Mixed tocotrienols supplementation support liver health, study shows
Highlights
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (n=87 adults)
- Mixed tocotrienols support liver health
- Effective dosage (200 mg/day, twice daily, for one year) is well tolerated
Summary
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to determine the effect of mixed tocotrienols in normalizing the hepatic echogenic response in patients with hypercholesterolemia and non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD).
For this study, researchers enrolled 87 untreated hypercholesterolemic adults with NAFLD confirmed by ultrasound. The participants were randomly assigned to take a placebo or a tocotrienols supplement daily for one year. The supplement was mixed tocotrienols (200 mg, twice daily). A total of 64 (74%) participants completed the study.
The data were assessed according to intention-to-treat principle as primary outcome. Per-protocol analysis was also carried out as secondary outcome measurement.
The primary study aim (normalization of hepatic echogenic response) was significantly higher for the tocotrienols-treated group compared to the placebo group in the intention-to-treat analysis (P=.039; 95% CI = 0.896-6.488). The secondary study aim (per-protocol assessment) also showed a significant rate of remission (P=.014; 95% CI = 1.117-9.456). Worsening of NAFLD grade was recorded in two patients in the placebo group, but none in the group treated with tocotrienols. No adverse events were reported for both groups.
The researchers note that this is the first clinical trial to show hepatoprotective effects of mixed tocotrienols (200 mg, twice daily) taken for one year in adults with hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.
