Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Myo-inositol (MI)—a 6-C sugar alcohol—with insulin-mimetic, anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory properties has exerted favorable effects on insulin resistance-related disorders and metabolic disease, while recent animal studies revealed its positive effects on liver function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MI supplementation on cardiometabolic factors, anthropometric measures, and liver function in obese patients with NAFLD.
This double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was carried out on 48 obese patients with NAFLD who were randomly assigned to either MI (4g/day) or placebo (maltodextrin 4g/day) along with dietary recommendations for 8 weeks. Glycemic indices, lipid profile, liver enzymes anthropometric measures, and blood pressure were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Dietary intakes were assessed using a 3-day 24 h recall and analyzed by Nutritionist IV software. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and beta-cell function (HOMA-B) was also estimated.
Anthropometric measures decreased significantly in both groups, while the reduction in weight (
MI supplementation could significantly improve IR, lipid profile, and liver function in patients with NAFLD. Further clinical trials with larger sample sizes, longer duration, different MI doses, and other inositol derivatives are recommended.