<b>Effect of Asian Diet on Metabolic Parameters, Gut Microbiota Profile, and Liver Histology: Study on The NASH Rat Model</b>

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a widespread condition posing significant mortality risks from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Asia, particularly in rural areas adhering to Asian diets (AD), there's a rising incidence of NAFLD. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AD and the occurrence of Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in Rats (Rattus norvegicus strain Wistar) by measuring metabolic parameters, gut microbiota profile, and liver histology. Experimental research was conducted with fourteen male rats, which were divided into two groups: Chow Diet (CD, n=7) and AD (n=7) for 12 weeks. Liver enzymes, blood sugar, and lipid profiles were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis of the gut microbiota was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 variables region. Liver histology was obtained by biopsy and stained with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE). Furthermore, it was interpreted using NAS (NAFLD Activity Score). AD-treated rats displayed lower body weight than CD (p = 0.001). We found a significantly higher number of <i>Lactobacillus reuteri</i>, <i>Romboutsia ilealis,</i><i> </i>and<i>Prevotellaceae bacterium</i> in AD than in CD (p= 0.00058; p= 0.026; p= 0.026), likewise the genus Lactobacillus (p= 0.004), phylum Bacteroidota and Firmicutes (p= 0.001; p= 0.0005). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was higher in AD than in CD (p = 0.003). However, both groups did not have a significant difference in total bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood sugar, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (p = 0.069; p = 0.098; p = 0.773; p = 0.538; p = 0.640; p = 0.475; p = 0.104; p = 0.775). The NAS between the two groups indicated non-NAFLD rats. Despite the high-calorie type of Asian diet, it did not produce significant changes in metabolic parameters and liver histology to NASH. This may be influenced by the gut microbiota protective effect.