Holothuria arenicola Extract Attenuated Hepatic Steatosis in Splenectomized Rat Fed High Fat Diet

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a considerable public health concern due to the excessive dietary consumption of high caloric diet and subsequent obesity. Additionally, splenectomy is considered one of the major common risk factors for NAFLD. Objective: Regardless of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) being the most common chronic disorder, there is no effective cure for it. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Holothuria arenicola extract (HaE) on hepatic steatosis in splenectomized (SPX) rats fed High fat diet (HFD). Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=28) were randomly assigned to four groups: sham rats fed a standard diet, sham rats+ HFD, SPX+HFD and SPX+HFD+HaE. The estimation of hematological and some biochemical parameters, as well as oxidative status, were analyzed. Results: Oral administration of HaE caused a significant amelioration in all hematological parameters relative to untreated splenectomized rats. Concerning lipid metabolism, HaE treatment caused a pronounced amelioration in lipid metabolism, as indicated by the decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol contents, as well as the increased HDL- cholesterol level. HaE treatment significantly enhanced hepatic function, as exhibited by the reduction in liver enzyme activities as well as the increase in protein and albumin content. Moreover, HaE could retard the hepatic oxidative stress via a pronounced increase in hepatic GSH content and antioxidant enzyme activities besides decreasing MDA, NO and H2O2 formation. Conclusion: HaE could be utilized as a potential alternative hepatoprotective remedy via lipid metabolism and oxidative damage attenuation.