Sex-specific differences in NAFLD development: effect of a high-sucrose diet on biochemical, histological, and genetic markers in C57bl/6N mice.

ABSTRACT

Sucrose intake is a potential risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Individual characteristics such as sex, play arole in the biological variation of the disease, potentially related to genetic regulation. This research evaluated sex differences in biochemical, histopathological, and gene expression responses associated with NAFLD in C57bl/6N mice on a high sucrose diet. Female and male mice were assigned to control or high sucrose diets (50% sucrose solution) for 20 weeks. After sacrifice, blood and hepatic tissue were collected for analysis. Female mice revealed moderate-to-high NAFLD, whereas male mice showed mild-to-moderate NAFLD. Sex-specific variations were observed in Cd36 gene expression, an upregulation in females compared with the male group, and Adipor1 gene expression showed significant downregulation in the female group in response to high sucrose diet compared with the control group. These findings highlight the importance of considering gender disparities in the treatment and management of NAFLD.