Sesame Oil Improves Biomarkers of Glycemic Control in Women With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial Publisher



M Atefi MASOUMEH ; H Vahedi HAMID ; M Darand MINA ; Mh Entezari Mohammad HASSAN
Source: BMC Nutrition Published:2025

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether sesame oil (SO) consumption could improve biomarkers of glycemic control, inflammation, and oxidative stress in women with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 60 women with MASLD (aged 20–50 years, body mass index (BMI) 25–40 kg/m²) assigned to either SO or sunflower oil (SFO) group (n = 30 each), who consumed 30 g/day for 12 weeks alongside a 500 kcal/day calorie-restricted diet. Serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FSI), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at the pre- and post-intervention phases. Results: Compared with the control, SO supplementation led to significant improvements in FBG (mean difference: -18.2 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval (CI): -25.0 to -11.4; Cohen’s d = 0.84), FSI (-3.2 µIU/mL; 95% CI: -4.5 to -1.9; d = 0.76), HOMA-IR (-1.4; 95% CI: -2.0 to -0.8; d = 0.81), HOMA-β (+ 15.6; 95% CI: +7.4 to + 23.8; d = 0.67), and QUICKI (+ 0.07; 95% CI: +0.03 to + 0.11; d = 0.72) (p < 0.05 for all). The reductions in hs-CRP (-0.05 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.15 to + 0.05; d = 0.12) and MDA (-0.6 µmol/L; 95% CI: -1.4 to + 0.2; d = 0.28) were not significant (p > 0.05). Both groups presented significant weight loss, with no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). Conclusions: SO consumption significantly improved glycemic control biomarkers in women with MASLD, suggesting potential metabolic benefits beyond weight loss. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (code: IR.MUI.RESEARCH.REC.1399.548), and it is registered at https://www.irct.ir/trial/52288, IRCT20140208016529N6, Registration Date: 2020-12-12). © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.