Lipid lowering drugs in induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been recognized as an important and relatively common disease in relation to obesity. It occurs in context of metabolic syndrome. NASH has a bad prognosis as it leads to hepatocellular carcinoma and its association with coronary vascular diseases. To date the therapeutic options are limited due to complex nature of pathogenesis. Recently cholesterol has been linked to progression of benign steatosis to NASH. Targeting metabolic syndrome components and factors related to progression has been proposed for treatment. Aim of the work in this book is to investigate if Atorvastatin and Omega 3 and their combination have a protective role in high fat diet induced NASH and to clarify their mechanisms of action. Atorvastatin improved lipid profile, decreased inflammation and oxidative stress but did not improve insulin resistance or body weight. Histopathologically it prevented steatosis and decreased inflammation. Fish oil improved lipid profile, decreased inflammation and oxidative stress, improved insulin resistance and decreased body weight, combination led to complementary action of both drugs and was more beneficial.