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Dietary methods to induce NAFLD/NASH in rodents can be split into two common categories:

  • diets fed for longer periods of time to induce obesity, metabolic syndrome, and mild NASH or
  • diets fed for short periods of time to induce hepatic features of severe NASH without inducing obesity or insulin resistance

This page provides further information on dietary methods to induce NAFLD/NASH. We've also prepared a downloadable NASH/NAFLD mini paper .

The tables below highlight diet options from both of the above categories. For more complete descriptions of NAFLD/NASH models see the drop down menus that follow the tables.

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Diet options for inducing obesity, metabolic syndrome and mild NAFLD/NASH

Diet features Western/Fast Food ALIOS FPC diet
Product Code TD.88137 TD.06303 TD.160785 PWD dough
Fat, % Kcal 42 45 52
Fat Sources, % by weight 21% milk fat 22% hydrogenated vegetable oil
1% soybean oil
19% hydrogenated vegetable oil
6% milk fat
4% palmitic acid
Fatty acid profile, % total fat 66% saturated
30% monounsaturated
4% polyunsaturated
23% saturated
31% monounsaturated (cis)
12% polyunsaturated (cis)
34% trans
43% saturated
47% monounsaturated (cis + trans)
10% polyunsaturated (cis + trans)
Sugars, % by weight 34.5% sucrose 22.4% sucrose 34.5% sucrose
Cholesterol, % by weight 0.2 0 1.25
Modifications TD.96121 1.25% cholesterol
TD.120528 Increased sucrose, 1.25% cholesterol
TD.120330 0.2% cholesterol
TD.130885 0.2% cholesterol, 27% sucrose
TD.190142 uses regular casein, available in pellet form

For high fat diet options to induce uncomplicated NAFLD see our Diet Induced Obesity page.

Diet options for inducing more severe hepatic NAFLD/NASH without obesity or metabolic syndrome

Diet features High Fat, Cholesterol & Cholate Methionine/choline deficient (MCD)
Product Code TD.02028 TD.90262
Fat, % Kcal 42 22
Fat Sources, % by weight 21% milk fat 10% corn oil
Fatty acid profile, % total fat 66% saturated
30% monounsaturated
4% polyunsaturated
14% saturated
28% monounsaturated
58% polyunsaturated
Sugars, % by weight 33.3% sucrose 46% sucrose
Cholesterol, % by weight 1.25 0
Cholate Source, % by weight 0.5 0
Related diets TD.09237 15% milk fat, 1% cholesterol
TD.88051 Hybrid version
TD.94149 MCD control diet

    Diets inducing obesity, metabolic syndrome and mild NAFLD/NASH

  • Western and Fast Food diets with milkfat and cholesterol

    Western or fast food style diets fed to induce NASH with metabolic syndrome contain 40 - 45% kcal from milkfat (a fat source high in palmitate) with added cholesterol (0.15 - 2%) and are high in sucrose (>30%). Dietary palmitate and cholesterol have both previously been associated with the progression from simple steatosis to NASH.

    Examples:

     

    Research use:

    These diets can induce obesity, metabolic syndrome, and simple steatosis within nine weeks of feeding. Increased hepatic inflammation has been observed after 12 weeks of feeding. NASH typically requires longer feeding with fibrosis developing within nine months and late stage fibrosis including hepatic ballooning occurring after 14 – 20 months of feeding. Increasing dietary sucrose (~41%) and cholesterol (~1.25%) accelerates the NASH phenotype with steatosis, inflammation and hepatocyte ballooning observed within 12 weeks. In addition to feeding a high fat diet, providing a glucose/fructose mixture in the drinking water may further promote NASH development.

    Select References:

    Charlton, M., et al., Fast food diet mouse: novel small animal model of NASH with ballooning, progressive fibrosis, and high physiological fidelity to the human condition. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2011. 301(5): p. G825-34. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21836057

    Gores, G., Charlton M, Krishnan A, Viker K, Sanderson S, Cazanave S, McConico A, Masuoko H. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2015. 308: p. G159. ajpgi.physiology.org/content/308/2/G159

    Li, Z.Z., et al., Hepatic lipid partitioning and liver damage in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. J Biol Chem, 2009. 284(9): p. 5637-44. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19119140

    Ioannou, G.N., et al., Hepatic cholesterol crystals and crown-like structures distinguish NASH from simple steatosis. J Lipid Res, 2009. 54(5): p. 1326-34. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23417738

    Alkhouri, N., et al., Adipocyte apoptosis, a link between obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. J Biol Chem, 2010. 285(5): p. 3428-38. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19940134 

    Dixon, L.J., et al., Caspase-1 as a central regulator of high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. PLoS One, 2013. 8(2): p. e56100. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23409132 

    DeLeve, L.D., et al., Prevention of hepatic fibrosis in a murine model of metabolic syndrome with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Am J Pathol, 2008. 173(4): p. 993-1001. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18772330 

    VanSaun, M.N., et al., High fat diet induced hepatic steatosis establishes a permissive microenvironment for colorectal metastases and promotes primary dysplasia in a murine model. Am J Pathol, 2009. 175(1): p. 355-64. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19541928 

    Asgharpour, A., et al., A diet-induced animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. J Hepatol, 2016. 65(3): p. 579-88. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261415 

    Tetri, L.H., et al., Severe NAFLD with hepatic necroinflammatory changes in mice fed trans fats and a high-fructose corn syrup equivalent. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2008. 295(5): p. G987-95. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18772365 

    Tsuchida, T., et al., A simple diet-and chemical-induced murine NASH model with rapid progression of steatohepatitis, fibrosis and liver cancer. Journal of hepatology, 2018. 69(2):385-395. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29572095 

  • The ALIOS model: western diet with trans-fat

    The American Lifestyle-Induced Obesity Syndrome (ALIOS) model involves feeding the “American fast food” diet high in trans-fats and sugar. Dietary trans-fats from hydrogenated vegetable shortening (HVO) are associated with increased insulin resistance and hepatic inflammation in rodent NASH models. In addition to diet, a glucose/fructose solution is added to the drinking water and sedentary behavior promoted by removing the overhead cage feeders in this model.

    Examples:

     

    Research use:

    The ALIOS model develops obesity with insulin resistance, elevated ALT levels, and steatosis within 16 weeks. Increased inflammation and early development of fibrosis have been observed at 6 months. Severe steatosis with fibrosis and inflammation develops within 12 months of feeding with 50% of the mice reportedly developing hepatic neoplasms. Adding cholesterol (0.2%) to the American Fast Food diet may accelerate NASH phenotype development.

    Select References:

    Koppe, S.W., et al., Trans fat feeding results in higher serum alanine aminotransferase and increased insulin resistance compared with a standard murine high-fat diet. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2009. 297(2): p. G378-84. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19541924

    Tetri, L.H., et al., Severe NAFLD with hepatic necroinflammatory changes in mice fed trans fats and a high-fructose corn syrup equivalent. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2008. 295(5): p. G987-95. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18772365

    Mells, J.E., et al., Glp-1 analog, liraglutide, ameliorates hepatic steatosis and cardiac hypertrophy in C57BL/6J mice fed a Western diet. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2012. 302(2): p. G225-35. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22038829

    Dowman, J.K, et al., Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a murine model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by use of a high-fat/fructose diet and sedentary lifestyle. Am J Pathol, 2014. 184(5):1550-1561. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24650559

    Mells, J.E., et al., Saturated fat and cholesterol are critical to inducing murine metabolic syndrome with robust nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. J Nutr Biochem, 2014. 26(3): p. 285-92. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25577467

  • FPC diet: fructose, palmitate, cholesterol and trans-fat diet

    The Fructose, Palmitate, Cholesterol and Trans-Fat (FPC) diet is a recent NASH diet that includes Western and ALIOS model diets to achieve both metabolic and hepatic NASH features within an accelerated time frame. Key features of the FPC diet include 1) a lower Met content than typical rodent diets by decreasing total protein without supplementing sulfur amino acids; 2) choline supplementation is lower than typical but is not considered deficient; 3) high in sucrose (~34% by weight); 4) 1.25% cholesterol; 5) 52% kcal from fat with fat sources including milkfat fat, palmitic acid and hydrogenated vegetable shortening to provide trans-fats. Like the ALIOS model, the FPC model also provides a glucose/fructose solution to the drinking water.

    Examples:

    • TD.160785 52 kcal/Fat Diet (C16:0, HVO, AMF, Choline/Met)

     

    Research use:

    Male C57BL/6J mice fed the FPC diet and provided a glucose/fructose drinking solution developed insulin resistance and NAFLD with inflammation, hepatocyte death, and fibrosis within 16 weeks.

    Select References:

    Wang, X., et al., Hepatocyte TAZ/WWTR1 promotes inflammation and fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Cell Metab, 2016. 24(6): p. 848-62. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28068223

    Zhu, C., et al., Hepatocyte Notch activation induces liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Sci Transl Med, 2018. 10(468). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30463916 

  • High fat diets

    Common diets to induce obesity (DIO) can be fed to induce uncomplicated NAFLD. These high fat diets typically contain 40–60% kcal from fat without supplemented cholesterol or cholate. Simple sugars such as sucrose or fructose can also be supplemented via diet or water to progress the fatty liver phenotype. Diets can be in pellet or powder/dough form depending on the formula. Some models require limited physical activity and in those cases diets can be fed inside the cage. For more information see our Diet Induced Obesity page.

    Examples:

     

    Research use:

    In susceptible rodent models, high fat diets are commonly used to induce NAFLD with obesity and insulin resistance common metabolic features associated with NASH in humans. However, the degree of NASH pathology (steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis) is limited or mild and varies depending on the animal model, length of feeding, and dietary components.

  • Diets to induce severe hepatic NAFLD/NASH without obesity or metabolic

  • Atherogenic diets high in fat, cholesterol, and cholate

    Originally formulated to induce mild atherosclerosis in wild-type rodents, high fat diets containing added cholesterol (1 - 1.25%) and cholate (0.5% as sodium cholate or cholic acid) have also been useful in inducing NASH. This diet option includes purified “Western” style diets with increased cholesterol and cholate and also hybrid diets. Hybrid diets were originally developed by Beverly Paigen and colleagues by mixing a natural ingredient mouse diet in a 3:1 ratio with a concentrated purified diet (containing 5% cholesterol and 2% sodium cholate) resulting in a diet containing ~15.8% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, and 0.5% sodium cholate. Although a less refined approach, the hybrid diet is associated with increased gallstone formation and liver damage as compared to similar purified diets.

    Examples:

     

    Research use:

    Atherogenic diets are able to induce varied degrees of NASH with increased hepatic inflammation with early fibrosis observed after ten weeks of feeding. However, the metabolic profile typical in human NASH (obesity with insulin resistance) is not recapitulated in this model with animals typically maintaining similar body weights as control fed groups without the development of metabolic syndrome.

    Select References:

    Nishina, P.M., J. Verstuyft, and B. Paigen, Synthetic low and high fat diets for the study of atherosclerosis in the mouse. J Lipid Res, 1990. 31(5): p. 859-69. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2380634

    Kamari, Y., et al., Lack of interleukin-1alpha or interleukin-1beta inhibits transformation of steatosis to steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. J Hepatol, 2011. 55(5): p. 1086-94. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21354232

    Kim, D.G., et al., Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induces signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in wild-type mice and accelerates pathological signs of AD in an AD model. J Neuroinflammation, 2016. 13: p. 1.
    www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26728181

    Madrigal-Perez, V.M., et al., Preclinical analysis of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usefulness for the simultaneous prevention of steatohepatitis, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia. Int J Clin Exp Med, 2015. 8(12): p. 22477-83. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26885230

    Savransky, V., et al., Chronic intermittent hypoxia causes hepatitis in a mouse model of diet-induced fatty liver. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2007. 293(4): p. G871-7. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17690174 

  • Methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diets

    Methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diets are amino acid defined rodent diets deficient in methionine and choline, high in sucrose (>40% by weight) with ~10% corn oil by weight. Methionine and choline deficiency decreases fat oxidation and export of fat from the liver. Dietary sucrose is necessary for hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidation. The polyunsaturated fat in corn oil promotes hepatic lipid oxidation.

    Example:

     

    Control:

     

    Research use:

    Steatosis, increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), inflammation, and hepatic fat oxidation has been observed within three weeks of feeding the MCD diet with fibrosis development after six weeks. This dietary model does not produce metabolic syndrome (an aspect of NASH in human models) and progressive weight loss (up to 40%) is associated with the MCD diet feeding.

    Select References:

    Pickens, M.K., et al., Dietary sucrose is essential to the development of liver injury in the MCD model of steatohepatitis. J Lipid Res, 2009. 50(10):2072-82. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19295183

    Li, Z.Z., et al., Hepatic lipid partitioning and liver damage in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. J Biol Chem, 2009. 284(9): p. 5637-44. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19119140

    Lee, G.S., et al., Polyunsaturated fat in the methionine-choline-deficient diet influences hepatic inflammation but not hepatocellular injury. J Lipid Res, 2007. 48(8): p. 1885-96. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17526933

    Vetelainen, R., A. van Vliet, and T.M. van Gulik, Essential pathogenic and metabolic differences in steatosis induced by choline or methione-choline deficient diets in a rat model. J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2007. 22(9): p. 1526-33. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17716355

    Leclercq, I.A., et al., Intrahepatic insulin resistance in a murine model of steatohepatitis: effect of PPARgamma agonist pioglitazone. Lab Invest, 2007. 87(1): p. 56-65. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17075577

    Kashireddy, P.R. and M.S. Rao, Sex differences in choline-deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Exp Biol Med (Maywood), 2004. 229(2): p. 158-62. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14734794

    Dixon, L.J., et al., Caspase-1-mediated regulation of fibrogenesis in diet-induced steatohepatitis. Lab Invest, 2012. 92(5): p. 713-23. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22411067

  • Emerging NASH models

    Dietary models of NAFLD/NASH continue to evolve with the goal of more accurately recapitulating both the metabolic and hepatic symptoms of human disease. Commonly researchers are studying the synergistic effects of various NASH dietary features to accelerate progression of the model and severity of liver disease.

    A Teklad nutritionist can work with you to formulate new diets in order to investigate novel dietary models of NAFLD/NASH. Contact a nutritionist at askanutritionist@inotivco.com for a diet consultation.

  • Control diets

    The choice of control diet is dependent on the specific research goal. Many researchers choose to compare their NAFLD/NASH diet-fed animals to animals fed a natural ingredient, grain-based diet (also referred to as standard diet or chow). These diets differ in the source and level of nutrients as well as in the presence of non-nutritive factors (such as phytates or phytoestrogens).

    Depending on what your main comparisons are, it may be suitable to have a grain-based diet as your control/reference group. However, making such comparisons limits inferences to dietary patterns versus a specific dietary component. In some cases, such as those studies feeding amino acid defined diets like the MCD model, a matched control diet is recommended given the very different formulations and protein sources of grain-based diets.

    When making inferences about specific nutrients within the diet an ingredient matched, low fat control diet may be necessary. There are many options with different levels and types of fat in addition to different types of carbohydrate ranging from sucrose (highly refined and digestible) to corn starch (refined, but more complex) to resistant starch (refined, but not fully digestible).

    A very basic purified control diet would be AIN-93M TD.94048 or AIN-93G TD.94045 . AIN-93 diets have a moderate amount of sucrose at ~10% with fat from soybean oil providing a healthy fatty acid profile. Learn more about AIN diet formulas.

    Contact a nutritionist for an additional information and control diet recommendations.

Need more information? A Teklad nutritionist will work with you to determine if existing diets will meet your needs or formulate new diets to help you investigate novel dietary models of NAFLD/NASH. Contact us for a diet consultation.

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