The Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Level of FGF-21 and Fetuin A

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) accounts as a crucial health concern with a huge burden on health and economic systems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of soy isoflavone intake on hepatic outcomes and the level of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) and fetuin A in patients with NAFLD. Fifty patients with NAFLD were randomized to either receive two tablets of soy isoflavone (100 mg/d) or placebo. Dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters, the serum levels of liver function tests including alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), FGF-21, fetuin A and hepatic histological features by Fibroscan assessed at study initiation and after week 12.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older
• without any history of allergy to soy or excessive consumption of soy products
• without chronic diseases including renal, liver, heart, respiratory, cardiovascular, malignancies, auto immune disorders, cushing's syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, hepatitis, cirrhosis, biliary disorders, diabetes, gastrointestinal tract diseases affecting the gut absorption and psychiatric disorders considering as an obstacle for patients to prepare written informed consent;
• hepatic steatosis grade 2 and higher with fibroscan confirmation (CAP > 260 dB/m);
• without history of excessive alcohol drink (≥10 g/day);
• without history of drug consumption with approved positive effects on NAFLD treatment (i.e. metformin, vitamin E, ursodeoxycholic acid, phenytoin, tamoxifen, lithium, corticosteroids and methotrexate) in last three months;
• without the history of bariatric surgery or following weight loss diets within 6 months;
• without history of smoking;
• not being a pregnant or lactating woman

Exclusion criteria

• consuming less than 90% of intended supplements.
• unwillingness for study collaboration