Phytosterols as bioactive food components against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Phytosterols are bioactive food components widely present in cell membranes of plants, especially in nuts and oilseeds. In recent years, many studies have shown that phytosterols possess therapeutic potentials for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This review summarizes the effects of phytosterols from in vitro and in vivo studies to lower the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), and the evidence supporting the potential of phytosterols against NAFLD. The potential mechanisms by which phytosterols improve NAFLD may include (i) competition with cholesterol; (ii) regulation of key factors involved in cholesterol and TG metabolism; and (iii) inhibition of liver inflammation and (iv) regulation of liver fatty acid composition. In summary, phytosterols are potential natural ingredients with good safety profile against NAFLD, which deserve more future studies.

Keywords:

• Phytosterols
• nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• cholesterol
• triglycerides

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Talent Program of Zibo and University-City Integration Project of ZhangDian District.