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Review
. 2012 May 21;18(19):2300-8.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i19.2300.

Animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Yoshihisa Takahashi  1 , Yurie Soejima, Toshio Fukusato
Affiliations
Review

Animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Yoshihisa Takahashi et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver of a patient without a history of alcohol abuse. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of NAFLD, can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is regarded as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and incidence has been increasing worldwide in line with the increased prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipemia. Animal models of NAFLD/NASH give crucial information, not only in elucidating pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH but also in examining therapeutic effects of various agents. An ideal model of NAFLD/NASH should correctly reflect both hepatic histopathology and pathophysiology of human NAFLD/NASH. Animal models of NAFLD/NASH are divided into genetic, dietary, and combination models. In this paper, we review commonly used animal models of NAFLD/NASH referring to their advantages and disadvantages.

Keywords: Animal model; Histopathology; Metabolic syndrome; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Liver histology of rats fed a high-fructose diet for 5 wk. A: Hepatic steatosis, mainly distributed in zone 1, is observed (azan stain, × 40); B: Both macrovesicular and microvesicular steatosis are evident as well as scattered necroinflammatory foci (arrows) (hematoxylin and eosin stain, × 200).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Liver histology of rats fed a high-fructose diet + plant leaf extract. Hepatic fatty change is completely suppressed by the plant leaf extract (hematoxylin and eosin stain, × 40).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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