A Comparative Study on the Effect of Melatonin and Orlistat Combination vs. Orlistat Alone on High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Changes in the Adult Male Albino Rats (A Histological and Morphometric Study)

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent cause of chronic liver disease, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis (HS), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Orlistat is a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long term management of weight loss, although it was linked to few cases of severe liver injury. Melatonin is one of the most potent antioxidants; it also regulates metabolic processes that lead to obesity and accumulation of fat. Aim of the Work to compare the effect of orlistat, melatonin, and their combination on the structural changes of the hepatic tissue of adult male albino rats fed with high fat diet (HFD). Material and Methods Thirty adult male albino rats divided into five groups. First group (6 rats) served as (control), second group (6 rats) served as (HFD), third group (6 rats) served as (orlistat-treated), fourth group (6 rats) served as (melatonin-treated), fifth group (6 rats) served as (orlistat and melatonin-treated). Hx&E sections were obtained. Morphometric study and statistical analysis were done. Results Tissues from the HFD group showed steatosis, ballooning, and inflammation and all these parameters were moderately improved-except for inflammation which was worsened with orlistat therapy- with both orlistat-treated and melatonin-treated groups. Combined orlistat and melatonin-treated group showed marked improvement of all these parameters as well as marked improvement in the hepatic fibrosis. Conclusion Orlistat when combined with melatonin is both safe and effective in comparison to orlistat therapy alone in treatment of obesity induced hepatic changes.