Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

ABSTRACT
Materials and Methods
연구 대상
인체적용시험 식품 섭취
    측정항목 및 방법
    통계분석
Results and Discussion
    인구통계학적 특성
    안전성 평가 변수
    유효성 평가 변수
Acknowledgement
국문요약
Conflict of interests
ORCID
References

• 김정희((주)네추럴웨이 R&D센터, 한양대학교 생활과학대학 식품영양학과) | Junghee Kim (R&D Center, Naturalway Co. Ltd., Pocheon, Gyeonggi, Korea, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University)
• 김은진((주)네추럴웨이 R&D센터) | Eun Jin Kim (R&D Center, Naturalway Co. Ltd., Pocheon, Gyeonggi, Korea)
• 강다혜((주)네추럴웨이 R&D센터) | Dahye Kang (R&D Center, Naturalway Co. Ltd., Pocheon, Gyeonggi, Korea)
• 김형빈((주)네추럴웨이 R&D센터) | Hyung-Bin Kim (R&D Center, Naturalway Co. Ltd., Pocheon, Gyeonggi, Korea)
• 장재영(순천향대학교 서울병원 소화기내과) | Jae Young Jang (Department of Internal Medicine, Institute for Digestive Research, Digestive Disease Center, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea)
• 엄애선(한양대학교 생활과학대학 식품영양학과) | Ae-Son Om (Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea) Corresponding Author
• 김종욱((주)네추럴웨이 R&D센터) | Jongwook Kim (R&D Center, Naturalway Co. Ltd., Pocheon, Gyeonggi, Korea) Corresponding Author