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Usefulness of Beta-Cryptoxanthin for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases

Matsuura B, Miyake T, Yamamoto S, Furukawa S and Hiasa Y

Usefulness of Beta-Cryptoxanthin for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases

We previously reported that in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients, there was excess intake of carbohydrates and low intake of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids and zinc. We also reported that a two-year modification of these diets was effective for improving anthropometric and biological parameters in NASH patients. There have been a few reports on NASH patients about the effectiveness of antioxidant carotenoids, especially betacryptoxanthin (b-crypt). In this study, we clarified intake and serum levels of b-crypt in NASH patients, and conducted a clinical trial to assess whether b-crypt inhibits the progression of NASH. Intake and serum levels of b-crypt were significantly lower in NASH patients than in nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) patients and healthy controls. We randomly assigned NAFLD patients to receive either a trial beverage containing 3 mg of b-crypt or a placebo beverage for 12 weeks. In both NASH and NAFL patients, serum GGT levels were decreased with b-crypt treatment, as compared with placebo. Serum oxidative LDL and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were decreased and serum superoxide dismutase and IL-10 levels were increased in both NASH and NAFL patients who received b-crypt treatment. We also randomly assigned NAFLD patients to receive either a trial beverage containing 3 mg of b-crypt, 12 mg of Zn and 30 mg of a-tocopherol or a trial beverage containing only 3 mg of b-crypt. Both trial beverages had the same effect. These findings suggest that b-crypt treatment is effective in promoting anti-oxidant and antiinflammation activities in NAFLD patients.