With recent upsurge in obesity, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD) is growing globally. The objective of this study was to investigate the
influence of erythropoietin (EPO) therapy on NAFLD and the role of transforming
growth factor beta one (TGFβ1). NAFLD was induced in adult male albino Wistar rats
by administration of methionine choline deficient (MCD) diet. Serum level of aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, bilirubin,
triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), body weight, liver weight and liver weight
/body weight ratio were measured in different experimental groups to assess the liver
affection. Liver samples were taken for measurement of TG, TC, malondialdehyde
(MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as
histopathological detection of hepatic tissue injury and immuno-histochemical
assessment of TGFβ1. As compared to the control group, MCD diet was found to
produce a significant increase in serum level of AST, ALT, liver weight and liver
weight/ body weight ratio, accompanied with a significant increase in liver tissue MDA,
TNF-α and TGF-β1 immuno-histochemical scoring. However, there was a significant
decrease in hepatic GSH level. It also resulted in significant elevation in hepatic TG and
TC, significant decrease in serum TG and TC levels and non-significant change in body
weight, serum albumin and bilirubin. These results were supported by histopathological
changes in hepatic tissues in the form of steatosis of hepatocytes and inflammatory cells
infiltration. These results were reversed by EPO treatment. EPO treatment showed a
hepato-protective effects against the development of NAFLD with a significant
preservation of liver functions and structure that could be explained by the anti-oxidant,
anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic effect of EPO treatment.