Prevalence of fatty liver disease among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and its relation to insulin resistance

A substantial proportion of the mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] is related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] and its complications. Insulin resistance is a major etiologic factor for the development of fatty liver. We aimed to study the prevalence of NAFLD among T2DM patients and its relation to insulin resistance. Patients with T2DM that were referred to a tertiary referral center in Tehran from February 2003 to August 2005 were evaluated. Patients with characteristic findings on ultrasonography were considered as having fatty Livers. The Homeostasis Model Assistant - Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR] and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index [QUICKI] were calculated as measures of insulin resistance. Of the 172 patients included in the study, 96 [55.8%] had evidence of fatty livers, 6 of which [3.5% of total] presented with elevated liver enzymes. BMI and triglyceride levels in the fatty liver group were significantly higher than patients with normal livers [p=0.002 and 0.036, respectively]. The HOMA-IR and QUICKI indexes were not significantly different between the two groups. Fatty liver is a common finding among T2DM patients. The degree of insulin resistance does not appear to be predictive of fatty liver among this population

Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on serum lipids, apolipoproteins and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetes patients

In order to test whether hyperlipidaemia and glycaemic control can be improved among diabetes patients by dietary supplementation with purified omega-3 fatty acids, we carried out a doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial on 50 type 2 diabetes patients randomized to 2 g/day purified omega-3 fatty acids or placebo for 10 weeks. Fasting triglycerides decreased significantly with supplementation relative to placebo [P = 0.01]. There was a significant decrease in ApoB-100 and malondialdehyde compared to baseline values and compared to the control group. Omega-3 fatty acids had no significant effect on serum lipid levels, ApoA-I, glucose, insulin and HbA1[c]