Gender-specific effect of dietary fatty acids on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic hepatic disease worldwide. Dietary fatty acids are tightly associated with the development of NAFLD while in-depth large-scale clinical researches are few. Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted based on the data from the 2017–2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Weighted multivariable logistic regression, smooth curve fitting and forest plot were used to describe the relationships between dietary fatty acids, related ratios and NAFLD. Subgroup analysis focused on the influence of gender, weight and age on the forementioned relationships. Results A total of 2470 adult participants were included in this study. Logistic regression analysis showed that dietary fatty acids were positively associated with NAFLD (odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) > 1 and P < 0.05) except for polyunsaturated fatty acid. Subgroup analysis stratified by age stage and weight grade revealed that forementioned association was significant only in the age group of 37–55 and obese individuals. Ratios of unsaturated-to-saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated-to-monounsaturated fatty acids showed protective effects on the onset and steatosis severity of NAFLD only in males based on stratified logistic regression analysis (all the OR [95% CI] < 1 and P < 0.05) and smooth curve fittings. Conclusions The findings suggest that adjustment of dietary fatty acids can be used as a preventive strategy for NAFLD. Increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the diet, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, is promising to prevent NAFLD in middle-aged obese men.