Propolis supplementation in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: effects on glucose homeostasis, lipid profile, liver function, anthropometric indices and meta-inflammation
Mahlagha Nikbaf‐Shandiz, Helda Tutunchi, Manouchehr Khoshbaten, Hamideh Nazari Bonab, Mehrangiz Ebrahimi‐Mameghani
Abstract
= 0.015) in the propolis arm compared to the placebo at the study endpoint. Although there were significant reductions in the serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), as well as liver enzymes and severity of fatty liver, between-group differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for the potential confounding factors. The estimated number needed to treat (NNT) due to 8-week propolis supplementation (510 mg per day) for at least 1-point improvement in NAFLD severity was found to be approximately 3. In conclusion, propolis supplementation along with a calorie-restricted diet for 8 weeks could significantly improve the glucose homeostasis, hepatic fibrosis score and liver function in patients with NAFLD. Further clinical trials are encouraged to study the effects of propolis supplementation in patients with long-term NAFLD.