Characterization of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a chronic nutritional overload condition

Abstract

Recent evidences suggest that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, it is still unclear if the cardiovascular risk is more present in pure steatosis or necro-inflammation characteristic of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The objective of this study will be characterizing the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a chronic overload nutritional condition. Male Wistar rats from São Paulo State University Animal Center - UNESP - Botucatu/SP will be fed with normal chow or hipercaloric diet for 6, 12 and 24 weeks (C6, C12, C24, H6, H12, H24; n=15 animals/group). NAFLD indicators will be evaluated, such as: steatosis, presence of necroinflammatory changes and/or hepatic fibrosis. In addition, will be evaluated the hepatic free fatty acid, ceramide and diacylglycerol pool, oxidative stress, hepatic insulin signalling and two indicators of inflammatory activation. Data will be reported as descriptive measures of position and variability. Comparisons between groups will be performed using two-way ANOVA for independent groups and complemented by post hoc Tukey test. A 5% significance level will be adopted. (AU)