Effects on High Fat and Ketogenic Diet on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathology in Male and Female Mice
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, affecting 25% of Americans. Interestingly, NAFLD is associated with neurological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction/dementia. Given the high rates of these diseases, understanding risk and protective factors for NAFLD is crucial. Individuals with obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and related conditions are prone to NAFLD. While consumption of high fat/Western diet increases risk, there is evidence to suggest that ketogenic diet, which is high in fat but low in carbohydrates, may protect against NAFLD. Biological sex may influence NAFLD, but the evidence is conflicting as some report males to be more susceptible, while others report the opposite. Therefore, the goal of this project is to determine the effects of long-term consumption of a high fat (HF) or ketogenic diet (KETO) vs. a low fat (LF) diet on NAFLD in male and female mice. Fixed livers will be stained with hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of steatosis (microvesicular fat), ballooning (macrovesicular fat) and leukocyte infiltration (inflammation), as well as Sirius Red staining for fibrosis. Given our preliminary data that: HF diet increases weight gain and liver mass to a greater degree than LF and KETO, and HF diet increases liver mass in males to a greater degree than females; we expect that HF, but not KETO diet will result in NAFLD pathology, and to a greater degree in males. We will also explore how measures of NAFLD relate to metabolic outcomes and cognitive-behavioral performance.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Lisa Robinson
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-5-2023 12:00 PM
End Date
4-6-2023 4:00 PM
Effects on High Fat and Ketogenic Diet on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathology in Male and Female Mice
Alvin Sherman Library
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, affecting 25% of Americans. Interestingly, NAFLD is associated with neurological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction/dementia. Given the high rates of these diseases, understanding risk and protective factors for NAFLD is crucial. Individuals with obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and related conditions are prone to NAFLD. While consumption of high fat/Western diet increases risk, there is evidence to suggest that ketogenic diet, which is high in fat but low in carbohydrates, may protect against NAFLD. Biological sex may influence NAFLD, but the evidence is conflicting as some report males to be more susceptible, while others report the opposite. Therefore, the goal of this project is to determine the effects of long-term consumption of a high fat (HF) or ketogenic diet (KETO) vs. a low fat (LF) diet on NAFLD in male and female mice. Fixed livers will be stained with hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of steatosis (microvesicular fat), ballooning (macrovesicular fat) and leukocyte infiltration (inflammation), as well as Sirius Red staining for fibrosis. Given our preliminary data that: HF diet increases weight gain and liver mass to a greater degree than LF and KETO, and HF diet increases liver mass in males to a greater degree than females; we expect that HF, but not KETO diet will result in NAFLD pathology, and to a greater degree in males. We will also explore how measures of NAFLD relate to metabolic outcomes and cognitive-behavioral performance.
