The Effect of Curcumin on Experimental Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rat Models: A Biochemical Study  

¹ Department of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.

² Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.

³ Department Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University,  Egypt.

^*Corresponding Author

Magda Abdel-Ghany Megahed

Department of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University

Egypt

Email: magda.megahad@alexu.edu.eg

Tel.: +20 3 4282331/73

Fax: +20 3 4283719

Abstract

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is considered the commonest form of liver disorders around the globe. Curcumin is known to have protective anti-oxidative characteristics. Objective: The present work aims to investigate the effect of curcumin on NAFLD. Materials and Methods: 60 Wistar male rats divided into four groups: Group I: Control group received rat chew diet for 12 weeks. Group II: Fatty liver group, animals received high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Group III: Fatty liver group injected intraperitoneally [IP] with 1 ml/kg body weight dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] every other day for 8 weeks. Group IV: Fatty liver group injected with 50 mg/kg body weight, curcumin dissolved in DMSO, IP every other day for 8 weeks Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Blood was collected for separation of sera and liver tissues to prepare liver homogenates. Results: Fasting blood sugar, insulin,and homeostatic model for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] were significantly higher in rats of NAFL group than control group ( p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively) while insulin and HOMA-IR were lower in curcumin treated group (group IV) when compared to DMSO group (group III)  (p<0.05, p<0.001respectively). Cholesterol concentrations in liver homogenate were siginificantly decreased in curcumin group when compared to DMSO and NAFL group (p<0.05).Serum TG of NAFL group was significantly higher than DMSO and curcumin groups ( p<0.05).Triglycerides in liver homogenate of curcumin group was lower than that of NAFL and DMSO groups (p<0.001,p<0.05 respectively). Serum LDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in NAFL group when compared to control one (p<0.05) but decreased in curcumin group when compared to NAFLand DMSO groups (p<0.001). Serum VLDL in NAFL group was significantly higher than that of DMSO and curcumin groups(p<0.05). MDA concentration was higher in NAFL group compared to control group (p<0.001) and was significantly decreased in curcumin group compared to DMSO and NAFL groups (p<0.001). Total glutathione levels in liver homogenate was significantly decreased in NAFL group compared to control group and increased in curcumin group compared to NAFL and DMSO  groups (p<0.001). Triglycerides in liver homogenate had a positive correlation with HOMA-IR (r=0.724, p<0.05) and malondialdhyde [MDA] in curcumin group (r=0.807, p<0.001)  There was a positive correlation between  insulin level and serum VLDL (r=0.547, p<0.05) in curcumin group. Conclusions: Enhanced oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant status of the plasma and liver are greatly involved in the induction and progression of NAFL. Curcumin has antioxidant defense mechanism, improves serum lipid profile, decreases steatosis in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver, Curcumin, insulin resistance , liver cholesterol,  liver triglycerides, malondialdhyde, liver glutathione, Oxidative stress

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