Abstract

Background: Obesity is an important risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which varies from hepatic steatosis to liver cirrhosis. Interventions in weight and metabolic control are important in reducing steatosis risk.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of celecoxib in hepatic triacylglycerol deposition in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease exploring the signaling involved in obese mice lipogenesis.

Methods: Males FVB/N mice were allocated into three groups and were fed with experimental diets: standard, a high-fat diet or a high-fat diet along with Cox-2 inhibitor treatment (Celecoxib; 100mg/kg of body weight). The body weight, food intake, blood parameters and liver histology were analyzed. Expression of liver lipogenesis-related genes (ACC, PPAR-γ, FAS, SREBP-1c) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results: The main findings showed that celecoxib treatment resulted in body weight loss in obese animals, reduced food consumption and decreased triglycerides. ACC, FAS and SREBP1-c mRNA expression was significantly suppressed in HFD+ICOX-2 fed mice.

Conclusion: Celecoxib improved lipid metabolism and decreased fat deposition in the liver of obese mice by reducing lipogenesis, which may be a promising therapeutic target for liver disorders, obesity and its comorbidities.

Keywords: Celecoxib, cyclooxygenase-2, enzyme inhibitor, fatty liver, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, obesity.

Graphical Abstract