Abstract: AIM: To explore the effects of seal oil on the correlation between hepatocyte cytochrome P450 2E1 expression and oxidation, antioxidation in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver.METHODS: After 7 weeks the fatty liver models were induced by onetime subcutaneous injecting a low dose of carbon tetrachloride on the first day and chronically feeding with high fat diet in rats.The rats in the model group, simvastatin group and different doses seal oil group were taken by olive oil in the same volume of seal oil, 4 mg·kg^-1 simvastatin, and 0.5,1.6 and 4.8g·kg^-1 seal oil respectively once a day for 8 weeks.Changes on pathology of liver and expression of hepatocyte cytochrome P450 2E1 were observed.MDA, SOD and FFA in the liver and serum were measured by biochemical analysis.RESULTS: Compared with model group, the fatty degeneration of liver reduced and a smaller lipid droplet of liver in seal oil group.The hepatocyte cytochrome P450 2E1 expression was inhibited.Meanwhile contents of MDA and FFA were significantly decreased but SOD contents were significantly increased in serum and liver.The intensity and distribution of CYP 2E1 express between rats of model differed.These differences existed in simvastatin group and different doses seal oil group.CONCLUSION: Seal oil can inhibit the hepatocyte cytochrome P450 2E1 expression in rats with fatty liver and reduce lipid peroxidation.There is genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2E1 between rats.

Key words: seal oil, fatty liver, cytochrome P450, immunohistochemistry, lipid superoxidation