Key result
Saffron reduces body weight and modulates PPARα expression versus diet alone in NAFLD rats.
Why the study?
The worldwide increasing prevalence of NAFLD motivated investigation of saffron's preventive effects and mechanisms in a rat model.
Does saffron consumption prevent the development of NAFLD in a rat model fed a high-fat high-sugar diet?
RCT (n=12)
Randomized
Does saffron consumption prevent the development of NAFLD in a rat model fed a high-fat high-sugar diet?
p-value: p=0.030
Saffron consumption may prevent the development of NAFLD in a rat model, potentially through modulation of PPARα gene expression.
Saffron may attenuate HFHS-induced NAFLD in rats; leaves open translation to human prevention strategies.
Background: According to the worldwide increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the present study aimed to investigate the mechanism effects of saffron consumption on preventing NAFLD in a rat model.Methods: In an experimental study, 12 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups to be evaluated in the prevention phase for 7 weeks.In the prevention phase, the animals were randomly assigned to either fed HFHS + 250 mg/kg saffron (S) or fed with HFHS.Afterward, parts of the liver were excised for histopathologic examination.Plasma concentrations of ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, serum lipids, insulin concentrations, plasma glucose, hs-CRP, and TAC were measured.Moreover, Also, the gene expression of 6 target genes was evaluated, including FAS, ACC1, CPT1 ، PPARα ،DGAT2, and SREBP 1-c at the beginning and end of the study.Also, the differences among groups were evaluated by the Mann-Whitney test for non-normal data and the independent t test for normal data. Results:The prevention phase groups have a significant elevation in body weight (P = 0.034) and food intake (P = 0.001) of the HFHS group versus HFHS + 250 mg/kg S group.Also, there was a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 for ALT (P = 0.011) and AST (P = 0.010), and TG (P = 0.040).The HFHS group had higher plasma levels of FBS (P = 0.001), insulin (P = 0.035), HOMA-IR (P = 0.032), and lower TAC (P = 0.041) versus the HFHS+ S group.Also, the difference between HFHS + 250 mg/kg S and HFHS for PPARα gene expression was significant (P = 0.030).Conclusion: The present study showed that consumption of saffron could prevent developing NAFLD in rats at least partially through modulation in gene expression of PPARα.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Alipour et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (n=12). Saffron vs. HFHS diet alone was evaluated on PPARα gene expression (p=0.030). Saffron consumption (250 mg/kg) significantly modulated PPARα gene expression (P=0.030) and reduced body weight (P=0.034) compared to HFHS diet alone in a rat model of NAFLD.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: