Indicators of Inflammation in the Fasting Induced Fatty Liver of the American Mink (Neovison vison)
Date
2012-12-14Author
Faculty of Agriculture
Master of Science
Dr. Sandra McConkey
Dr. Dian Patterson
Dr. Lori Parsons, Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe
Dr. Kirsti Rouvinen-Watt
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
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The presence of inflammation in the progression of fatty liver disease induced by fasting was determined in mink. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) liver mRNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR. Mink fasted for 5 and 7 days had significantly higher levels of TNF-? and MCP-1 liver mRNA, compared to mink fasted for 0, 1, and 3 days. Mink fasted for 7 days, but re-fed for 28 days had the lowest mRNA levels of both TNF-?, and MCP-1 demonstrating the liver’s ability to restore homeostasis post-fasting. TNF-? mRNA levels were correlated with MCP-1 liver mRNA and liver fat percent. To confirm the physical presence of inflammation, slides stained with haematoxylin and eosin were analyzed for bile ducts resulting in no significant differences. Results indicate that elevated MCP-1 and TNF-? expression are associated with fasting induced fatty liver in mink.