RESUMO
A "2-hit" model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been proposed in which steatosis constitutes the "first hit" and sensitizes the liver to potential "second hits" resulting in NASH. Oxidative stress is considered a candidate for the second hit. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, has been suggested as a dietary therapy for NASH. We examined the effects of NAC in a rat total enteral nutrition (TEN) model where NASH develops as the result of overfeeding dietary polyunsaturated fat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats consumed pelleted AIN-93G diets ad libitum or were overfed a 9200 kJ.kg(-0.75).d(-1) liquid diet containing 70% corn oil with or without 2 g.kg(-1).d(-1) NAC i.g. for 65 d. Hepatic steatosis was not influenced by dietary supplementation with NAC; however, the liver pathology score was lower (P = 0.05) and NAC provided partial protection against alanine aminotransferase release (P = 0.05). NAC attenuated increased hepatic oxidative stress (TBARS; P = 0.05) and prevented increases in cytochrome P450 2E1 apoprotein and mRNA and in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) mRNA. Titers of auto-antibodies against proteins adducted to lipid peroxidation products were lower in serum of the NAC group than in the 70% corn oil group (P = 0.05). NAC also decreased Picosirius red staining of collagen, a marker of fibrosis. However, markers of hepatic stellate cell activation were unaffected. Using NAC in a TEN model of NASH, we have demonstrated that NAC prevents many aspects of NASH progression by decreasing development of oxidative stress and subsequent increases in TNFalpha but does not block development of steatosis.
Assuntos
Acetilcisteína/farmacologia , Fígado Gorduroso/patologia , Fígado Gorduroso/prevenção & controle , Fígado/patologia , Animais , Autoanticorpos/sangue , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ingestão de Energia , Fígado Gorduroso/imunologia , Fígado Gorduroso/fisiopatologia , Glutationa/metabolismo , Inflamação , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/metabolismo , Testes de Função Hepática , Masculino , Estresse Oxidativo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Triglicerídeos/sangueRESUMO
We have used total enteral nutrition (TEN) to moderately overfeed rats high-polyunsaturated fat diets to develop a model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed by TEN a 187 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1) diet containing 5% (total calories) corn oil or a 220 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1) diet in which corn oil constituted 5, 10, 25, 35, 40, or 70% of total calories for 21 or 65 days. Rats fed the 5% corn oil, 220 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1)diet had greater body weight gain (P < or = 0.05), fat mass (P < or = 0.05), and serum leptin and glucose levels (P < or = 0.05), but no liver pathology. A dose-dependent increase in hepatic triglyceride deposition occurred with increase in percent corn oil in the 220 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1) groups (P < or = 0.05). Steatosis, macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, and focal necrosis were present in the 70% corn oil group, accompanied by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (P < or = 0.05). An increase in oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) and TNF-alpha expression (P < or = 0.05) was observed in the 70% corn oil group, as well as an increase in hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP4A1 expression (P < or = 0.05). Significant positive correlations were observed between the level of dietary corn oil and the degree of pathology, ALTs, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Liver pathology was progressive with increased necrosis, accompanied by fibrosis, observed after 65 days of TEN. Increased expression of CD36 and l-fabp mRNA suggested development of steatosis was associated with increased fatty acid transport. These data suggest that intragastric infusion of a high-polyunsaturated fat diet at a caloric level of 17% excess total calories results in pathology similar to clinical NASH.