Effect of grapefruit juice on CYP2E1 gene expression in obese and control rats

Background and Aims: The CYP2E1 gene encodes cytochrome P450 enzymes that play an essential role in liver fat metabolism. Additionally, grapefruit reduces plasma lipids in the body. Therefore, herbal medicines can be considered as an important treatment strategy. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of grapefruit juice on CYP2E1 gene expression in obese and control rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 24 male Wistar rats weighing 180±20 g. Rats were divided into four groups: control (no treatment), high-fat diet group, treatment group 1 (high cholesterol diet with grapefruit juice 4 ml/kg), and treatment group 2 (high-fat diet with grapefruit juice) (8 ml/kg). They also gavaged for 6 weeks and CYP2E1 gene expression was finally determined. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS software (version 22). Results: The results of CYP2E1 gene expression indicated that grapefruit juice at a dose of 8 ml/kg can further reduce the expression of CYP2E1 gene in rats with fatty liver (1.09 ±0.038) than the dose of 4 ml/kg (1.27 ±0.24). This reduction in expression was statistically significant compared to that of the high-fat diet group (3.61 ±0.25) (P=0.003). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that grapefruit juice reduces the expression of the CYP2E1 gene in obese rats due to naringin and recovers the disease by reducing the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver. Therefore, grapefruit juice can be considered as a therapeutic target in fatty liver disease and obesity.