Rimonabant improves oxidative/nitrosative stress in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

The present study deals with the effects of rimonabant on oxidative/nitrosative stress in high diet-(HFD-) induced experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Male mice C57BL/6 were divided into the following groups: control group fed with control diet for 20 weeks (C; n=6); group fed with HFD for 20 weeks (HF; n=6); group fed with standard diet and treated with rimonabant after 18 weeks (R; n=9); group fed with HFD and treated with rimonabant after 18 weeks (HFR; n=10). Daily dose of rimonabant (10 mg/kg) was administered to HFR and R group by oral gavage for two weeks. Treatment induced a decrease in hepatic malondialdehyde concentration in HFR group compared to HF group (P<0.01). The concentration of nitrites + nitrates in liver was decreased in HFR group compared to HF group (P<0.01). Liver content of reduced glutathione was higher in HFR group compared to HF group (P<0.01). Total liver superoxide dismutase activity in HFR group was decreased in comparison with HF group (P<0.01). It was found that rimonabant may influence hepatic iron, zinc, copper, and manganese status. Our study indicates potential usefulness of cannabinoid receptor type 1 blockade in the treatment of HFD-induced NAFLD.