Camu-camu decreases hepatic steatosis and liver injury markers in overweight, hypertriglyceridemic individuals: A randomized crossover trial
Anne-Laure Agrinier, Arianne Morissette, Laurence Daoust, Théo Gignac, Julie Marois, Thibault Varin, Geneviève Pilon, Éric Larose, Claudia Gagnon, Yves Desjardins, Fernando F. Anhê, Anne‐Marie Carreau, Marie‐Claude Vohl, André Marette
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently referred to as “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease” (MASLD), affects 25% of the adult population with no effective drug treatments available. Previous animal studies reported that a polyphenol-rich extract from the Amazonian berry camu-camu (CC) prevented hepatic steatosis in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. This study aims to determine the impact of CC on hepatic steatosis (primary outcome) and evaluate changes in metabolic and gut microbiota profiles (exploratory outcomes). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial is conducted on 30 adults with overweight and hypertriglyceridemia, who consume 1.5 g of CC capsules or placebo daily for 12 weeks. CC treatment decreases liver fat by 7.43%, while it increases by 8.42% during the placebo intervention, showing a significant difference of 15.85%. CC decreases plasma aspartate and alanine aminotransferases levels and promotes changes in gut microbiota composition. These findings support that polyphenol-rich prebiotic may reduce liver fat in adults with overweight, reducing the risk of developing NAFLD. • Camu-camu reduces hepatic steatosis in adults with overweight and hypertriglyceridemia • Camu-camu supplementation decreases plasma AST and ALT levels • Camu-camu supplementation alters gut microbiota composition Agrinier et al. demonstrate that camu-camu (CC) supplementation reduces liver fat and improves liver injury markers in individuals with overweight and hypertriglyceridemia. CC also alters gut microbiota composition, supporting its potential as a polyphenol-rich prebiotic supplement for reducing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk.