RESUMO
Objective To compare and analyze gene expression patterns in rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly given either general diet (control group) or a high-fat diet (model group) for 4 weeks.The histopathologic changes of the liver were observed and gene expression patterns were analyzed and compared by cDNA mieroarray.Results Hepatocellular steatosis and inflammatory infiltration were observed in model group after high-fat diet for 4 weeks.Fifty-one differential genes were found in model group,20 of which were up-regulated (sterol regulatory element binding factor 1,stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 and Bcl 2 modifying factor)and 31 were down-regulated (peroxisomal enoyl coenzyme A hydratase 1,heat shock 70 protein 1A and ATPase inhibitory factor 1). The up-regulating genes were involved in lipogenesis and cell apoptosis,while down-regulated genes were involved in fatty acid oxidation, protein modification and energy metabolism.Conclusions The differential expression of genes may involve in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.