Regulation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress by tocotrienol in a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of tocotrienol on inflammation, oxidative stress and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Male rats were fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet and treated with either 60 or 100 mg/kg annatto tocotrienol or palm tocotrienol. Activated Toll-like receptor (TLR) and its downstream targets, increased lipid peroxidation, decreased antioxidant levels in liver and higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level were detected in the HCHF rats. Higher steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, NAFLD activity score and lipid deposition was noted. Tocotrienol inhibited TLR activation, increased interleukin-10, reduced lipid peroxidation and raised antioxidant activities in the liver. Lower serum CRP level was observed after tocotrienol administration. Palm tocotrienol (100 mg/kg) reduced steatosis grade in the HCHF rats. In conclusion, tocotrienol potentially mitigates inflammatory response, oxidative stress and steatosis in this animal model of NAFLD. The alleviation of inflammation may be in part mediated through the suppression of TLR activation.

Keywords

• Anti-inflammation
• Antioxidants
• Metabolic syndrome
• Tocopherol
• Vitamin E