Protective Role of Pomegranate on Fatty Liver in Obesity: An Experimental Chemical & Histopathological Study

Abstract

Aim of the work: Fatty liver is the most common cause of abnormal liver function tests. Since obesity and fatty liver can result in serious drawbacks and represent a considerable incidence rate in Saudi Arabia. This country is a famous one of pomegranate. This study aimed at investigating the ameliorating effects of pomegranate on hepatic lipid accumulation in rats with severe fatty liverin order to provide a cheap natural protective medicine since this health problem can affect the entire world economy. Material and methods: Twenty-four male Zucker rats aged 13–15 weeks were used. Animals were allowed free access to food and water for 1 week before starting the experiment. According to the body weight (BW), plasma triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were measured before treatment. The animals were divided into lean control, lean pomegranate (PGF)-treated, fatty control and fatty PGF- treated groups (six animals per group). Finally, the animals were weighed after a prompt dislocation of their neck vertebra. Then, the liver was rapidly excised, washed with saline on ice and weighed. In addition, one part of it was cut into slices for studies of lipid determination analysis. The right tibia length (TL) was measured for calculation of the ratio of liver weight to TL. A portion of the liver was homogenized and the lipids were extracted with isopropanol. Triglycerides and TC contents in the supernatant were determined. Results: Fatty rats (ZF) had shorten TL but their BWs were increased compared to lean rats. Also, ZF rats showed hepatomegaly reflected by increased liver weight and increased ratio of liver weight to TL. Treatment with PGF extract did not change BW and TL, but it reduced liver weight and the ratio in ZF rats. PGF did not affect these parameters in lean ( ZL) rats. Fatty rats exhibited severe hepatic steatosis, reflected by a marked increase in hepatic TG as well as hepatic TC contents and fatty droplets visualized by either lightmicroscopy as large vacuoles occupying the cytoplasm of hepatocytes pushing their nuclei to the periphery against the cell membrane giving signet-ring appearance or by electron microscopy as membrane-bound inclusions closely near the endoplasmic reticulum with indentation of the nuclei of the affected cells. Interestingly, 6-week treatment of fatty rats with PGF extract reduced hepatic TG contents and fatty droplets whereas it did not alter hepatic TC contents. This treatment showed minimal effects in ZL rats. Conclusion: These findings are potentially important for supporting the effectiveness of pomegranate in the treatment of obesity - induced fatty liver disease through the improvement of abnormal lipid metabolism.