title: Development of steatohepatitis in Ob/Ob mice is dependent on Toll-like receptor 4.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The etiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, and why some patients develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) vs. uncomplicated NAFLD, is not well understood. Obesity and NAFLD are thought to be associated with high circulating levels of leptin; however, the role of leptin in NASH has been controversial. Secondly, as ob/ob mice are known to have elevated circulating levels of TLR4-stimulating endotoxin secondary to increased intestinal permeability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the long-term effects of steatosis on the livers of aleptinemic (OB) mice and the role of TLR4 in the development of hepatic sequelae in these animals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 20 weeks of age OB animals displayed grossly steatotic livers, but also features of early stage NASH including hepatocellular ballooning and numerous necroinflammatory foci with associated changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). TLR4 KO did not affect the development of obesity or steatosis in ob/ob mice, but protected these animals from hepatitis and liver injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the data presented here indicate that steatohepatitis develops in the absence of leptin, and that TLR4 is integral to the development NASH secondary to hyperphagia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Transplant Surgery, Department Of Surgery, Medical University Of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Alton G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sutter
authors.affiliation: Division of Transplant Surgery, Department Of Surgery, Medical University Of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Arun P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Palanisamy
authors.affiliation: Division of Transplant Surgery, Department Of Surgery, Medical University Of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Julie H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lench
authors.affiliation: Division of Transplant Surgery, Department Of Surgery, Medical University Of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Alex P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Jessmore
authors.affiliation: Division of Transplant Surgery, Department Of Surgery, Medical University Of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Chavin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; C493487:Tlr4 protein, mouse; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4