepat

SUBMITTER: Nobili V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3913708 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature