Cytokeratin-18 as a Signal for Early Liver Cell Changes in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is primarily caused by obesity, defined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Non-invasive diagnosis and grading of NAFLD are crucial. Cytokeratin-
NAFLD is primarily caused by obesity, defined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Non-invasive diagnosis and grading of NAFLD are crucial. Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) is a marker of liver cell death and steatohepatitis, but its relationship with obesity remains unclear. This study evaluated metabolic parameters, CK-18 levels, and liver histopathology in rats fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks. The rats were divided into two groups: one receiving a normal-fat diet and the other a high-fat diet. Body weights, metabolic-liver parameters, and CK-18 levels were assessed at the end of the study. The liver histopathological changes and NAFLD activity score were examined. The results showed that rats fed the high-fat diet had increased final body weight and CK-18 levels compared to those on the normal-fat diet. The liver histopathological changes, including steatosis, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis, were also observed in the high-fat diet group. The NAFLD activity score was higher in the high-fat diet group than in the normal-fat diet group. These findings suggest that CK-18 may be a useful biomarker for early detection of liver cell changes in high-fat diet-induced obesity.