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High-Dose β-Carotene Suppresses Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Progression in a Mouse Model
Sachina Suzuki1, Keizo Umegaki2, Tsuyoshi Chiba3
1Faculty of Healthcare, Tokyo Healthcare University, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Food Science
|June 25, 2025
Summary
High-dose beta-carotene (a vitamin A precursor) suppressed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression and liver fat accumulation in mice. However, physiological doses showed no benefit, indicating a need for further human studies on beta-carotene for NASH.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent liver condition with limited treatment options.
- Antioxidant vitamins and some carotenoids show potential in managing NASH.
- The efficacy of beta-carotene in NASH remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying doses of beta-carotene on diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a mouse model.
- To determine if beta-carotene can prevent or mitigate the progression of NASH.
- To explore the dose-dependent effects of beta-carotene on liver health markers.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6J male mice were fed a control diet or a NASH-inducing diet supplemented with different concentrations of beta-carotene (0.0005%-0.5%) for 12 weeks.
- NASH development was assessed by measuring liver weight, plasma levels of AST and ALT, hepatic triglyceride content, and NAFLD activity score.
- Histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate steatosis and lobular inflammation.
Main Results:
- The NASH diet successfully induced liver damage, characterized by increased liver weight, elevated liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation.
- Low physiological doses of beta-carotene (0.0005%-0.005%) did not significantly alter NASH progression.
- A high dose of beta-carotene (0.5%) significantly suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation and reduced the NAFLD activity score, particularly lobular inflammation.
Conclusions:
- High-dose beta-carotene intake demonstrated a protective effect against hepatic lipid accumulation and NASH progression in a mouse model.
- Physiological doses of beta-carotene were ineffective in ameliorating NASH in this study.
- While beta-carotene's role in NASH warrants further investigation, particularly through human observational studies, its presence in food is considered beneficial. Active consumption via regular foods is recommended over supplements.
