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Quercetin administration post‐weaning attenuates high‐fructose, high‐cholesterol diet‐induced hepatic steatosis in growing, female, Sprague Dawley rat pups
Author(s) -
Donaldson Janine,
Ngema Mandisa,
Nkomozepi Pilani,
Erlwanger Kennedy
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.9984
Subject(s) - fenofibrate , medicine , endocrinology , weaning , steatosis , fructose , cholesterol , quercetin , creatinine , aspartate transaminase , triglyceride , alanine transaminase , lipid profile , chemistry , biochemistry , antioxidant , alkaline phosphatase , enzyme
BACKGROUND Fructose and cholesterol‐rich diets have been implicated in the upsurge of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Phytochemicals are being explored as alternatives for the prevention and management of MetS. Thirty‐six 21‐day‐old, female Sprague Dawley rats fed a high‐fructose, high‐cholesterol diet post‐weaning were used to investigate the prophylactic potential of quercetin. Group 1 was given standard rat chow (SRC); Group 2: SRC and quercetin (75 mg kg −1 daily); Group 3: SRC and fenofibrate (100 mg kg −1 daily); Group 4 was given a high cholesterol diet (HCD) (2% added dietary cholesterol in SRC), 20% fructose drinking solution (FS); Group 5 was given HCD, 20% FS and quercetin (75 mg kg −1 daily); Group 6: HCD, 20% FS and fenofibrate (100 mg kg −1 daily). Rats were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks, euthanized, and blood and liver samples were collected. RESULTS The HCD and FS significantly increased ( P < 0.05) absolute and relative liver masses and serum cholesterol. Fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides, alanine transaminase, creatinine, and urea were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) between groups. The HCD and FS significantly increased liver lipid yield compared to the SRC and rats receiving SRC with fenofibrate ( P < 0.05). Quercetin or fenofibrate together with HCD and FS attenuated the diet‐induced increase in liver lipids by approximately 50%, although this was not statistically significant. Liver macro‐ and micro‐steatosis scores were significantly increased ( P < 0.05) in rats receiving HCD and FS. Quercetin or fenofibrate administration together with HCD and FS significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) liver macro‐steatosis scores. CONCLUSION The prophylactic effect of quercetin on fructose and cholesterol diet‐induced liver lipid accumulation may be exploited in the fight against non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry