(02-12-09) Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases liver fat content in polycystic ovary syndrome:

a randomized controlled trial employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.



Cussons AJ, Watts GF, Mori TA, Stuckey BG.University of Western Australia,
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth 6847, Western Australia. [email protected]

CONTEXT: There is an association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids have favorable effects on cardiovascular risk and could reduce liver fat in NAFLD.
OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on liver fat in PCOS. The secondary aim was to assess their effects on traditional cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a randomized, crossover study at a tertiary cardiovascular research center. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five women with PCOS (mean age, 32.7 yr; mean body mass index, 34.8 kg/m(2)) participated in the study. INTERVENTION: We compared 4g/d of omega-3 fatty acids with placebo over 8 wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was hepatic fat content quantified using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Secondary outcome measures included fasting lipids and blood pressure. RESULTS: Omega-3 fatty acids significantly decreased liver fat content compared with placebo [10.2 (1.1) vs. 8.4 (0.9)%; P = 0.022]. There was also a reduction in triglycerides [1.19 (1.03-1.47) vs. 1.02 (0.93-1.18) mmol/liter; P = 0.002], systolic blood pressure [124.1 (12.1) vs. 122.3 (14.5) mm Hg; P = 0.018], and diastolic blood pressure [73.2 (8.4) vs. 69.7 (8.3) mm Hg; P = 0.005] with omega-3 fatty acids compared with placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids particularly decreased hepatic fat in women with hepatic steatosis, defined as liver fat percentage greater than 5% [18.2 (11.1) vs. 14.8 (9.3)%; P = 0.03]. CONCLUSIONS: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has a beneficial effect on liver fat content and other cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS, including those with hepatic steatosis. Whether this translates into a reduction in cardiometabolic events warrants further study.


Source: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Oct;94(10):3842-8. Epub 2009 Jul 21.

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