Effect of quercetin on morphological changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in high fructose-fed rats

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of polyphenol quercetin on morphological changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats fed high-fructose diet. For 20 weeks animals (n=8 in each group) of the 1st group were given standard diet and water; the 2nd group - standard diet and 20% fructose solution; the 3rd group - standard diet with quercetin supplementation (0.1%) and 20% fructose solution. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded liver samples were sectioned, stained (hematoxilin and eosin, Van Gieson's stain), evaluated with the use of the SAF and NAS scales. Histological assessment did not reveal pathology in the structure of the liver of the 1st group rats (S0A0F0; NAS - 0, fibrosis - 0). The 2nd group rat livers disclosed micro-, mid- and macrovesicular steatosis, inflammation without ballooning, pericellular and periportal fibrosis (S2A1F2; NAS - 3, fibrosis - 2). Quercetintreated rats exhibited in liver significantly less steatosis without significant changes in inflammation and fibrosis features (S1A1F2; NAS - 2, fibrosis - 2) compared with rats of the 2nd group. The data obtained demonstrate the ability of quercetin to inhibit the development of NAFLD in rats fed a diet with a high content of fructose, by reducing the severity of hepatostatosis.