Effects of azilsartan, aliskiren or their combination on high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic liver disease model in rats

Introduction: In addition to their role in regulation of blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components were expressed in many other tissues, suggesting potential roles in their functions. Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the protective effect of aliskiren, when used alone or in combination with azilsartan, against high-fat diet-induced liver disease in rats. Material and methods: Thirty-two Wistar male rats, weighing 150–200 g, were allocated evenly into four groups and treated as follows: In group I, rats were fed a specially formulated high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce non-alcoholic liver disease and considered the control group; in groups II, III and IV, the rats were administered azilsartan (0.5 mg/kg), aliskiren (25 mg/kg), or their combination orally via gavage tube once daily and maintained on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The possible treatment outcome was evaluated by measuring serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, TNF-α, IL-1β and liver enzymes. Additionally, the liver tissue contents of glycogen and lipids and histological changes were also evaluated. Result: The results showed that azilsartan significantly improves the studied markers more than aliskiren, and their combination has no additive or synergistic effects on the activity of each one of them. Conclusion: Both azilsartan and aliskiren protect the rats against high-fat diet induced NAFLD, with predominant effects for the former, and their combination showed no beneficial synergistic or additive effects.