Effects of silybin on mitochondria membrane fluidity in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: To explore the effects of silybin on mitochondrial membrane fluidity in the rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).METHODS: NAFLD rats were induced by high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Mitochondrial membrane fluidity, serum lipid levels, hepatic enzymes and peroxidant products were assayed. The histopathological changes of the livers were observed. The effects of silybin on the changes of the above parameters in NAFLD rats were also determined. Rosiglitazone was used as a positive control of treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control animals, the fluidity of mitochondrial membrane was obviously decreased, and the contents of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, malonaldehyde and superoxide dismutase in serum were markedly increased (P<0.01) in the NAFLD rats. Silybin and rosiglitazone evidently regulated mitochondrial membrane fluidity, decreased the levels of serum lipids, improved the liver functions and meliorated histopathological manifestations of the livers (P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION: High-fat diet successfully reproduces a NAFLD animal model. Stabilization of mitochondrial membrane and inhibition of oxidative stress may be the main mechanisms for the hepatoprotective effects of silybin in NAFLD.