Preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on ethinyl estradiol-induced hepatosteatosis in female wistar rat

Abstract:background: hepatic steatosis due to estrogen therapy increases the activity of inflammatory markers, particularly the activity of tnfa which in turn induces more lipogenesis. omega-3 fatty acids are among the negative regulators of hepatic lipogenesis. objectives: in this research, the preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on estrogen-induced steatosis in rats was evaluated. methods: 2 mg/kg. bw/sc of 17a-ethiny-lestrasdiol were injected into 25 female wistar rats in 5 equal groups (excluding the control group) over 10 consecutive days. simultaneously, 3 of estradiol-treated groups were orally given 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg. bw omega-3 fatty acids, respective-ly. at the end of the experiment, plasma alt, ast, and tnfa level were determined. histopathological changes in the liver were also identified by the evaluation of samples stained with h&e and oil red o. results: the histological findings revealed hepatic microvesicular steatosis and fat deposit in ethinylestradiol and, to a lesser extent, in the 250 mg/kg bw omega-3 fatty acids groups. the plasma levels of ast, alt, and tnfa significantly increased in the ethinylestradiol group compared to the control (p < 0.05) and 1000 mg/kg. b.w omega-3 group. omega-3 fatty acids reduced these parameters in comparison to the estradiol group (p < 0.05). conclusions: it was concluded that 1000mg/kg.bw of omega-3 protects the liver against steatotic injuries.