[Expression and significance of liver X receptor-alpha in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats].

OBJECTIVE

Preparing rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by fat-rich diet to observe the expression and the role of LXR-alpha in rat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

METHODS

Thirty-six SD rats were randonmized into basic diet-control group and high-fat diet group. Each of the two groups was subdivided into 3 subgroups (4, 8, 12 weeks). Changes in animal weight, liver exponent and the level of TG and TC in serum and liver were observed dynamically. Meanwhile,the expression of hepatocyte LXR-alpha and SREBP-1c were assayed by Reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction at 4, 8, 12 weeks. The level of steatosis was observed under light microscope after haematoxylon-eosin (HE) staening.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, body weight, liver exponent, TG and Tc in serum and liver were increased dynamically in model groups. Compared with control group, the mRNA of LXR-a and SREBP-1c were obviously increased dynamically in model groups (P < 0.05) .

CONCLUSION

The increase of LXR-alpha and SREBP-1c in liver may be concered with energy disorder and closely associated with the activity of inflammation and the severity of the liver damage in NAFLD rats.