The Effects of Flaxseed Supplement on Biochemical Factors and Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The Effects of Flaxseed Supplement on Lipid Profile, Liver Enzymes, Inflammatory Factors and Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

To study the effects of Flaxseed supplement on lipid profile, liver enzymes, inflammatory factors and hepatic fibrosis in patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), 50 patients who referred to Gastrointestinal (GI) clinic with steatosis grade 2 and 3 will be randomly allocated to receive placebos or 30 grams Flaxseed powder for 12 weeks; both groups will be advised to adherence the investigators' diet and exercise program too. At the first and the end of the intervention, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, some inflammatory markers, and liver fibrosis will be assessed and compared between groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of 18 to 70 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25-40
• Serum alaninaminotransferase more than 1.5 fold of upper limit of normal range
• Sonographic findings compatible with hepatic steatosis (degree 2 or more)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes
• Taking any kind of antibiotics two weeks before recruitment
• History of alcohol consumption
• pregnancy or lactation
• Professional athletes
• Other liver disease (viral/etc)
• Use of drugs such as calcium channel blockers, high dose synthetic estrogens, methotrexate , amiodarone, steroids, chloroquine, immunosuppressive drugs, lipid-lowering agents, metformin and vitamin E
• A history of Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, Pulmonary disease, Renal disease & Celiac disease; Cirrhosis
• History of Upper GI surgery / Prior surgical procedures such as jejunoileal or jejunocolic bypass, gastroplasty
• Following program to lose weight in recent 3 mo
• A history of hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome