[Rabbit model for the study of human NASH].

Although non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has become a worldwide common disease, pathogenesis of this disease remains unsolved. Establishment of a proper animal model is one of urgent issues to analyze the molecular mechanisms. We have developed a NASH model by using Japanese White rabbits fed by high fat diet. These rabbits exhibited prominent fatty change in the liver and the increased serum and hepatic levels of lipid peroxide. Pericellular matrix deposition was seen around hepatocytes and fibrosis radically extended from portal area. Many TUNEL-positive cells were seen in the liver of high fat rabbits. We discuss the usefulness of this model for the molecular analysis of human