Effect of Monascus on Improving Hepatic Tissue and Biochemistry in Rat Models of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective To observe the effect of monascus on improving hepatic tissue and biochemistry in an experimental rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet.Methods The experimental rat model of NAFLD was induced by using high-fat diet.HE stains were used to observe the histologic changes of the liver;the levels of blood lipid,ALT and AST were tested with automatic clinical chemistry analyzer;and LN,HA,PC Ⅲ,CⅣwere detected by Western-blot and ELISA.Results 1.The successful rate of NAFLD model was 100 percent.2.The levels of ALT and AST were higher in NAFLD rat,and the ratio of ALT/AST was less than 1,and the difference was significance as compared with the control group(P=0.000).The level of CHOL and LDL increased while the HDL decreased as compared to the control(P=0.000);the difference in CHOL and HDL-C between the high dose monascus group and gynostemma group was significant(P=0.006).3.The influence of monascus on liver fibrosis in NAFLD rat model: the levels of LN,HA,PC Ⅲ and CⅣ were high in the model group,and decreased in the lower dose monascus group;While there was no changes in other groups;the difference among the model group,monascus groups(different dose) and gynostemma group was not significant(P=0.057).Conclusion The monasucs can effectively reduce inflammation,protect the liver cells,and slow the progress of the NAFLD.