ABSTRACT
We have recently found that deletion of Fatty Acid-Binding Protein-4 and -5 (FABP4/5) resulted in a marked perturbation of metabolism in response to fasting, including fatty liver. The purpose of our study was to investigate liver function in FABP4/5 null mice (DKO mice) with fatty liver after prolonged fasting. Wild-Type (WT) and DKO mice were fed and fasted 24 hours and 48 hours. Liver was collected and preserved for Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and Masson’s Trichrome (MT) staining. To analyze liver function, serum was collected to determine Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) levels. After 48 hours of fasting, there was no increase in fibrosis in the liver of DKO mice. The serum level of AST was lower in DKO mice while that of ALT was comparable after 48 hours of fasting, suggesting that liver damage in DKO mice was modest. In conclusion, the study shows that massive lipid accumulation in fasted DKO mice is not accompanied by liver function deterioration.
Keywords: FABP4, FABP5, fasting, liver function, fatty liver
