Objective  To investigate the effects of iron overload and high fat diet on the level of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin 1 (FPN1) mRNA expressions in duodenum of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

  Methods  High fat and high iron diet were used to construct NAFLD model in rats. Serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (Glu), and insulin (INS) of the experimental rats were detected and the index of homeostatic measurement assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Pathological changes in livers were observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression levels of DMT1 and FPN1 mRNA in the duodenums were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

  Results  Serum TG level of the rats with high fat and high-dose iron supplement was 0.61 ± 0.07 and significantly higher than that of the control rats (P < 0.05). Serum insulin and HOMA-IR index of the rats with high fat and high-dose iron supplement were 27.73 ± 8.29 mIU/L and 6.06 ± 1.88, and both higher than those of the control rats and the rats only with high fat diet (P < 0.05 for all). The hepatic steatosis of the rats with high fat and high-dose iron supplement was more serious than that of the rats only with high fat. Duodenal DMT1mRNA and FPN1mRNA expressions in the rats with high fat and high-dose iron supplement were 0.81 ± 0.03 and 0.69 ± 0.11, and both significantly lower than those of the control rats (both P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  High fat and high iron diet could induce insulin resistance, aggravate hepatic steatosis, and decrease the negative feedback regulation of duodenum iron absorption in rats with NAFLD.