Preventive effects of chronic exogenous growth hormone levels on diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by hepatic steatosis, can be reversed by early treatment. Several case reports have indicated that the administration of recombinant growth hormone (GH) could improve fatty liver in GH-deficient patients. Here, we investigated whether chronic exogenous GH levels could improve hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet in rats, and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Results

High-fat diet-fed rats developed abdominal obesity, fatty liver and insulin resistance. Chronic exogenous GH improved fatty liver, by reversing dyslipidaemia, fat accumulation and insulin resistance. Exogenous GH also reduced serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, and ameliorated hepatic lipid peroxidation and o

SUBMITTER: Qin Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2918616 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature