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Tocotrienol-rich vitamin E supplements (50 mg/day) are a safe, effective, and well-tolerated option for children diagnosed with obesity and NAFLD, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Evidence of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of tocotrienol-rich fraction vitamin E (TRF) for treating children (aged 10 to 18) with obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was published in “BMC Pediatrics”. Childhood obesity often leads to NAFLD, and currently, no approved medications exist for tackling NAFLD in children. Hence, this single-blind, randomized clinical trial investigated if TRF could be a game-changer. The study involved 29 children who took a daily dose of 50 mg TRF for about 6 months. These participants had fatty liver disease confirmed by ultrasound and elevated alanine transaminase levels.
Researchers monitored various health markers, including liver function, DNA damage, and inflammatory cytokines. Apolipoprotein-A1 (APO-A1) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels dropped substantially in the TRF group. Significant reductions were observed in DNA damage parameters for those taking TRF. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α ) also decreased considerably in the TRF group. However, TRF did not markedly improve hepatic steatosis as opposed to the placebo group (Table 1).
To sum up, 50 mg/day TRF were safe and well-tolerated in pediatrics affected with obesity and NAFLD. Over 6 months, improvements in APO-A1, AST levels, reduced DNA damage, and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines were witnessed, supporting tocotrienol's potential as an effective adjuvant therapy for pediatric NAFLD. Coupled with lifestyle practices like exercise and calorie restriction, TRF may help prevent NAFLD. Additional investigations are warranted to explore its long-term impact on pediatric patients.
BMC Pediatrics
Assessing the efficacy of tocotrienol-rich fraction vitamin E in obese children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a single-blind, randomized clinical trial
Farah D. R. Al-Baiaty et al.
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