非酒精性脂肪肝大鼠C-反应蛋白水平的变化及与肝功能的关系

Changed C-Reactive Protein Level in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats and Its Correlation with Liver Function

目的研究非酒精性脂肪肝模型大鼠的血清C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平变化,探讨其与肝功能之间的关系。方法实验大鼠分为模型组(HF)、模型恢复组(FC)和对照组(NC)。NC组采用基础饲料喂养,HF组采用高脂饲料喂养,FC组高脂喂养8周后改基础饲料喂养。模型建立后取大鼠空腹血测定血清肝酶系、血脂及CRP水平,肝脏标本作组织病理学检查。结果高脂饲料喂养8周后,大鼠肝脏出现典型脂肪变性及炎症细胞浸润;12周后有重度脂肪变性伴大量炎症细胞浸润。HF组血清肝酶系(ALT、AST)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平均较NC组升高,血清CRP水平(0.43±0.14)mg/L亦高于NC组(0.14±0.08)mg/L。采取饮食控制的FC组肝脏病变程度减轻,ALT、AST、TC和HDL-C水平下降,CRP水平亦较HF组降低(0.21±0.14)mg/L。相关性分析显示脂肪肝大鼠的血清CRP水平与ALT水平正相关(r=0.56,P<0.05)。结论非酒精脂肪肝模型大鼠血清CRP水平升高,并与肝功能指标(ALT水平)正相关,CRP可能是非酒精性脂肪肝的预测因素之一。

Objective To study the changes of serum C-reactive protein level and its correlation with liver function in rat models with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups： normal control group （NC） with a general diet, model group （HF） with a high-fat diet, and diet control group （FC） with a switch after 8 weeks from high-fat diet to general diet. The indexes of fasting serum hepatic enzymes, blood lipids and C-reactive protein were measured after the model establishment, meanwhile, the liver specimens were examined for histopathology. Results Hepatocellular steatosis and inflammatory infiltration in liver were observed after 8 weeks＇ high-fat diet. Intensified steatosis with infiltration with large number of inflammatory cells was found in HF group after 12 weeks. Serum levels of almandine aminotransferase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, total cholesterol （TC）, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were significantly higher in the HF group than in the NC group, with an elevation in C- reactive protein level （0.43 ± 0.14 versus 0.14 ± 0.08 rag/L, P 〈 0.01）. Compared with HF group, the severity of hepatic steatosis and inflammation were reduced and the serum levels of ALT, AST., TC, HDL-C and CRP （0.21 ± 0.14 mg/L, P〈0.01） decreased in the FC group. Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between CRP level and ALT level in rats with NAFLD （r = 0.56, p 〈 0.05）. Conclusions Serum CRP concentration is elevated in rats with NAFLD, and positively correlated with the liver function （indicated as ALT level）. CRP is a possible prognostic factor for NAFLD. Diet control may partially reverse the progression of this disease.