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. 2024 Jul 17;12(10):7273-7286.
doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4348. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Impact of silymarin-supplemented cookies on liver enzyme and inflammatory markers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

Hafiza Madiha Jaffar  1 , Huma Bader Ul Ain  1 , Tabussam Tufail  1   2 , Asif Hanif  3 , Tabarak Malik  4   5
Affiliations

Impact of silymarin-supplemented cookies on liver enzyme and inflammatory markers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

Hafiza Madiha Jaffar et al. Food Sci Nutr. .

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing public health concern characterized by fat accumulation and severe disorders like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which are influenced by obesity, inflammatory processes, and metabolic pathways. This research investigates the potential of silymarin-supplemented cookies in managing NAFLD by evaluating their impact on liver enzyme activity, inflammatory markers, and lipid profiles. A clinical trial in Lahore, Pakistan, involved 64 NAFLD patients. Participants were divided into placebo and three treatment groups, with the latter receiving silymarin-supplemented cookies for 3 months. The study assessed liver enzyme levels and inflammatory markers, at baseline and after the intervention, utilizing statistical analyses to evaluate differences. The lipid profile and renal function test (RFT) were also measured at baseline and after 3 months in each group for safety assessment. After 3 months, the treatment groups indicated more significant decreases in liver enzymes compared to the placebo group (p ≤ .05). Treatment 3 showed significant reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (64.39-49.38 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (61.53-45.38 U/L). Treatment 3 also showed improvements in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and the AST/ALT ratio. Additionally, the treatment group demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammatory markers. Treatment 3 showed a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) (6.32-3.39 mg/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (38.72-23.86 mm/h), indicating that individuals with NAFLD may benefit from the intervention's potential benefits in lowering inflammation. The study revealed that an intervention significantly improved the inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, and lipid profiles of NAFLD participants, suggesting potential benefits for liver health.

Keywords: NAFLD; cookies; inflammatory markers; lipid profiles; liver enzymes; silymarin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flowchart of participant enrollments.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Body mass index (BMI) difference of all group participants between baseline and after 3 months.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Difference of liver enzymes of all group participants between baseline and after 3 months.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Difference of inflammatory markers of all group participants between baseline and after 3 months.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Renal function tests (RFTs) difference of all group participants between baseline and after 3 months.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Lipid profile difference of all group participants between baseline and after 3 months.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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