Open AccessCurcumin supplementation mitigates NASH development and progression in female Wistar rats
Author(s) -
Cunningham Rory P.,
Moore Mary P.,
Moore Angelique N.,
Healy James C.,
Roberts Michael D.,
Rector R. Scott,
Martin Jeffrey S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
physiological reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2051-817X
DOI - 10.14814/phy2.13789
Subject(s) - columbia university , library science , gerontology , medicine , kinesiology , management , medical education , sociology , media studies , computer science , economics
Curcumin, a naturally occurring plant polyphenolic compound, may have beneficial effects in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH ) development. We examined whether curcumin supplementation could be used in both prevention and treatment of NASH with fibrosis. Female Wistar rats were provided ad libitum access to a “western diet” ( WD ) high in fat (43% kcal), sucrose (29% kcal), and cholesterol (2% w/v), as well as 15% fructose drinking water. Intraperitoneal CC 1 4 injections (0.5 mL /kg) were also administered at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6 to accelerate development of a NASH with fibrosis phenotype. Rats were randomized to four groups ( n = 9–12/group) and fed ad libitum: (1) WD for 8‐weeks (8 WD ), (2) WD enriched with curcumin for 8‐weeks (8 WD +C; 0.2% curcumin, BCM ‐95, DolCas Biotech) to assess prevention, (3) WD for 12‐weeks (12 WD ), (4) WD for 8‐weeks followed by 4‐weeks WD +C (12 WD +C) to assess treatment. Curcumin prevention (8 WD vs. 8 WD +C) attenuated ( P < 0.05) histological liver inflammation, molecular markers of fibrosis (Col1a1 mRNA ) and a serum marker of liver injury ( AST ). Curcumin treatment (12 WD vs. 12 WD +C) reduced ( P < 0.05) hepatocellular inflammation, steatosis, NAFLD Activity Scores, and serum markers of liver injury ( AST , ALP ). Moreover, curcumin treatment also increased hepatic pACC / ACC , ApoB100, and SOD 1 protein, and decreased hepatic FGF ‐21 levels; whereas, curcumin prevention increased hepatic glutathione levels. Both curcumin prevention and treatment reduced molecular markers of hepatic fibrosis (Col1a1 mRNA ) and inflammation ( TNF ‐ α , SPP 1 mRNA ). Curcumin supplementation beneficially altered the NASH phenotype in female Wistar rats, particularly the reversal of hepatocellular inflammation.