Intriguing hepatoprotective effects of sucrose on hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis

Chronic liver disease is closely linked to dietary intake factors, such as high consumption of simple carbohydrates including sucrose. In this study, the influence of sucrose on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver malignancy, was explored. Using the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to induce HCC in the rat, we co-administered sucrose with DEN. The co-administration significantly modified body, liver and pancreas weight, as well as, serum fatty acids and triglycerides. DEN caused liver structural alteration, fibrosis, and tumor formation; surprisingly, co-administration with sucrose restored hepatic lipids, improved liver architecture, and reduced fibrosis and tumor development. Sucrose intake negatively regulated tumor markers and cell proliferation, and reduced the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism and oxidative stress response. These findings highlight a hepatoprotective effect of sucrose during DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, underlining an intriguing role of high sucrose consumption during HCC development and providing new insights as well as possible pathways of cellular protection under sucrose intake on hepatocarcinogenesis.