Chitosan ameliorates the severity of steatohepatitis induced by high fat diet in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Currently, no agent has been conclusively demonstrated to prevent the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Chitosan, a natural product derived from chitin, was thought to possess hypocholesterolemic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of chitosan on nutritional steatohepatitis in rats.


METHODS
Rats were fed with a high fat diet for 4 weeks to develop NASH that was confirmed by liver biopsy, and then 4 weeks of chitosan was given. Serum chemistry and liver histology were assessed and the steatoinflammatory mechanisms were studied.


RESULTS
Chitosan significantly protected against high fat diet-induced hepatic steatohepatitis. This effect was associated with repressed serum levels of total protein (TP), globulin (GLO), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Chitosan elevated the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the ratio of albumin to globulin. Furthermore, increased TNF-alpha, lipoemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia and hypoadiponectin in NASH were significantly ameliorated by treatment with chitosan.


CONCLUSIONS
Chitosan effectively attenuated the steatohepatitis induced by a high fat diet. The therapeutic effect of chitosan on NASH may be activated through exerting an influence on adipokines.
Zhou
Guang-De
GD
Department of Pathology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
Li
Mei-Rong
MR
Zhang
Jing
J
Pan
Deng
D
Zhao
Su-Xian
SX
Yang
Jian-Fa
JF
Yu
Jun
J
Zhao
Jing-Min
JM
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D048271:Chitosan