Grape seed extract and delta tocotrienol alone and in combination ameliorates histopathological features in C57BL/J6 mouse fed high‐fat diet

The condition of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) presents a progressive pathology leading to steatotic fibrosis and potentially hepatic cancer. Polyphenols in grape seed extract (GSE) and fat soluble vitamin E (ä tocotrienol, ä3T) may play a beneficial role in hepatic fibrosis. In this study we examined the effects of dietary GSE and ä3T in C57BL/6J mice fed high‐fat diet (n=8/group) for 20 weeks. Post necropsy general histology and immunohistochemical analyses were performed with alpha‐smooth muscle actin (á‐SMA) as a biomarker in liver fibrosis. Mice in the high fat diet control group (HFD‐C) had increased fat accumulation and NASH‐like histopathological features. Histological data analysis of H&E stained liver sections showed that steatosis and lipid droplets were reduced in HFD+GSE group compared to HFD‐C group. Immunohistochemical staining and analysis of photomicrographs led to observable reduction of á‐SMA in HFD+GSE supplemented group compared to HFD‐C group. Our data shows that dietary GSE and ä‐tocotrienol alone and in combination may ameliorate the NASH‐like histopathological features including fibrosis in C57BL/6J mice. Supported by Research Enhancement Program, TWU