Effects of Unbalanced Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake on Obesity-related Metabolic and Hepatic Dysfunctions

In obesity, BARD (BMI, AST/ALT Ratio, presence of Diabetes) score, positive for values ≥2, is a non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis. Unbalanced dietary habits are related to metabolic and liver dysfunctions. The aims were to investigate in Italian obese patients the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) and positive BARD; the evaluation of excessive, or deficient, nutrient intakes and their relationship with IR and/or liver fibrosis. From the 220 records, 198 obese patients were included. Anthropometric measurements, HOMA-IR, BARD score and the nutrient intakes, as variances over or below the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) by the dietary assessment, were calculated as 50th (25th, 75th) percentile. HOMA-IR was in 68% averaging 3.53 (2.26, 5.66), and positive BARD in 42%. Excessive ω-6 fatty acid intake was associated with high and significant risk (OR 5.01) of IR, as well as of liver fibrosis (OR 5.67). Excessive ω-6 fatty acid intake enhances ω-6-derived eicosanoids, inducing liver inflammation and fibrosis