The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Frontiers in Pharmacology
Q1
Nov 2021
Citations:28
Influential Citations:7
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
91
S2 IconPDF Icon

Enhanced Details

Methods
Randomized controlled trials (parallel design; some double‑blind; placebo‑controlled in many arms) conducted in adults with non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); participants from multiple countries, including Iran, Italy, Switzerland, India, and Pakistan; populations included mixed sexes and, in some trials, comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes.
Intervention
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation regimens across randomized trials in NAFLD: regimens include 50,000 IU weekly for 10 weeks; 50,000 IU every 2 weeks for 12 weeks; 2,000 IU daily for 48 weeks; 2,100 IU daily for 18 weeks; 1,000 IU daily for 12 weeks; a single intramuscular injection of 600,000 IU; 50,000 IU weekly with a low‑calorie diet; some regimens combined vitamin D with calcium or calcitriol (0.25 mg) in comparator arms; durations ranged from 4 to 48 weeks; routes were oral for D3 and intramuscular for injections; calcitriol regimens included with/without calcium.
Results
Vitamin D supplementation produced significant improvements in HDL‑C (+1.60 mg/dL; p=0.008) and reductions in body weight (−0.88 kg; p=0.007), BMI (−0.33 kg/m2; p=0.002), waist circumference (−1.04 cm; p=0.02), ALT (−4.03 U/L; p=0.01), fasting blood sugar (−5.02 mg/dL; p=0.01), and HOMA‑IR (−0.79; p=0.004), and increased calcium (+1.97 mg/dL; p=0.01). No significant effects were observed on triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL‑C, AST, ALP, GGT, adiponectin, or body fat. Vitamin D may be a beneficial addition to NAFLD management, with effects influenced by dosage, duration, and setting.
Limitations
High between-study heterogeneity (many outcomes with substantial I2); potential publication bias for HOMA‑IR, HDL‑C, and GGT; several trials with small samples and some risk‑of‑bias concerns; wide variation in dosing, duration, and co‑interventions (calcium, calcitriol, dietary changes).

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D was reported to be associated with non−alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This systematic review and meta−analysis aimed to investigate the effects of the vitamin D supplementation on anthropometric and biochemical indices i...