Pyridoxamine and Caloric Restriction Improve Metabolic and Microcirculatory Abnormalities in Rats with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to examine the effect of a diet intervention and pyridoxamine (PM) supplementation on hepatic microcirculatory and metabolic dysfunction in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: NAFLD in Wistar rats was induced with a high-fat diet for 20 weeks (NAFLD 20 weeks), and control animals were fed with a standard diet. The NAFLD diet intervention group received the control diet between weeks 12 and 20 (NAFLD 12 weeks), while the NAFLD 12 weeks + PM group also received PM. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, body weight (BW), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and hepatic microvascular blood flow (HMBF) were evaluated at the end of the protocol. Results: The NAFLD group exhibited a significant increase in BW and VAT, which was prevented by the diet intervention, irrespective of PM treatment. The FBG was elevated in the NAFLD group, and caloric restriction improved this parameter, although additional improvement was achieved by PM. The NAFLD group displayed a 31% decrease in HMBF, which was partially prevented by caloric restriction and completely prevented when PM was added. HMBF was negatively correlated to BW, FBG, and VAT content. Conclusion: PM supplementation in association with lifestyle modifications could be an effective intervention for metabolic and hepatic vascular complications.