THE CLINICAL EFFECTS OF PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA) SEEDS ON INSULIN RESISTANCE, LIPID PROFILE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background and Aim: Background: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver diseases which is associated with some unfavorable metabolic profiles and oxidative stress parameters. This study was designed to determine the effects of purslane consumption with low calorie diet on insulin resistance, lipid profile and oxidative stress indices in patients with NAFLD.Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 54 individuals with NAFLD. Subjects were randomly assigned to take either 10 gr purslane seed sachet daily before breakfast and dinner with using low caloric diet (n=27) or only low caloric diet (n=27) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the study to measure relevant variables.Results: Intake of purslane with low calorie diet led to a significant decrease in serum concentrations of fasting plasma glucose (-3.52 ± 10.45 compared with 3.03 ± 9.01 mg/dl; P, 0.017). Also, a significant reduction in concentrations of total (4.33 ± 34.04 compared with 23.48 ± 29.47 mg/dl; P = 0.032) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-4.35 ± 22.65 compared with 11.82 ± 16.08mg/dl; P = 0.004) was seen after intervention.Conclusion: In conclusion, purslane consumption with adherence to low-calorie diet compared to control group had beneficial effects on FPG and serum total and LDL cholesterol in patients with NAFLD but did not affect other glycemic, lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters.

Keywords:

purslane , portulaca oleracea , insulin resistance , lipid profile , oxidative stress