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Modulation of cholesterol‐induced hepatic steatosis by macronutrient manipulation in guinea pigs
Author(s) -
Ogburn Ryan C,
Aguilar David,
Volek Jeff S,
Fernandez Maria Luz
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.254.1
Subject(s) - steatosis , medicine , fatty liver , endocrinology , cholesterol , guinea pig , liver function , chemistry , biology , disease
We sought to examine the impact of high cholesterol (HChol) on the development of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in male guinea pigs and evaluated whether a low‐carbohydrate diet (LCD) could effectively improve hepatic morphology and liver function following a HChol diet. Forty guinea pigs were randomly assigned to consume a HChol (0.25%) (n = 30) or a low‐cholesterol (LChol) diet (0.04%) (n = 10). After 6 wk 20 animals were sacrificed (10 LChol and 10 HChol) and plasma and livers were collected for analysis. Plasma total cholesterol (TC) (290.2 ± 62.27 vs 49.5 ± 11.81 mg/dL), LDL, and HDL were higher in the HChol group (P<0.01). Liver enzymes ALT and AST were also higher in the HChol group and the liver to body weight ratio was higher in the HChol group (P<0.01). Histologically, HChol livers displayed extensive hepatic steatosis while this was not observed in LChol livers. The remainder of the animals were randomly assigned (n=10/group) either to a LCD or high‐carbohydrate (HCD) diet. After 6 wk, no differences in plasma TC or LDL were observed, however AST was higher in guinea pigs fed the HCD and was significantly correlated with plasma TC (r = 0.884, P< 0.05). Additionally, the ratio of liver weight to body weight was positively correlated with plasma ALT only in the HCD group. These results indicate that HChol successfully induces hepatic steatosis and LCD fed guinea pigs appear to have improved liver function relative to HCD.