The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Serum Aminotransferases in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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#humans #non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease #alanine-transaminase #aspartate-aminotransferases #antioxidants

The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Serum Aminotransferases in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vogli et al., 2023 | Nutrients | Meta Analysis

Citation

Vogli Stamatina, Naska Androniki, ... Orfanos Philippos. The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Serum Aminotransferases in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023-Aug-25;15(17). doi:10.3390/nu15173733

Abstract

Νon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of end-stage liver disease in developed countries. Oxidative stress plays a key role during the course of the disease and vitamin E supplementation has shown to be beneficial due to its antioxidative properties. We aim to investigate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum aminotransferase levels in patients with NAFLD. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase) were reviewed for randomized trials that tested vitamin E supplementation versus placebo or no intervention in patients with NAFLD, published until April 2023. A total of 794 patients from 12 randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis. Notwithstanding the studies' heterogeneity and moderate internal validity in certain cases, among studies testing vitamin E supplementation at 400 IU/day and above, the values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were reduced compared with placebo or no intervention [ALT Mean Difference (MD) = -6.99 IU/L, 95% CI (-9.63, -4.35), for studies conducted in Asian countries and MD = -9.57 IU/L, 95% CI (-12.20, -6.95) in non-Asian countries]. Regarding aspartate aminotransferase (AST), patients in the experimental group experienced a reduction in serum levels, though smaller in absolute values [AST MD = -4.65 IU/L, 95% CI (-7.44, -1.86) in studies conducted in Asian populations] and of lower precision in non-Asian studies [MD = -5.60 IU/L, 95% CI (-11.48, 0.28)].

Key Findings

Regarding aspartate aminotransferase (AST), patients in the experimental group experienced a reduction in serum levels, though smaller in absolute values [AST MD = -4.65 IU/L, 95% CI (-7.44, -1.86) in studies conducted in Asian populations] and of lower precision in non-Asian studies [MD = -5.60 IU/L, 95% CI (-11.48, 0.28)].

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population nafld
Sample Size 794
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Antioxidants
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: vitamin-e-liver

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09