Investigation of the Effects of Ghrelin and Kisspeptin Levels in Liver Tissue of Rats Fed with High Fructose Diet -A Histological Study

Purpose: High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used commonly in the food industry and has been associated with various diseases including obesity, diabetes and fatty liver. Ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone with widespread receptors in many tissues, exerts various central and peripheral effects. Food intake may reduce its synthesis. Kisspeptin plays a major role in reproductive hormones and its receptors are expressed in tissues with high metabolic activity, such as the liver. This study aims to investigate the effects of HFCS consumption on liver tissue and its relationship with Kisspeptin and Ghrelin levels. Materials and Methods: Fourteen adult male Wistar albino rats, aged eight to ten weeks, were used in this study and divided into two groups; Control and HFCS (n=7). Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Ghrelin, and Kisspeptin levels in the liver tissues of the rats were measured using an immunohistochemical method and subsequently analyzed through histoscoring. Results: Our data revealed a significant increase in Kisspeptin, Caspase 3, and TNF-α levels and a decrease in Ghrelin levels in the HFCS group compared to the Control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study demonstrates, for the first time, changes in liver Kisspeptin levels induced by a high fructose diet. Furthermore, the consumption of HFCS in food led to inflammatory activation, tissue damage, and reduced Ghrelin levels.