Improving effects of Narazuke lees on fatty liver of rats induced by high-fat and high-cholesterol diets

Abstract

With the purpose of using Narazuke lees as a functional foods material, its effect on fatty liver of rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet was investigated. While significant accumulation of triacylglycerol was observed in the liver of rats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diet was observed, rats fed diet supplemented with Narazuke lees showed significantly increased fecal dry weight, as well as increased fecal excretion of total lipids and total bile acids. Further, free fatty acids, glucose and insulin concentrations in the blood were significantly decreased, and amelioration of insulin resistance was observed. In the liver, reduction of FAS activity, significant increase in CPT-Ia activity and promotion of fatty acid β-oxidation were observed. An improving effect on fatty liver was observed by the suppression of lipid accumulation. The amount of liver TBARS was significantly reduced, indicating the inhibition of NASH progression.