A novel therapeutic drug (copper nicotinic acid complex) for non-alcoholic fatty liver.
BACKGROUND
Fatty liver is the accumulation of fat in liver cells, which leads to disruption of the normal liver structure and function.


METHODS
A non-alcoholic fatty liver rat model received copper (Cu) (I)-nicotinate complex [CuCl(HNA)2] for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Clinical signs and histopathological examinations showed obvious improvements in rats that received Cu complex who were continuously on an (HCFF) diet than those returned to standard diet with Cu complex. The improvement was matched in total lipids in sera and hepatic tissue, with disappearance of fat droplets from liver sections. Furthermore, the gain in body weight and the corresponding decrease in liver weight, decreased liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were prominent. The oxidative stress markers such as nitric oxide, lipid peroxides, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were obviously changed to healthy normal levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The Cu complex may serve as a novel chemical restoring agent in fatty degenerated liver cells and for renewal of their structure and functions. However, clinical trials are required for more evaluation of the Cu complex in humans.
Salama
Ragaa H M
RH
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assuit, Egypt. ragaa_2002@yahoo.com
Nassar
Ahmed Y A
AY
Nafady
Allam A M
AA
Mohamed
Hesham H T
HH
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003300:Copper / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008055:Lipids; D009525:Niacin; D003300:Copper