Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of high fat combined with iron overload diet in rats on lipid metabolism in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS:Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control,high iron diet (high iron diet containing 1% FeSO₄),high fat diet (high fat diet),high fat and low dose iron supplement diet (high fat diet containing 0.5% FeSO₄),high fat and high dosage iron diet (high fat diet containing 1% FeSO₄) groups. These rats were sacrificed after 20 weeks. Their body weights were measured and liver lipid accumulation was observed by oil red O staining. The content of liver TG was measured. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to detect mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and their proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with the normal control group,the body weight and liver TG content in the high fat group were increased significantly (P < 0.05) and high fat diet promoted the deposition of TG in the liver. Additionally,the mRNA level and protein expression of FAS were significantly increased,but the mRNA level and protein expression of CPT1 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the high fat group,the content of liver TG in the high fat and high dosage iron supplement group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein level of FAS were increased significantly and the mRNA and protein level of CPT1 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Iron overload further promoted the deposition of TG in the liver,the disorder of lipid metabolism and the development of NAFLD.

Key words: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, iron overload, free fatty acids, lipid metabolism