Objective:to evaluate development of angiogenesis in rats of NAFLD and to determine the protective effects of antiangiogenic therapy (sorafenib) in preventing the progression of NAFLD.
Methods: 45 Albino rats (200-300 g) were divided into 3 groups (15 rats for each): Group I: Control group fed on an ordinary diet. Group II: rats received high fat, high fructose diet (HFD,HFr) with DEN ( twice weekly for 8 weeks, ip). Group III: rats received HFD, HFr + DEN + sorafenib orally for 8 weeks. Biochemical, histopathologial, and immunohistopathological examination were studied.
Results: high fat, high fructose diet with DEN resulted in a significant elevation in the serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, and AST, and ALT, significantly lower levels of HDL and Albumin together with a significant decrease in hepatic GSH, Histopathological examination revealed that liver of untreated rats showed severe fatty infilteration (grade3). Immunohistochemical examination of liver of untreated NAFLD rats showed strong staining reactions against VEGF, α- SMA, CD31, and Caspase3 antibodies. Oral administration of sorafenib alleviated all these parameters.