Eicosapentaenoic acid loaded silica nanoemulsion attenuates hepatic inflammation through the enhancement of cell membrane components.

Background: Liver inflammation is a multistep process that is linked with cell membrane fatty acids composition. The effectiveness of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) undergoes an irreversible change during processing due to their unsaturated nature; so the formation of nanocarrier for EPA is crucial for improving EPA's bioavailability and pharmacological properties.

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of EPA alone or loaded silica nanoemulsion on the management of hepatic inflammation induced by diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) through the enhancement of the cell membrane structure and functions.

Methods: The new formula of EPA was prepared to modify the properties of EPA. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were classified into: control, EPA, EPA loaded silica nanoemulsion (EPA-NE), DEN induced hepatic inflammation; DEN induced hepatic inflammation treated with EPA or EPA -NE groups. Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), liver hydroxyproline (Hyp) content, and liver oxidant and anti-oxidants were estimated. Urinary 8- hydroxyguanozine (8- OHdG) and erythrocyte membrane fatty acids fractions were estimated by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, histopathology studies were done to verify our hypothesis.

Results: It was appeared that administration of EPA, in particular EPA loaded silica nanoemulsion, ameliorated the inflammatory response, increased the activity of the anti-oxidants, reduced levels of oxidants, and improved cell membrane structure compared to hepatic inflammation induced by DEN group. Histopathological examination confirmed these results.

Conclusion: EPA and notably EPA loaded silica nanoemulsion strongly recommended as a promising supplement in the management of hepatic inflammation.