Objective:To assess the hepatoprotective effect provided by fresh garlic on fatty liver induced by high-fat diet.Methods:This experimental study was carried out at BMSI, JPMC from October to November 2008. Thirty adult albino rats, 200-240 gram weight, were divided into three groups. Group A received control diet, Group B received high-fat diet (20 mg butter/100 gm diet) and Group C received high-fat diet with fresh garlic (20 mg butter with 6 gm fresh garlic/100 gm diet). The groups were further divided on the basis of duration of treatment, four weeks and eight weeks respectively. The rats were sacrificed, liver removed, weighed and relative liver weight calculated. Hepatic tissue was processed and tissue slides stained with haematoxylin and eosin.Results:There was significant increase in relative liver weight in group B animals as compared to the control animals, which decreased significantly in group C. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections revealed ballooned hepatocytes having vesicular appearance with pyknotic nuclei in high-fat group which were preserved to a great extent in group C animals.Conclusion:This study has shown that use of fresh garlic along with high-fat diet prevents its damaging effects on liver to a great extent.

Objective: To compare the bichemical and morphological effects of L -Arginine against the changes caused by butter and corn oil supplementation Study design: A prospective experimental study Place: Department of Anatomy BMSI, JPMC Duration: August to October 2008. Methodology:Male Albino rats weighing 200 - 240gm were selected and divided into 5 groups. Group ‘CL’ received standard laboratory diet. Group ‘Bu’ received 20% added unsalted butter in diet. Group ‘Co’ received 20% added corn oil in diet. Group ‘BuAr’ received 20% Butter with L-Arginine 300mg /kg body weight /day orally .Group‘CoAr’ received 20%corn oil along with L-Arginine 300mg/kg body weight/day orally. On completion of study period that is 4 weeks, animals were sacrifised. Blood was drawn for hormonal assays. Adrenal glands were removed and fixed in buffered neutral formalin. Right adrenals were processed and sectioned at4 µm thickness to be stained with Mallory trichrome stain to visualize blood vessel. Left adrenalswere sectioned with cryostat in 10µm sections and stained with Oil red O to visualize fat in cells. Results:Highly significant and moderately significant decrease observed in ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone)levels in Group BuArand CoAr when compared to Bu and Co respectively; insignificant difference was found between BuAr&CoAr. Moderately significant and significant decrease observed in corticosterone levels in Group BuAr and CoAr when compared to Buand Co respectively. Insignificant difference was found between BuAr and CoAr . Mallory trichrome stained section showed less dilated blood vessels in BuAr&CoAr compared to Bu & Co respectively, while difference among the former two was not remarkable. Oil red O stained sections showed less densely packed fat globules in group BuAr&CoAr compared to Bu and Co respectively. Difference between BuAr&CoAr was not marked. Conclusion: Butter has more stimulatory effect on adrenal cortical cells but the comparison with corn oil is not statistically significant except for ACTH levels. L Arginine seems to be effective in lowering the levels of stress hormones, fat accumulation and vasodilatation when given along with corn oil and butter oil.