بررسی اثرات فلاونوئید کوئرستین بر بیماری کبد چرب غیر الکلی

Background: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increased globally. Prevalence of NAFLD in general population estimated as 10-24%. Insulin resistance and fat accumulation in liver cells playing an important role in this disease. Recently usage of antioxidants in prevention and treatment of disease is considered. Quercetin is an antioxidant in flavonoids group.  In the present study we aim to determine the effects of quercetin on NAFLD. Materials and Methods: After searching relevant keywords such as NAFLD, antioxidant, quercetin, insulin resistance, liver activity, lipid and inflammation, 20 fulltext papers and 12 abstracts that which were in accordance with the aim of this study were evaluated. Results: Quercetin in addition to its inherent antioxidant activity can reduce inflammation; improve serum lipids; decrease lipid accumulation in the liver; improve insulin resistance by increasing hexokinase activity, glycogen content of muscle and liver, phosphorylation and activation of insulin receptors; and promote liver activity by reducing serum liver transaminase enzymes and inhibiting the production of liver fibrotic factors. Conclusion: In animal and cell-culture studies, the application of quercetin was shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, insulin resistance reduction and antifibrotic effects. All these factors clearly show that quercetin can be counted as one of the important dietary factors having a role in the prevention and also treatment of NAFLD.