Expression of NF‐κB, IL‐6, and IL‐10 genes, body composition, and hepatic fibrosis in obese patients with NAFLD—Combined effects of oleoylethanolamide supplementation and calorie restriction: A triple‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation combined with calorie restriction on inflammation, body composition, and hepatic fibrosis among obese patients with NAFLD. In this 12‐week randomized clinical trial, 76 obese patients newly diagnosed with NAFLD were randomly allocated into either OEA or placebo group. The weight‐loss diet was also designed for both groups. Pre‐ and postintervention messenger RNA expression levels of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐10, body composition, and NAFLD fibrosis score were assessed. At the end of the study, the OEA group showed lower NF‐κB and IL‐6 expression levels compared to the placebo ( p < .01). However, IL‐10 expression level was approximately twofold higher in the OEA group compared to the placebo group ( p = .008). A significant reduction was observed in the fat mass of the OEA group compared to the placebo ( p = .044) postintervention. In addition, OEA supplementation led to a significant increase in fat‐free mass in the OEA group compared to the placebo ( p = .032). A remarkable increase was observed in resting metabolic rate (RMR) in the OEA group ( p = .009); however, it was not found in the placebo group. There were no significant between‐group differences in RMR postintervention. In addition, no significant within‐and between‐group differences were observed in the NAFLD fibrosis score at the end of the trial. Treatment with OEA along with weight‐loss intervention could significantly improve inflammation and body composition in patients with NAFLD.