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Neonatal exposure to genistein ameliorates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats

Authors :
Bing Dong
Xubai Qiao
Chengfei Huang
Source :
The British journal of nutrition. 106(1)
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming a prevalent disease in developing countries with no effective therapy. Isoflavones such as genistein have been shown to prevent NASH in a rat model, but the effects of neonatal exposure to genistein on lipid metabolism have been rarely studied. In the present study, three doses of genistein (30, 300 or 1200 μg/rat per d) were injected (subcutaneously) into neonatal male Sprague–Dawley rats at postnatal days 1–5. After weaning, these rats were allowed free access to a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. The results demonstrate that NASH was induced by high fat feeding in the control rats, whereas genistein-treated rats displayed smaller body weight, and lower hepatic inflammation and steatosis. The mid dose of genistein was most effective. Neonatal exposure to genistein also resulted in a lower incidence of apoptotic cells in the liver. Additionally, neonatal genistein-treated rats showed lower hepatic expression of fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, but higher expression of PPARα, indicative of lower rates of lipid synthesis and higher rates of β-oxidation. These results indicate that neonatal treatment with genistein has a prolonged effect on hepatic lipid metabolism that is maintained post-weaning, offering a potential approach for the prevention of hepatic steatosis and NASH.

Details

ISSN :
14752662
Volume :
106
Issue :
1
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The British journal of nutrition
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....eccca25420a4a2470c2f4673cb362471