Background: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases and is highly
associated with several components of metabolic syndrome, particularly obesity, increased plasma lipid levels,
glucose intolerance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with insulin resistance (IR) and may progress to
NASH and liver cirrhosis. Objective: investigating the effect and possible underlying mechanisms of
Pitavastatin on the progression of NAFLD in rats fed on high fat high fructose diet. Material and Methods:
forty male albino rats weighing (100-120) grams of local strain were used. Then, induction of NAFLD occurs by
maintaining rats on high fat high fructose diet for 2 months followed by administration of pitavastatin with
different doses. Then serial laboratory investigations including lipid profile, liver enzymes, oxidative stress and
anti-oxidant markers were measured at the end of the experiment. Then, histopathological study of the liver
were done Results: pitavastatin significantly ameliorate increases in serum SGOT, SGPT, lipid profile , hepatic
steatosis, oxidative stress, inflammation , expression of cytokines through significant decrease in TNF- alpha,
CRP, MDA, visceral fat index and also, significant increases in adiponectin and hepatic
GPx.Conclusion:Pitavastatin is a potent novel synthetic inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, which can
ameliorate NAFLD and prevent liver steatosis, fibrosis and possess lowering effects on plasma total cholesterol
and TG through an inhibition of the assembly secretion of VLDL and enhanced cycling of hepatic LDL
receptors. Also, have potent anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effect.