Hypolipidemic Activity of Olive Oil (Olea europaea) against High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Mice

Farooq Ahmed Wani,Shaik Rahiman,Abdalla Z Albahrawy

doi:10.4236/ojpathology.2015.53011

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study is to access the effect of olive oil supplementation against high fat diet induced fatty liver disease in mice. Methods: Mice were divided into five groups: Group I (normal diet), Group II (high fat diet), Group III (olive oil), Group IV and V (High Fat Diet along with olive oil). All mice were fed for 16 weeks with weight measurements every 2 weeks and then sacrificed. Biochemical analysis of blood samples was done and mice livers were histologically examined. Results: Group II mice showed significant increase in body weight as compared with Group I (p < 0.05). Group IV and V mice were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in body weight as compared with Group II. Olive oil groups had significantly decreased triglyceride and low density lipoprotein levels as compared with Group II whereas high density lipoprotein levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The liver enzymes were significantly increased in Group II as compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Liver histopathology revealed drastically increased lipid droplets in Group II mice as compared with Group IV & V. Conclusion: Olive oil causes weight reduction, decreases the serum triglycerides, normalizes the liver enzymes and significantly reduces the accumulation of fat in liver. Therefore, olive oil may represent a potential therapeutic alternative for NAFLD and other fatty diseases.

Highlights

Liver is the most complex and largest internal organ in the human body
Fatty liver is considered as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disorders (CVD) and accounts for increased serum triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) [11]
High-fat diet (HFD) group animals exhibit a significant increase in body weight as compared to the control group micefed with normal diet (p < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Liver is the most complex and largest internal organ in the human body It plays a core role in the maintenance of systemic lipid homeostasis through its multiple and diverse functions [1]. There is decreased fat secretion from the liver and increased esterification of fat resulting in accumulation of net fat in the liver cells [5] [6]. The progression of this condition leads to more severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) of liver, cirrhosis of liver and liver fibrosis [3]. Fatty liver is considered as an important risk factor for CVD and accounts for increased serum triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) [11]

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