Protective effects of nitric oxide on hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in rats.


METHODS
Thirty normal Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: group A, free access to food and water; group B, TPN; group C, TPN plus arginine; group D, TPN plus NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, NO synthase inhibitor); group E, TPN plus arginine and L-NAME. At the seventh day, liver function tests were examined, lipid content, nitric oxide level, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured, and histology was examined.


RESULTS
The hepatic lipid content [triglyceride (mmol/g tissue), cholesterol (mmol/g tissue)] in group B was increased compared with group A (39.3+/-2.4 and 13.1+/-1.1 vs 6.9+/-0.8 and 5.6+/-0.6) (P<0.05). It was higher in group D (50+/-6 and 14.1+/-1.7) than in group B (P<0.05), whereas lower in group C (18+/-4 and 7+/-3) than in group B (P<0.05). The activity and distribution of NOS in the liver were associated with the content and distribution of hepatic lipid.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that nitric oxide produced by the liver may protect hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition in rats.
Zheng
Jin-Fang
JF
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Hainan Provincial People's Hospital, Haikou 570311, China. zhengjf168@263.net
Wang
Hai-Dong
HD
Liang
Li-Jian
LJ
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D014280:Triglycerides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002784:Cholesterol; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase