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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2014; 20(23): 7366-7380
Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7366
Effects of resveratrol and other polyphenols in hepatic steatosis
Leixuri Aguirre, Maria Puy Portillo, Elizabeth Hijona, Luis Bujanda
Leixuri Aguirre, Maria Puy Portillo, Nutrition and Obesity Group, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Centro de Investigación Lucio Lascaray, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
Leixuri Aguirre, Maria Puy Portillo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
Elizabeth Hijona, Luis Bujanda, Department of Gastroenterology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia Hospital and Biodonostia Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
Elizabeth Hijona, Luis Bujanda, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Enfermedades Hepáticas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
Author contributions: Hijona E and Bujanda L wrote the paragraphs concerning the introduction and the physiopathology of liver steatosis; Aguirre L and Portillo MP wrote the paragraphs concerning the effects of polypehnols on liver steatosis; and Portillo MP was responsible for the general and final revision of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Maria Puy Portillo, Nutrition and Obesity Group, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Centro de Investigación Lucio Lascaray, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain. mariapuy.portillo@ehu.es
Telephone: +34-9-45013067 Fax: +34-9-45013067
Received: October 24, 2013
Revised: December 4, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Processing time: 239 Days and 21 Hours
Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease covers a wide spectrum of liver pathologies which range from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Polyphenols are members of a very large family of plant-derived compounds that can have beneficial effects on human health, and thus their study has become an increasingly important area of human nutrition research. The aim of the present review is to compile published data concerning the effects of both isolated polyphenols as well as polyphenol extracts, on hepatocyte and liver fat accumulation under different steatosis-inducing conditions. The results reported clearly show that this group of biomolecules is able to reduce fat accumulation, but further studies are needed to establish the optimal dose and treatment period length. With regard to the potential mechanisms of action, there is a good consensus. The anti-lipidogenic effect of polyphenols is mainly due to reduced fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis, increased in fatty acid oxidation, and reduced of oxidative stress and inflammation. As a general conclusion, it can be stated that polyphenols are biomolecules which produce hepatoprotective effects. To date, these beneficial effects have been demonstrated in cultured cells and animal models. Thus, studies performed in humans are needed before these molecules can be considered as truly useful tools in the prevention of liver steatosis.

Keywords: Polyphenols; Resveratrol; Quercetin liver; Steatosis; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Core tip: Recently the beneficial effects of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of liver steatosis have been reported. These biomolecules present hepatoprotective effects because they reduce liver fat accumulation, mainly by reducing lipogenesis and by increasing fatty acid oxidation, and decrease oxidative stress and inflammation, the main factors responsible for liver damage. To date, these beneficial effects have been demonstrated in cultured cells and animal models. Thus, studies performed in humans are needed before these molecules can be considered as truly useful tools in the prevention of liver steatosis.