title: Niacin Ameliorates Lipid Disturbances due to Glucocorticoid Administration in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of niacin on glucocorticoid-induced dyslipidemia and fatty liver in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  TWENTY FOUR ADULT MALE RATS WERE DIVIDED RANDOMLY INTO FOUR EQUAL GROUPS: 1- normal saline (control), 2- dexamathasone 0.125 mg/kg/day, i.m., 3- dexamathasone + niacin 200 mg/kg/day, oral gavages, 4- niacin. After 2 weeks, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c and VLDL-c concentrations were assayed and liver sections examined for fatty liver changes. Data were analyzed by ANOVA method and P< 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dexamethasone increased all lipid parameters as compared to control (P< 0.05). Lipid parameters in group 3, were lower than group 2 (P< 0.05) except for HDL-c which remained statistically the same. Moderate fatty liver changes were observed in one third of rats in dexamethasone group. Rats in groups 1, 3 and 4 had no sign of fatty changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Niacin positively affects glucocorticoid-induced dyslipidemia and fatty liver changes in rats.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Niloofar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Safaei
authors.forename: Tahoora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shomali
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taherianfard
keywords: Dyslipidemia; Fatty Liver; Glucocorticoids; Niacin; Rats