Background and purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common type of liver disease. Using functional food such as microalgae is a new approach for improvement of metabolic disorders and oxidative stress in these patients. This study aimed at assessing the effect of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (C.Vulgaris) supplementation on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in NAFLD patients. Material & Methods: This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 70 patients with NAFLD (whose diseas was confirmed by ultrasonograohy). The subjects were randomly allocated into 2 groups of intervention (n=35) who received 400 mg/day vitamin E plus four 300 mg tablets of C.vulgaris before breakfast and the placebo who were given 400 mg/day vitamin E and four placebo tablets per day for eight weeks. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), Triglyceride (TG(, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were assessed at baseline and end of week eight. Results: In both groups after eight weeks the weight, TC, LDL-c, TG, ALT, ALP, and MDA decreased significantly (P<0.001), but HDL-c increased significantly (P=0.04). AST significantly declined in intervention group (P<0.001). The mean changes in weight, MDA and ALP between the two groups reached statistically significant levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this trial indicate C.vulgaris supplementation could decrease weight, MDA and improve lipid profile as well as liver function in patients with NAFLD.

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Chlorella vulgaris, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation

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