Su1950 Hypertension Exacerbates Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by a Choline-Deficient L-Amino Acid-Defined Diet in Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its subsequent complications create a significant health burden, with an absence of treatment modalities of proven efficacy. Statuses and oxidative stress should be existed to develop the more severe forms of NAFLD. Acai, an amazone palm fruit, is a phytochemical rich berry, with anti inflammatory properties which penetrate and protect cells from oxidative damage In Vitro. Aims: I. To evaluate the effect of freeze-dried acai powder supplementation on steatosis in a fructose enriched diet (FED) model of NAFLD in rats. II. To quantify the reduction in hepatic lipids content following acai supplementation and how it affects the oxidative stress profile. III. To investigate if there is any beneficial effect on NAFL histology. Methods: A total of 46 males Spraue Dawley rats (200-250 gr) were fed by 5 different diets: regular chow (n=5), regular plus 3% of freeze-dried acai powder (n=5), FED (60% fructose) (n=12), FED plus acai from day 21 (n=12) and FED plus aecia from day 1 (n=12). After 6 weeks rats were sacrificed and the liver extracted for evaluation of lipid content, MDA (malondialdehyde), alfa-tocopferol, paraoxonase, total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. Lipid profile, glucose, transaminases, bilirubin were determined in 1 ml of serum. Results: Acai supplementation to FED rat model tended to decrease liver steatosis and hepatocyte ballooning. Addition of acai from day 21 but not from day 1, decreased significantly hepatic TG level, increased significantly hepatic anti oxidants; alfa-tocopherol, paraoxonase, total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity (for each p<0.001), and decreased significantly hepatic MDA level (p<0.001). No significant differences were found in serum glucose level and lipid profile between FED with or without acai supplementation. Conclusions: Supplementation of acai may improve NAFLD in rats by decreasing intra-hepatic TG content, increasing anti oxidants and decreasing oxidative stress, despite having minimal beneficial effect on liver histology. Acai might be an effective therapeutic modality in patients with fatty liver.