Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid in an Experimental Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Fusako Takayama; Kazuo Nakamoto; Nagao Totani; Tomoko Yamanushi; Hideaki Kabuto; Takao Kaneyuki; Mitsumasa Mankura

doi:10.5650/jos.59.407

Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid in an Experimental Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Fusako Takayama, Kazuo Nakamoto, Nagao Totani, Tomoko Yamanushi, Hideaki Kabuto, Takao Kaneyuki, Mitsumasa Mankura

Author information

Fusako Takayama
Departments of Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
Departments of Anti-Aging Food Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
Kazuo Nakamoto
Departments of Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
Departments of Anti-Aging Food Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
Nagao Totani
Department of Nutritional Physiology, Kobe Gakuin University
Tomoko Yamanushi
Department of Health Sciences, Kagawa Prefectural College of Health Sciences
Hideaki Kabuto
Department of Health Sciences, Kagawa Prefectural College of Health Sciences
Takao Kaneyuki
Division Nutritional Science Faculty of Food Culture, Kurashiki Sakuyo University
Mitsumasa Mankura
Departments of Anti-Aging Food Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
Ikeda Tohka Industries Co., Ltd.

Keywords: docosahexaenoic acid, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, n-6/n-3 ratio, hepatoprotection, DHA, liver fibrosis, oxidative stress, functional foods

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 59 Issue 8 Pages 407-414

DOI https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.59.407

Details

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) regulates the lipid metabolism and inflammation that is closely associated with oxidative stress. The present study investigated the effects of DHA on the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). To induce fatty liver, rats were fed choline-deficient high-fat diets (CDHF). The rats were then divided into 4 groups treated over the subsequent 6 weeks as follows: control, CDHF, CDHF+oxidative stress (NASH), and NASH+DHA (1.0 g/kg, p.o.). Rats of the control group were fed MF chow diet only. NASH rats showed severe steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. Treatment with DHA significantly decreased the n-6/n-3 ratio in the livers and increased plasma SOD like activity compared with NASH rats. In addition, DHA attenuated the liver fibrosis during NASH development. Therefore, a higher DHA ratio in the liver of NASH rats might regulate the inflammatory response through a low n-6 ratio and diminished oxidative stress, effectively inhibiting liver fibrosis during NASH progression. These results suggested that DHA is a novel functional food for the prevention of NASH.

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