The protective Effect of Curcumin and Niacin Against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High Fat High Fructose Fed Sprague-Dawley Rats

Abstract

curcumin and niacin are considered as a promising supplement that could protect against or support treatment of fatty liver disease (FLD). In this study, rats received an atherogenic diet consisted of 25% palm oil and 25% fructose in drinking water, which caused non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats (weighing 140 -150 grams) were divided into 4 groups (n=6): control group (G1) received a basal diet and supplied by water ad-lip, the fatty liver group (G2) was fed an atherogenic diet and 25% fructose in drinking water for four weeks, the third group (G3) was fed an atherogenic diet and 25% fructose in drinking water and were supplied by 50 mg/kg curcumin, and the fourth group (G4) in which rats were fed on atherogenic diet and 25% fructose in drinking water and were supplied by 80 mg/kg niacin. This experiment was conducted for four successive weeks. Our findings demonstrated that niacin and curcumin are useful supplements for treating rats' fatty livers. These results were based on the observed significant decrease in plasma liver enzymes (ALT, AST), improved oxidative status, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (lipid peroxidation biomarker) and increased glutathione Peroxidase (Gpx), improved lipid profile, as evidenced by decreased total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TAG), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and increased high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels, Lastly, decreased inflammatory markers levels (IL6, IL1β). For these reasons, we advise NAFLD patients to take supplements of niacin and curcumin.