Quercetin administration post-weaning attenuates high-fructose, high-cholesterol diet-induced hepatic steatosis in growing, female, Sprague Dawley rat pups

BACKGROUND: Fructose and cholesterol-rich diets have been implicated in the upsurge of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Phytochemicals are being explored as alternatives for the prevention and management of MetS. Thirty-six 21-day-old, female Sprague Dawley rats fed a high-fructose, high-cholesterol diet post-weaning were used to investigate the prophylactic potential of quercetin. Group 1 was given standard rat chow (SRC); Group 2: SRC and quercetin (75 mg kg⁻¹ daily); Group 3: SRC and fenofibrate (100 mg kg⁻¹ daily); Group 4 was given a high cholesterol diet (HCD) (2% added dietary cholesterol in SRC), 20% fructose drinking solution (FS); Group 5 was given HCD, 20% FS and quercetin (75 mg kg⁻¹ daily); Group 6: HCD, 20% FS and fenofibrate (100 mg kg⁻¹ daily). Rats were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks, euthanized, and blood and liver samples were collected. RESULTS: The HCD and FS significantly increased (P < 0.05) absolute and relative liver masses and serum cholesterol. Fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides, alanine transaminase, creatinine, and urea were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between groups. The HCD and FS significantly increased liver lipid yield compared to the SRC and rats receiving SRC with fenofibrate (P < 0.05). Quercetin or fenofibrate together with HCD and FS attenuated the diet-induced increase in liver lipids by approximately 50%, although this was not statistically significant. Liver macro- and micro-steatosis scores were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in rats receiving HCD and FS. Quercetin or fenofibrate administration together with HCD and FS significantly decreased (P < 0.05) liver macro-steatosis scores. CONCLUSION: The prophylactic effect of quercetin on fructose and cholesterol diet-induced liver lipid accumulation may be exploited in the fight against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).