Abstract
The occurrence of non-alcoholic fat hepatitis (NASH) is increasing: it is a disease associated with metabolic syndrome, and leads to excessive fat accumulation in the liver. Several methods concerned with the development of a NASH mouse model have been reported, however, long-term feeding of a high-fat diet is required. Recently, a NASH mouse model produced by injection of STZ solution to new-born pups was reported. We examined this method and assessed the development of NASH parameters: body weight in the STZ group was significantly lower than the control group, however, liver weight in the STZ group was significantly higher than the control group. The average area stained with Oil Red O in the STZ group was significantly greater than the control group. Serum total cholesterol levels in the STZ group were significantly higher than the control group. It is considered that the rapidly developed diabetes in the new-born pups caused growth retardation and excess liver lipid accumulation, suggesting STZ injection causes NASH development at an early age.
