| Oxidative stress plays a fundamental role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of a calorie-restricted
(CR) diet on oxidative/anti-oxidative status in patients with NAFLD and the potential mediating role
of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) in this regard. This randomized, controlled clinical trial was
carried out on sixty patients with NAFLD aged 20 to 60 years with body mass index (BMI) ranging
from 25 to 35 kg/m2. Participants were randomly assigned to either the CR diet group (received a
prescribed low-calorie diet for twelve weeks, n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). Fasting blood
samples, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, and physical activity data were collected for
all participants at baseline and at the end of the trial. Significant reductions in weight, BMI, waist
circumference, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
were observed in the CR diet group compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). Liver steatosis grade,
serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and FGF-21, as well as
erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities did not
show significant changes in the CR group when compared to the controls at the end of the study
(p > 0.05). CR diet with moderate weight loss has some favorable effects on NAFLD but was not able
to modify oxidative/anti-oxidative status in these patients. Future studies are warranted to target the
effects of long-term interventions with a greater weight loss in this patient population. |