Effects of dietary interventionversus metformin treatment on retinol binding protein 4 expressions in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Conflicting data have been reported regarding the expression of retinol-binding protein 4 in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the impact of dietary interventionversus metformin treatment on expression of retinol-binding protein 4 in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to six groups, including two normal control groups (rats were kiled after 8 and 16 weeks of normal diet), two HFD groups (rats were kiled after 8 and 16 weeks of high-fat diet), one dietary intervention group (rats were kiled after 8 weeks of high-fat diet and 8 weeks of normal diet) and one metformin treatment group (rats were kiled after 8 weeks of high-fat diet and 8 weeks of high-fat diet and metformin treatment). The levels of retinol-binding protein 4 in serum and biochemical indexes were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of retinol-binding protein 4 mRNA in liver tissues was measuredvia western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease models were successfuly established by high-fat diet. Liver tissues of high-fat diet fed rats showed progressing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease histology, from non-alcoholic fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Dietary intervention increased retinol-binding protein 4 expression in liver tissue as wel as improving liver enzyme, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, and aleviated impaired liver histology. Metformin treatment only aleviated hepatic steatosis caused by high-fat diet. The results indicated that retinol-binding protein 4 expression might play a role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Metformin treatment can aleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease histology,dietary intervention should be the fundamental treatment.