Author/Authors :
Li, Changping Department of Gastroenterology - Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China , Li, Juehong School of Medicine - Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China , Chen, Yun Department of Gastroenterology - Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China , Zhong, Xiaolin Department of Gastroenterology - Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China , Kang, Min Department of Gastroenterology - Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
Abstract :
PURPOSE:
To investigate the effect of curcumin on visfatin and zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) expression levels in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
METHODS:
Fifty-six male rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=16) and model group (n=40) and were fed on a normal diet or a high-fat diet, respectively. Equal volumes of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were intragastrically administered to the control group for 4 weeks. At the end of the 12th week, visfatin and ZAG protein expression levels were examined by immunohistochemistry. Visfatin mRNA levels were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased expression of visfatin in liver tissue (P < 0.01) and significantly decreased expression of ZAG (P < 0.01). These effects were ameliorated by curcumin treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Visfatin and zinc-α2-glycoprotein may be involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Treatment of NAFLD in rats by curcumin may be mediated by the decrease of visfatin and the increase of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Keywords :
Curcumin , Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase , Fatty Liver , Rats
