Aim: To evaluate the mRNA expression levels of Cd36 in adipose and hepatic tissues, in rats with NAFLD after the consumption of sucrose for 10 and 20 weeks.
Methods: Twenty Wistar rats, all nearly 21 days old were divided into two experimental groups (NAFLD-10 and NAFLD-20), that received a standard diet (2014 Teklad Global) plus 30% sucrose in their drinking water for 10 and 20 weeks and the control groups (C Groups). Variables such as body weight, food intakes, and serum parameters were measured. Adipose and hepatic tissues were extirpated; some tissue was preserved in formalin and some at -70 °C until analysis. Histological analysis was carried out, and the Cd36 mRNA expression levels were determined.
Results: The rats in the NAFLD-10 and NAFLD-20 groups showed a significative increase in abdominal fat, triglycerides, free fatty acids, insulin, AST, ALT, uric acid and HOMA index; as well as changes in the cellular dynamics in adipose tissue, (adipocytes hypertrophic: >1500 µm2) with respect to the control groups (P<0.05). The histological analysis showed development of mild portal hepatitis in rats of the NAFLD-10 group and grade 1 hepatic steatosis with mild portal inflammation in rats of the NAFLD-20 group. Finally, Cd36 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in hepatic tissue after 10 (1.5-fold) and 20 (3.5-fold) weeks of sucrose ingestion (P<0.05).
Conclusion: mRNA expression is a molecular mechanism involved in the development of NAFLD associated with obesity in rats consuming sucrose. However, there was increased Cd36 mRNA expression only in hepatic tissue while in hypertrophic adipose tissue mRNA levels remained unchanged.
Keywords: CD36; fatty liver; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; obesity; sucrose.