Abstract:

To study the change of expression of NF-E2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2) at different phases of mouse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD）induced by high fat diet. MethodsTwentysix female KM mice were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (normal diet)and the model group (high fat diet).All mice were sacrificed at the end of 8 or 12 weeks to test the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)， triglyceride(TG), cholesterol(CHOI), total bilirubin(TBIL), glucose(GLU), liver index and pathologic changes in the liver， also expression of Nrf2 was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultsSimple fatty liver was observed in the model group at the end of 8th week, until the end of 12th week, and the liver gradually developed steatohepatitis. Compared with the control group, levels of ALT and CHOI increased, while Nrf2 expression in liver tissue was up-regulated(P＜0.01).　Compared with the 8th  week model group,　Nrf2 expression in liver tissue was significantly higher in  the 12th week model group(P＜0.01). Nrf2 expression was positively correlated with ALT, GLU,  CHOI and liver index(P＜0.01). ConclusionWith the development of NAFLD,  expression of Nrf2 was up-regulated, which indicates that it may protect the liver from inflammation damage induced by oxidative stress.

Key words: NF-E2-related Factor 2; Oxidative stress; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease