Induction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance by feeding a high-fat diet in rats: does coenzyme Q monomethyl ether have a modulatory effect?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in response to a high-fat diet in rats and to test the hypothesis that dietary coenzyme Q monomethyl ether (CoQme) has antisteatogenic effects.


METHODS
Rats were fed a standard low-fat diet (control) for 18 wk or a diet containing 35% fat (57% metabolizable energy) for 10 wk, then divided into three groups for the following 8 wk. One group was given CoQ9me (30mg/kg body weight per day in 0.3mL olive oil: high fat+CoQ9me), the second olive oil (0.3mL/d) only (high fat + olive oil), and the third group received no supplements (high fat).


RESULTS
Insulin levels and the activity of alanine aminotransferase in the plasma were significantly increased in all high-fat diet groups, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance indicated insulin resistance. Triacylglycerol concentrations in whole plasma and in very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein fractions were also raised. Liver histology showed lipid accumulation in animals fed the high-fat diets, and liver triacylglycerol levels were increased (2.5- to 3-fold) in all high-fat diet groups. These effects were not changed by the administration of CoQ9me.


CONCLUSIONS
Rats fed a diet with 57% energy from fat showed insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, increased very low-density lipoprotein production, hepatic steatosis, and liver damage, and thus provide a good model for the early stages of NAFLD. Dietary CoQ9me, however, did not ameliorate the damaging effects of the high-fat diet.
Safwat
Ghada M
GM
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Pisanò
Stefania
S
D'Amore
Emanuela
E
Borioni
Giorgio
G
Napolitano
Mariarosaria
M
Kamal
Adel Amin
AA
Ballanti
Paola
P
Botham
Kathleen M
KM
Bravo
Elena
E
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D014451:Ubiquinone; D000410:Alanine Transaminase