Expression of hepcidin and interleukin-6 and their correlation in liver inflammation process in a rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective To investigate the changes in the expression of hepcidin ( Hepc) and interleukin-6 ( IL-6) in liver inflammation process in a rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) . Methods The rats were given high-fat emulsion by gavage to establish the model of NAFLD ( group M) and normal rats were given normal saline by gavage as controls ( group C) . Liver tissue samples were collected from these rats, and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of Hepc and IL-6 in liver tissue in group M at 4, 8, and 12weeks ( M4, M8, and M12groups) and in group C at 12 weeks ( C12group) . The NAFLD activity score ( NAS) was assessed for both groups.The expression of Hepc and IL-6 in liver tissue was measured, and NAS was calculated. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was also performed. Results Over the course of treatment, the M4, M8, and M12 groups had gradual increases in the expression of Hepc and IL-6, and there were significant differences between these groups and the C12group ( Hepc: 0. 372 ± 0. 216/1. 213 ± 0. 193/2. 390± 0. 192 vs 0. 166 ± 0. 192, all P < 0. 05; IL-6: 0. 499 ± 0. 218/1. 290 ± 0. 210/2. 644 ± 0. 441 vs 0. 240 ± 0. 109, all P < 0. 05) . In group M, the expression of Hepc was positively correlated with that of IL-6 ( r = 0. 944, P < 0. 05) , and the expression Hepc and IL-6 was positively correlated with NAS ( r = 0. 927 and 0. 907, both P < 0. 001) . Conclusion Based on the results of this preliminary study, liver inflammation process in NAFLD can upregulate the expression of Hepc and IL-6 in liver tissue, and Hepc is significantly correlated with the inflammatory factor IL-6. Further studies are needed to investigate the roles of Hepc and IL-6 in predicting the progression of NAFLD.