MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

The effect of chitosan supplementation on liver function, hepatic steatosis predictors, and metabolic indicators in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Summary

This study tested whether taking chitosan supplements (a type of dietary fiber) helps people with fatty liver disease. Over 8 weeks, participants taking chitosan along with a calorie-reduced diet lost more weight, reduced their waist size, and showed improvement in liver enzyme levels compared to those taking placebo. However, the supplement did not significantly improve cholesterol, blood sugar, or other metabolic markers at the dose tested.

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic hepatic disease affecting approximately 30% of the global population with increasing complications. Increasing dietary fiber consumption is an approach to NAFLD management, and chitosan as a dietary fiber may play a role in management of this condition.

Objective

To investigate the effect of chitosan supplementation on liver function, hepatic steatosis predictors, and metabolic indices in adults with NAFLD.

Results

After 8 weeks, 66 participants completed the study. Chitosan supplementation significantly reduced weight (P=0.041), waist circumference (P=0.049), AST (P=0.040), ALT (P=0.001), and GGT (P=0.028) compared to placebo. Although reductions in FBS, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, and hepatic steatosis predictors were greater in the chitosan group, these results were not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Eight-week supplementation with 1.5 g/day chitosan along with a low-calorie diet could reduce weight, waist circumference, and liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT), potentially ameliorating NAFLD. Further investigations with higher doses, longer duration, and larger sample sizes are recommended.
  • Published in:Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition,
  • Study Type:Randomized Controlled Trial,
  • Source: PMID: 40025618, DOI: 10.1186/s41043-025-00797-3
Scroll to Top