Abstract

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have disturbed glycemic control and elevated inflammatory markers. Omega-3 is known to ameliorate this disordered condition. We aimed to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory markers and insulin resistance indices in T2DM and NAFLD patients. Methods: In a randomized-double blind clinical trial adult, patients with T2DM and NAFLD concurrently were randomly allocated to omega-3 (OG) and placebo group (PG). OG used 2 g-per-day omega-3 for 12 weeks. Anthropometrics, dietary intake, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin, CRP, IL-6 and α-TNF were assessed before and after the study. Results: Forty four participants (aged 49.14 ± 6.48 and 47.41 ± 9.15 for OG (n = 22) and PG (n = 22) group, respectively) finished the study. At the baseline, dietary intake and blood samples analysis did not show any significant differences between groups. Anthropometrics parameters were not statistically different. The results showed β cells function significantly increased in OG, but had no effect on other glycemic and insulin resistance parameters (FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, serum insulin, insulin sensitivity). Also, omega-3 supplementation significantly increased the level of IL-6, but was not affected by other inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that consuming daily 2 g of omega-3 for 3 months in T2DM patients with NAFLD significantly increased β cells function and IL-6, but had no effect on other glycemic and insulin resistance and other inflammatory markers. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd