Obesity, liver steatosis, and omega-3 fatty acids

Obesity is associated with nutritional oxidative stress in the liver, in which free-radical production coupled to higher fatty acid (FA) oxidation may lead to omega-3 (pi-3) FA depletion and insulin resistance (IR). Under these conditions, hepatic steatosis may be triggered when lipogenesis is favoured over FA oxidation, as determined by either (i) higher peripheral mobilization of FA to the liver due to IR, (ii) up-regulation of lipogenic gene expression and down-regulation of that of lipid catabolism due to pi-3 FA depletion, or both. Taken together, the discussed data point to a potential role for antioxidant and pi-3 FA supplementation as a therapeutic approach for liver steatosis and other obesity-related abnormalities.