title: Effects of glutamine on oxidative stress and nuclear factor-κB expression in the livers of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of glutamine on the histomorphology of the liver, oxidative stress and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD was induced in rats by a high-fat diet, and rats in the treatment group were subjected to oral administration of glutamine (1 g/kg/day). Rats from the treatment, model and normal control groups were assessed after 8 and 12 weeks (n=6 per group at each time-point). The levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the liver, and the liver histopathology and NF-κB protein 65 (p65) expression in the liver were assessed. Compared with the control group under the same experimental period, the MDA and TNF-α levels in the liver, the hepatic steatosis and the hepatic expression of NF-κB p65 were significantly higher in the model and the treatment groups (P<0.05), while the GSH levels in the liver were significantly lower (P<0.05). These indices improved significantly in the treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05). In conclusion, glutamine reduces the degree of oxidative stress in the liver, inhibits NF-κB p65 expression and improves hepatic steatosis. Glutamine has a certain protective effect in NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhihui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jinli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiqi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Guisheng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ding
keywords: glutamine; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; nuclear factor-κB; oxidative stress