Green tea as a safe alternative approach for nonalcoholic fatty liver treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Phytother Res. 2018 Oct;32(10):1876-1884. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6130. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of green tea supplementation on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched up to October 30, 2017, to identify eligible trials based on the inclusion criteria. The effect size was presented as mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The meta-analysis of data from four studies indicated significant effects of green tea supplementation in altering alanine aminotransferases (-12.81 U/L; 95% CI: -18.17 to -7.45) and aspartate aminotransferases (-10.91 U/L; 95% CI: -19.66 to -2.17) blood concentrations. Likewise, a favorable effect of green tea administration was observed on body mass index (-2.08 kg/cm2 ; 95% CI: -2.81 to -1.36), triacylglycerol (-31.87 mg/dl; 95% CI: -40.62 to -23.12), total cholesterol (-27.57 mg/dl; 95% CI: -36.17 to -18.98), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-14.15 mg/dl; 95% CI: -23.69 to -4.60), whereas no significant effect was detected on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (7.41 mg/dl; 95% CI: -1.49 to 16.30) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-4.06; 95% CI: -10.22 to 2.09). This systematic review and meta-analysis of available trials suggests that there are potential benefits of green tea supplementation on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Keywords: Camellia sinensis; green tea; meta-analysis; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; systematic review.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / drug therapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Tea*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea
  • Triglycerides
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase