High-carbohydrate diet-induced metabolic disorders in Gerbillus tarabuli (a new model of non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease). Protective effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone
Abstract
The aim of our study was to reveal the effects of long-term consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) on metabolic dysfunctions and histopathological liver alterations in Gerbillus tarabuli, as well as to assess the preventive effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in the same animals. Contrary to control diet, HCD induces several metabolic disorders including increased adiposity, dyslipidemia, ectopic fat deposition in the liver, associated with higher levels of plasma AST and ALT. These gerbils showed enhanced oxidative stress with liver damages characteristic of steatohepatitis development. By contrast, adding 20E to HCD resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of all changes induced by HCD. In addition, the hepatoprotective effect of 20E was demonstrated by decreased plasma concentrations of AST, ALT and of hepatic malondialdehyde. Our results suggest that G. tarabuli represents a good model to study diet-induced metabolic disorders and hepatic dysfunctions. Moreover, they demonstrate the efficacy of 20E treatment to counteract the damaging effects of HCD.
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In Gerbillus tarabuli on a long-term high-carbohydrate diet, 20E demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect by decreased levels of ALT, AST, and hepatic malondialdehyde in blood plasma.
“In addition, a hepatoprotective effect was demonstrated by decreased levels of ALT, AST, and hepatic malondialdehyde in blood plasma [70].”
From Molecular Targets of 20-Hydroxyecdysone in Mammals, Mechanism of Action: Is It a Calorie Restriction Mimetic and Anti-Aging Compound? (2025) · cites this paper as [70]
In Gerbillus tarabuli on a long-term high-carbohydrate diet, 20E reduced pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner.
“Moreover, 20E reduced the pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner.”
From Molecular Targets of 20-Hydroxyecdysone in Mammals, Mechanism of Action: Is It a Calorie Restriction Mimetic and Anti-Aging Compound? (2025) · cites this paper as [70]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Agoun, H., Semiane, N., Mallek, A., Bellahreche, Z., Hammadi, S., Madjerab, M., Abdlalli, M., Khalkhal, A., & Dahmani, Y.
- Affiliations
- University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (DZ)
- Service of Pathology and Anatomy, CHU Hussein Dey: Ex: Parnet, Algiers, Algeria
- Corresponding author
- Agoun, Hadjer
- Venue
- Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2019-06-13
- Volume
- 127
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 127-135
- ISSN
- 0778-3124 (ISSN-L)
- 1381-3455
- 1744-4160
- OpenAlex
- W2953377598
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3
- FWCI
- 0.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
- Keywords
- high-carbohydrate diet, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 20-hydroxyecdysone, steatohepatitis, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, malondialdehyde, dyslipidemia, adiposity, hepatoprotection, ALT and AST, animal models
- MeSH terms
- Diet, Carbohydrate Loading, Animals, Ecdysterone, Gerbillinae, Male, Metabolic Diseases, Oxidative Stress, Protective Agents, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
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