The potential effect of vitamin D on rats with fatty liver induced by a choline-deficient diet

Abstract

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present worldwide and is considered the most common cause for abnormal liver function tests and chronic liver disease in both developed and developing countries. Aim This study aimed to investigate the effect of pretreatment with vitamin D on NAFLD and the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in vitamin D-mediated hepatoprotective effect. Materials and methods NAFLD was induced in albino rats by administration of a choline-deficient diet. Serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum levels of albumin, bilirubin, and 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], body weight, liver weight, and liver index were measured in different experimental groups to assess liver affection. In addition, TGFβ1 was immunohistochemically determined. Results NAFLD caused significant increases (P Conclusion Vitamin D has a hepatoprotective effect in NAFLD induced by a choline-deficient diet, and TGFβ1 contributes to this protection.