Atorvastatin and Flaxseed Effects on Biochemical Indices and Hepatic Fat of NAFLD Model in Rats

Zahra Eslami; Abdorreza E Moghanlou; Yahya M N P Kandi; Mehdi S Arabi; Alireza Norouzi; Hamidreza Joshaghani

doi:10.4103/abr.abr_21_22

Atorvastatin and Flaxseed Effects on Biochemical Indices and Hepatic Fat of NAFLD Model in Rats

Adv Biomed Res. 2023 Apr 25:12:98. doi: 10.4103/abr.abr_21_22. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Zahra Eslami¹, Abdorreza E Moghanlou², Yahya M N P Kandi³, Mehdi S Arabi⁴, Alireza Norouzi⁵, Hamidreza Joshaghani⁶

Affiliations

¹ Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan Province, Iran.
² Department of Coaching Education, Istanbul eEsenyurt University, Istanbul, Turkey.
³ Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr Branch, Islamshahr, Iran.
⁴ Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
⁵ Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
⁶ Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease that affects about 25% of the general population. No definitive treatment for NAFLD has been identified yet. The aim was to determine the effect of atorvastatin (ATO) and flaxseed on related indicators of NAFLD-induced fat/fructose-enriched diet (FFD).

Materials and methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. NAFLD groups received FFD and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to induce NAFLD. After intervention with ATO (10 mg/kg/day) and/or flaxseed (7.5 g/kg/day), liver enzymes and lipid profiles in serum were determined at eight week of interventions.

Results: Triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) in FFD + ATO, FFD + flaxseed, and FFD + ATO + flaxseed had a significant decrease and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level and LDL/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio showed a significant increase in the FFD + flaxseed compared to the FFD. The levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were significantly reduced in the FFD + ATO, FFD + flaxseed, and the FFD + ATO + flaxseed. In addition, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly different between normal and FFD. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were significantly different in the FFD + flaxseed and the FFD + ATO + flaxseed compared to the FFD.

Conclusion: ATO therapy along with flaxseed controls NAFLD-related indices and FBS. Therefore, it can be stated with caution that ATO and flaxseed can be used to improve lipid profile and reduce the complications of NAFLD.

Keywords: Atorvastatin; carbon tetrachloride; flaxseed; fructose; lipids; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; rats.