Efficacy of adjuvant phosphatidylcholine in the management of egyptian patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Background and Aim: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disorder with increased liver related and non-related complications and mortality as a result of increasing obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The current study aims to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant phosphatidylcholine in treating patients with NAFLD. Methods: This interventional randomized controlled study recruited 100 patients with NAFLD and MetS randomized into: a control group (n=50) that received standard care of life style modifications and an intervention group (n=50) that received phosphatidylcholine (2100 gm/day) plus standard care. Both groups received health education through clinical pharmacist for achieving sustainable weight loss for 6 months. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, liver function, lipid profile, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score, NAFLD-fibrosis score, steatosis score and liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Results: Intervention group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher number with normalized; alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein at midpoint and endpoint, aspartate amiontransferase at midpoint and high density lipoproteins and malondaldehyde at endpoint. Intervention group showed a significantly higher participants’ number who shifted to more favorable category of NAFLD-fibrosis score (p=0.02), radiological fibrosis stage (p=0.015) at endpoint, radiological steatosis grades and HOMA-IR score at midpoint and endpoint (p<0.05). Additionally, significant number of participants in intervention group (34%) lost MetS components compared to (10%) in control group at endpoint (p=0.004). Conclusion: Adjuvant phosphatidylcholine has shown laboratory, radiological and clinical benefits in the management of Egyptian patients with NAFLD and ameliorate MetS parameters.