Effect of Argan Oil on Liver in Patients Suffering from Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Hepatic steatosis is widely considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The effect of argan oil consumption on the possible hepatic complications of metabolic syndrome has been evaluated in this study. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with metabolic syndrome were selected among 70 hypertensive patients recruited in the Cardiology Department of University Hospital of Casablanca, Morocco. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group one consumed argan oil (25 mL) every day for 3 weeks and the control group who did not receive the oil. The dietary intake was analyzed before, during and after the interventions. Plasma triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) were determined before and after interventional study. Also, plasma α-2 macroglobulin was measured as a marker of the risk of chronic liver diseases in these patients. Results: An improvement in lipids levels was observed in the group consumed argan oil by a significant decline in triglyceride levels (P<0.001) from 246±112 mg/dL to 126±56 mg/dL and increase in the ApoA1 level from 0.59±0.25 g/L to 0.69±0.28 g/L, but was not significant. After consuming argan oil, ApoB100 decreased from 0.82±0.29 g/L to 0.76±0.26 g/L, but was not significant. The serum concentration of α-2 macroglobulin improved after argan consumption too. Conclusion: Argan oil could prevent the liver complications associated with metabolic syndrome by improving plasma lipids and apolipoproteins and α-2 macroglobulin.