Protective effects of nitric oxide on hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition in rats
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Published on: September 20, 2019
Jin-Fang Zheng1, Hai-Dong Wang, Li-Jian Liang
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Hainan Provincial People's Hospital, Haikou 570311, China. zhengjf168@263.net
Aim:
To investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in rats.
Methods:
Thirty normal Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: group A, free access to food and water; group B, TPN; group C, TPN plus arginine; group D, TPN plus NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, NO synthase inhibitor); group E, TPN plus arginine and L-NAME. At the seventh day, liver function tests were examined, lipid content, nitric oxide level, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured, and histology was examined.
Results:
The hepatic lipid content [triglyceride (mmol/g tissue), cholesterol (mmol/g tissue)] in group B was increased compared with group A (39.3+/-2.4 and 13.1+/-1.1 vs 6.9+/-0.8 and 5.6+/-0.6) (P<0.05). It was higher in group D (50+/-6 and 14.1+/-1.7) than in group B (P<0.05), whereas lower in group C (18+/-4 and 7+/-3) than in group B (P<0.05). The activity and distribution of NOS in the liver were associated with the content and distribution of hepatic lipid.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that nitric oxide produced by the liver may protect hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition in rats.
