Effects of rosiglitazone and vitamin C on non–alcoholic steatohepatisis in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the treatment effects of solo rosiglitazone and combining Vitamin C on non–alcoholic steatohepatisis in high–diet rats, and explore the possible mechanisms involved. Methods Normal male SD rats were randomly devided into 5 groups, normal control group(n=6), model group(n=6), rosiglitazone group (n=8), vitamin C group (n=8), and rosiglitazone combining vitamin C group (n=8). All rats were feded with high–fat diet. And all treatment groups were given rosiglitazone, vitamin C, rosiglitazone and vitamin C respectively at week 16. Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF–α) in serum were measured at week 24. Then all rats were sacrificed. Liver wet weight and viscera fat quality were measured. And observe the liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis by HE stain and Masson stain. Results Compared with model group, TG in treatment groups were decreased significantly(TG in rosiglitazone group, vitamin C group and rosiglitazone combining vitamin C group were (0.49±0.27, 0.62±0.15, 0.45±0.23) mmol/L, TG in model group was (1.36±0.57)mmol/L, all P<0.01). The scores of liver inflammation in treatment groups were decreased significantly (the scores of liver inflammation in rosiglitazone group, vitamin C group and rosiglitazone combining vitamin C group were 3.00±0.60, 5.13±1.64, 3.00±1.23, model group's was 12.75±3.59, all P<0.01). And the scores of liver fibrosis in treatment groups were decreased significantly (the scores of liver fibrosis in rosiglitazone group, vitamin C group and rosiglitazone combining vitamin C group were 5.67±0.52, 5.75±1.39, 4.00±0.58, model group's was 11.80±1.10, all P<0.01). The scores of liver fibrosis in rosiglitazone combining vitamin C group were lower than other treatment groups (F=62.33, all P<0.01). Conclusions Rosiglitazone and combination therapy can improve nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats, and combination therapy had a better effect. Key words: Fatty liver; Insulin resistance; Ascorbic acid; Rosiglitazone