# Non-Celiac Wheat Gluten Sensitivity Model: Effects on Hepatic Morphophysiology of Wistar Rats

## TL;DR

This study shows that high wheat gluten intake in rats leads to liver changes and increased oxidative stress, even without celiac disease.

## Contribution

The study introduces a non-celiac wheat gluten sensitivity model and demonstrates its impact on liver physiology in rats.

## Key findings

- High gluten diets increased final body mass and reduced liver mass in rats.
- Gluten consumption altered hepatic oxidative status and tissue morphology.
- Cholesterol, triglycerides, and myeloperoxidase activity varied significantly across gluten levels.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Wheat gluten intolerance increases intestinal permeability, triggering inflammation that may directly affect liver function and compromise metabolic health. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 50) aged 21 days were divided into five groups (n = 10) based on dietary gluten levels over 100 days: G0 (0%), G14 (14%), G42 (42%), G70 (70%), and G70/0 (70% for the first 70 days, then 0% until euthanasia). At 121 days, the animals were weighed and euthanized, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses. Adipose tissue deposits and the liver were excised and weighed. Liver lobes were isolated and fixed for morphological and morphometric analysis of hepatocytes, tissue glycogen percentage, and intracellular lipid assessment. Results: The hepatic oxidative status was evaluated. The ingestion of diets with excess gluten (70%) increased final body mass and reduced liver mass, though it did not alter the adiposity index. Cholesterol, triglycerides, and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity exhibited distinct patterns across all groups. Conclusions: Elevated gluten levels increased oxidative stress and altered tissue hepatic morphology and morphometry.