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http://dx.doi.org/10.15616/BSL.2022.28.2.101

Histological Analysis of Hepatic Steatosis, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in Ascorbic Acid-Treated Ovariectomized Mice  

Lee, Mijeong (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University)
Jeon, Suyeon (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University)
Lee, Jungu (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University)
Lee, Dongju (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University)
Yoon, Michung (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University)
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD)-fed ovariectomized (OVX) female mice were used as an animal model of obese postmenopausal women. We investigated the effects of ascorbic acid on the histological changes induced in the liver. Plasma alanine aminotransferase levels and liver weights were higher in mice fed an HFD for 18 weeks than in mice fed a low-fat diet, effects that were inhibited by ascorbic acid. Similarly, mice fed an ascorbic acid-supplemented HFD had less hepatic lipid accumulation than did mice fed an HFD alone. Moreover, administration of ascorbic acid reduced inflammatory cells, including mast cells and CD68-positive cells, and inflammatory foci in the liver and inhibited hepatocyte ballooning. Hepatic collagen levels were lower in ascorbic acid-treated versus non-treated mice. These results suggest that ascorbic acid inhibits hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in obese OVX mice. Thus, ascorbic acid intake may be useful for postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Keywords
Ascorbic acid; Ovariectomized mouse; Liver; Steatosis; Inflammation; Fibrosis;
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