Fig. 2

Effects of dietary copper-fructose interaction on plasma ALT, AST, liver histology, and fat accumulation. a Plasma ALT and AST. b Representative photos of liver histology using H&E staining. c Hepatic triglyceride. CuAF female rats had macrosteatosis (arrows) around the portal area. Microsteatosis (arrowheads) was observed in female CuMF rats as well as in some male rats as indicated. Data represent means ± SD (n = 7–8). Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. P values displayed are for the factors copper (Cu), fructose (F), and interaction (Cu × F) using two-way ANOVA followed with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. A, adequate copper diet; AF, adequate copper diet +10% fructose (w/v) in the drinking water; M, marginal copper diet; MF, marginal copper diet +10% fructose (w/v) in the drinking water