Comparison of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model using diet-induced NAFLD mice with genetically modified mice

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing steadily every year affecting all population both Western and Asian countries. The current treatments available for NAFLD are non-conclusive warranting newer effective pharmacological agents. Newly formulated agents require prior testing using animal models. However, in developing countries, these models are often costly. The possibility of using more affordable animal model in local settings should be investigated. In this study, ten Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and seven B6.Cg-LepOb/J leptin-knockout (JAX) male mice were recruited. Five ICR and all JAX mice were subjected to high-fat diet (60% kcal fat) and remaining ICR mice were given standard diet (SD) for six weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly while abdominal circumference, random blood glucose and liver span were measured at the end of the HFD study. Livers collected were subjected to histology assessment. Compared to ICR group, JAX group presented with significantly higher body weight (58 ± 0.72, p<0.05), larger body weight changes (16.57 ± 0.81, p<0.05), more HFD intake (197.14 ± 0.812, p<0.05) and larger abdominal circumference (11.79 ± 0.34: p<0.05). Liver from JAX group appeared with general steatosis and presentation of high-grade panacinar steatosis, low number of lobular inflammations and minimal fibrosis. Liver of ICR mice showed Zone 3 steatosis with high number of lobular inflammations without fibrosis. The NAFLD characteristics presented in JAX group suggested that B6.Cg-LepOb/J mice developed characteristics of NAFLD resembling human while ICR is suitable NAFLD model resembling human population resilient towards NAFLD

The impact of bisphenol A exposure during pregnancy on the heart of mother and fetal rats

In utero bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been reported to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adult life. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impact of in utero BPA exposure on proteins expression related to cardiac function in heart of rat foetuses (Rattus norvegicus). In here, pregnant rats were divided into tween-80 (vehicle control), 0.05 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL BPA via drinking water for 19 days: from pregnancy day 2 till 21. Caesarean section was conducted on pregnancy day 21 to collect plasma and heart of both mother and foetuses. BPA-exposed pregnant rats showed significant increase in blood pressure (BP) and reduction in glycogen content (p<0.05) in comparison to control pregnant rats. Remarkably, reduced expression of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and redistribution of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) expression were in foetus of BPA-exposed mother in comparison with foetus of control mother. Hypoxia induced factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) expression was elevated in BPA-exposed foetal heart compared to the control. The findings in here suggest the risk of in utero BPA exposure on both foetus and mother, which may increase the risk of CVD in later life by altering the expression of protein crucial for heart development and function