Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hesperidin on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characteristics. In this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 50 NAFLD patients were supplemented with either 1-g hesperidin capsule or identical placebo capsule for 12 weeks. During the intervention, both groups were advised to follow healthy lifestyle habits including dietary and physical activity recommendations. At the end of the study, hesperidin supplementation, compared with placebo, was associated with a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase (p = .005), gamma-glutamyltransferase (p = .004), total cholesterol (p = .016), triglyceride (p = .049), hepatic steatosis (p = .041), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = .029), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). In conclusion, our results indicate that hesperidin supplementation accompanied with lifestyle modification is superior to lifestyle modification alone in management of NAFLD at least partially through inhibiting NF-kappa B activation and improving lipid profile. Further studies with higher dose of hesperidin are required to find the optimal dose.