A hydrolyzed whey peptide-based diet ameliorates hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury in the rat nonalcoholic fatty liver

Purposes The number of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing. Hepatic steatosis is a major risk factor for hepatic failure after ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. Hydrolyzed whey peptide (HWP) is a functional liquid-type nutritional diet containing whey peptide, which has previously been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we examined the effects of HWP on the hepatic I/R injury in a rat NAFLD model. Methods Rats fed a methionine/choline-deficient diet for 4 weeks were divided into two groups after 30 min of whole liver ischemia. In Group-M, HWP was given immediately after reperfusion and every 6 h thereafter. In Group-C, the vehicle was given in the same manner. The liver function tests and microscopic findings of the liver after reperfusion were compared between the two groups. Results The serum transaminase levels in Group-M were significantly lower than those in Group-C after reperfusion. The gene expression levels of IL-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly lower in Group-M compared to Group-C. The TNF-α and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) expression levels were also markedly lower in Group-M. The hepatic necrotic areas in Group-M were significantly smaller than those in Group-C. Conclusion The administration of a HWP diet ameliorated the hepatic I/R injury in rats with NAFLD.