Effects of Quercetin Supplementation on Hematological Parameters in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease which has become a public health concern. Since oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, subsequent hematological disorders are expected. Therefore, antioxidant compounds such as quercetin could ameliorate the related side-effect of oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of quercetin on hematological parameters in NAFLD patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted as a pilot study. In this study 90 patients with NAFLD were supplemented with either a quercetin or a placebo capsule twice daily (500 mg) for 12 weeks. Blood sample was obtained for laboratory parameters at baseline and the end of week 12. End of trial values for red blood cell (RBC; p = 0.002), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.029), and mean platelet volume (p = 0.017), significantly increased and the levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV; p = 0.023), RBC distribution width-coefficient of variation (p = 0.005), platelet distribution width (p = 0.015), and ferritin (p = 0.002) significantly decreased compared to the baseline in group receiving quercetin. Between group analysis revealed that RBC significantly increased (p = 0.025) but, mean corpuscular volume (p = 0.004), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH; p = 0.002), and ferritin (p = 0.013) significantly decreased compared to placebo group. In this work quercetin showed significant effect on RBC, ferritin, MCV, and MCH in intervention group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Center for Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT2016060628299N1