Resveratrol attenuates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by maintaining gut barrier integrity and inhibiting gut inflammation through regulation of the endocannabinoid system

1. Download : Download high-res image (110KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

The effects of carnitine supplementation on clinical characteristics of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThe beneficial effects of carnitine supplementation on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of carnitine supplementation on liver function, lipid profile, body mass index, body weight, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.MethodsA comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were performed. Only randomized placebo-controlled human studies that examined the effects of carnitine supplementation on liver function, lipid profile, body mass index, body weight, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance up to September 2019 were included. Fixed effects or random-effects models were applied to compute the pooled effect size. Heterogeneity assessments were performed using Cochran’s Q test and I-squared statistics. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Jaded scale.ResultsA total of 5 articles were selected, including 334 individuals (167 in control and 167 in intervention groups). The results demonstrated that carnitine supplementation significantly reduced homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: −0.91; 95 % CI: −1.11, −0.72; p < 0.001, I² = 0.0 %) and the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: −16.62; 95 % CI: −28.11, −5.14; IU/l; p = 0.005, I² = 93.5 %), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (WMD: -33.39; 95 % CI: −45.13, −21.66; IU/l; p < 0.001, I² = 93.4 %), and triglycerides (TG) (WMD: −22.13; 95 % CI: −38.91, −5.34; mg/dl; p = 0.01; I² = 0.0 %). However, the results of the pooled effect size did not show any significant effect of carnitine supplementation on body mass index (BMI) (WMD: 0.07; 95 % CI: −0.15, 0.29; p = 0.55; I² = 0.0 %), body weight (WMD: −0.28; 95 % CI: −2.23, 1.68; p = 0.78; I² = 45.7 %), the levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT) (WMD: −11.31; 95 % CI: −24.35, 1.73; IU/l; p = 0.09, I² = 61.1 %), cholesterol (WMD: −13.58; 95 % CI: −46.77, 19.60; mg/dl; p = 0.42; I² = 94.9 %), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD: 1.36; 95 % CI: −0.96, 3.68; mg/dl; p = 0.25; I² = 64.7 %), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: −14.85; 95 % CI: −45.43, 15.73; mg/dl; p = 0.34; I² = 96.4 %).ConclusionsThis analysis shows that carnitine supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease demonstrates a reduction in AST, ALT, TG levels and HOMA-IR. However, no significant effect of carnitine supplementation was observed on BMI, body weight, the levels of γGT, TC, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of aloe vera in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND Aloe vera exerts several biological activities, such as, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. It was recently shown to reduce insulin resistance and triglyceride level. We hypothesized that aloe vera would have beneficial effects in alleviating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) in rats.AIM To examine the therapeutic effects of aloe vera in NASH rats.METHODS All rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n = 6 in each group). Rats in the control group were fed ad libitum with a standard diet for 8 wk. Rats in the NASH group were fed ad libitum with a high-fat high-fructose diet(HFHFD) for 8 wk. Rats in the aloe vera group were fed ad libitum with a HFHFD and aloe vera in dimethylsulfoxide(50 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 8 wk. Liver samples were collected at the end of the treatment period.RESULTS Hepatic malondialdehyde(MDA) levels increased significantly in the NASH group as compared with the control group(377 ± 77 nmol/mg vs 129 ± 51 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P 0.001). Glutathione(GSH) levels were significantly lower in the NASH group than the control group(9 ± 2 nmol/mg vs 24 ± 8 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P = 0.001). The expression of interleukin-18(IL-18), nuclear factor-kappa β, and caspase-3 increased, while peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma decreased in the NASH group compared with the controls. Following aloe vera administration, MDA levels decreased(199 ± 35 nmol/mg protein) and GSH increased(18 ± 4 nmol/mg protein) markedly. Steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation and increased hepatocyte apoptosis were observed in the NASH group. Aloe vera treatment attenuated these changes in liver histology.CONCLUSION Aloe vera attenuated oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte apoptosis, thus improving liver pathology in rats with NASH.