The Phytochemical Composition and Effects of Crude Beetroot Extract on the Progression of Induced Metabolic Dysfunction–associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its related comorbidities has been on the rise. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves an imbalance in hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism, translocation of gut bacterial particles, activation of hepatic sinusoidal and stellate cells, induction of oxidative stress and activation of a hepatic inflammatory response. This culminates in liver steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and deregulated angiogenesis. When inadequately managed, MASLD culminates in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Conventional therapies for MASLD are limited by their side effect profiles and the number of pathogenic points they target. Beetroot extract on the contrary, has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-glycaemic and lipid lowering properties. Its potential to abate the progression of MASLD however remains under-investigated. Objective: To determine the effect of fresh beetroot extract on progression of induced MASLD in albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). Study Design: Quasi Experimental Study Design Materials and Methods: Ethical approval was granted by the Biosafety, Animal Use and Ethics Committee, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi. The 45 rats used for the current study were divided into 3 groups: Group A (20) rats fed on a high fat high fructose (HFHF) diet; Group B (20) rats fed on a HFHF + fresh beetroot extract (HFHF + BR group) while group C (5) rats were the controls fed on standard rat chows and drinking water ad libitum. Body weights of the study animals were assessed weekly while the fasting blood sugar (FBS) was done fortnightly. Five animals from groups A and B were euthanized at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 post-treatment prior to which whole blood was drawn from the left ventricle for platelet counts and the serum separated for biochemical analysis of lipid profile, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)...