Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Elevated liver enzymes are markers of liver steatosis and metabolic syndrome. There is a strong relation between the increase of aminotransferase levels and with cardiovascular complications, independent of all aspects of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of virgin olive oil on ALT and AST and anthropometric parameters in the NAFLD patients with weight loss diet.

Methods: This clinical trial was carried out on 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (mean age of 45.91 ±9.61 years, mean BMI 29.7 ± 0.58 Kg/m2). Subjects were randomly assigned into A group (receiving the equivalent of 20% of total daily energy requirement from olive oil) or B (receiving their normal consumption of oil) for 12 weeks. All the patients received a hypocaloric diet during the study. At the beginning and end of the study, dietary assessment, anthropometric parameters and serum levels of ALT and AST were measured.

Results: At the end of the study a significant decrease in BMI, weight and waist circumstances were observed in both the groups. But there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups. There was a significant difference in ALT and AST in A group as compared to B group.

Conclusions: The consumption of diet enriched with olive oil along with slight weight reduction reinforces desired effects of weight lost in decreasing the hepatic enzymes.