Induction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome in rats and the amelioration effects of some promising antioxidants

Abstract EN

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents one of the most common liver diseases.

It is strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance and is thought to be parameters of the metabolic syndrome.

NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis then to cirrhosis and liver failure.

This study aimed to investigate whether L-carnitine or/and Salvia officinalis (Sage) can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver in an animal model and whether this therapeutic approach resulted in amelioration in carbohydrate profile (Glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, hepatic glycogen and glyoxalase I & II activities) and lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, leptin, resistin, adiponectin and hepatic total lipids & cholesterol).

The obtained results revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in carbohydrate profile (glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, hepatic glycogen & glyoxalase system) in NAFLD rats than those in their control ones.

Lipid parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, leptin, resistin and hepatic total lipids & cholesterol) were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in NAFLD rats compared with their corresponding control group.

On the other hand, induction of NAFLD to rats caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in adiponectin level.

When, NAFLD rats group was treated with L-carnitine or/and sage, a considerable amelioration effects in all previous studied parameters were pronounced dependent on certain mechanisms.

These results suggested that mitochondrial membrane stabilization, improved insulin resistance as well as oxidative stress inhibition may be the essential mechanisms for the hepatoprotective effect of L-carnitine or/and Salvia officinalis (Sage) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats.