BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder which may progress from simple steatosis to liver failure. Patients with NAFLD have higher levels of systemic inflammation. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects through various mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol supplementation on serum levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), adiponectin, fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 50 adults with NAFLD aged 20-60 years were allocated into two groups
the intervention and the placebo group received two capsules per day each containing 300 mg resveratrol and placebo, respectively. Fasting blood samples and anthropometric measurements were collected for all patients at baseline and at the end of the trial. Cges in the outcomes were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: After 12 weeks of intervention, resveratrol supplementation did not cause significant changes in serum levels of liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the control group. No significant differences were observed in the serum levels of PAI-1, adiponectin, FGF-21, and hs-CRP between the two groups at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol supplementation for 12 weeks did not show favorable effects on serum levels of liver enzymes, PAI-1, adiponectin, FGF-21, and hs-CRP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201511233664N16) (2016-02-08).