Margherita Ceparano

Margherita Ceparano


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 November 2022 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Martina ChiurazziMartina Chiurazzi
Martina Chiurazzi
NCNunzia Cacciapuoti
Nunzia Cacciapuoti
MLMariastella Di Lauro
Mariastella Di Lauro
GNGilda Nasti
Gilda Nasti
MCMargherita Ceparano
Margherita Ceparano
MLMARIA SERENA LONARDO
MARIA SERENA LONARDO
Overweight/obesity is often associated with a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study aim was to investigate the effects of a nutraceutical supplementation associated to a Mediterranean-hypocaloric-diet (MHD) on ultrasound-liver-steatosis (ULS) grade improvement in overweight/obese patients with NAFLD. A total of 68 subjects (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) with NAFLD were recruited, randomized into 2 groups and treated for 3 months: the Nutraceutical group was treated with MHD plus nutraceutical supplementation (Vitamin E, L-glutathione, silymarin and hepato-active compounds); the Control-group only with a MHD. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, biochemical parameters and Hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months; patients with HSI >36 underwent a liver ultrasound to determine liver steatosis grade (3 severe, 2 moderate, 1 mild). In all patients, a significant improvement in nutritional and biochemical parameters was observed after treatment. After treatment, the nutraceutical group showed a significant improvement in hepatic steatosis, either according to ULS-grade (11.1% and 5.6% of patients with mild and moderate liver steatosis, respectively, showed a complete NAFLD regression; 33.3% and 22.2% of patients with moderate and severe liver steatosis, respectively showed a regression to mild liver steatosis), or according to HSI (49.3 ± 10.1 vs. 43.3 ± 9.0, p = 0.01), suggesting that a healthy diet is still the best choice, although the use of specific supplements can enhance the efficacy of dietary intervention in overweight/obese patients with NAFLD.