Bupropion effects on high-fat diet-induced steatohepatitis and endothelial dysfunction in rats: role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to elucidate the effect of bupropion (BUP) on high-fat diet (HFD)-treated rats that is to say the action of BUP on diabetes and hyperlipidemia with its consequences on liver and endothelial function.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats were fed HFD or normal chow for 15 weeks then given either BUP (50 mg/kg) or distilled water by gavage for 4 weeks. The effect of BUP on diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hepatic and vascular functions as well as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α were assessed. The intima-media thickness of the aorta was evaluated.


RESULTS
BUP significantly decreased serum lipid, liver enzyme, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum TNF-α and the impaired glucose tolerance. Liver from rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) demonstrated significant higher TNF-α level, inflammatory cell infiltration, ballooning and steatosis which significantly ameliorated by BUP treatment. Neither intima/media ratio nor vascular reactivity to acetylcholine is improved by BUP treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
NASH induced by a HFD was associated with hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction and increase in liver TNF-α. All of these may contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH. BUP has potential role in improving metabolic and hepatic function with negative vascular effect. Since BUP is a well-known antidepressant, it will be a candidate drug in treatment of depression in hepatic diseased or metabolic disturbed patients.
Department of Pharmacology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mai
M
Ahmed
Wesam M
WM
El-Bakly
Ahmed M
AM
Zaki
Lobna F
LF
abd Alzez
Osama
O
El serafi
D000818:Animals; D016642:Bupropion / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016642:Bupropion
TNF-α; atherosclerosis; bupropion; insulin resistance; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)