OBJECTIVETo establish an in vitro cell model for investigating hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

METHODSL-02 cells cultured in 1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum were divided into control group and model group. At 70%-80% confluency, L-02 cells in the model group were exposed to a long-chain mixture of free fatty acids (FFA, oleate and palmitate ) for 24 h, and cells in control group were treated with fresh medium. Lipid droplets in the cells were observed and total lipid content was determined with Oil Red O staining. The morphology of lipid droplets, trilyceride level, malonaldehyde content and cell apoptosis rate were evaluated to verify the cell model, and the effect of Huganqingzhi tablet on the lipid droplets was observed.

RESULTSA large number of lipid droplets were found in the cell model, which showed markedly increased level of triglyceride without significant changes of malonadehyde content or cell apoptosis rate. Intervention with two doses of Huganqingzhi tablet significantly decreased the number of lipid droplets and trilyceride content in the cell model.

CONCLUSIONhepatic steatosis L-02 cell model can be established by long-chain mixture of free fatty acids (oleate:spalmitate=2:1) for therapeutic drug studies.