Effects of Aronia melanocarpa-Based Fruit Juices on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Rats

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In the manuscript “Effects of Aronia melanocarpa-based fruit juices on metabolic 2 dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in rats”, authors studied the beneficial effects of four Aronia melanocarpa-based fruit juices (AMBFJs) in HFHF-fed rats. I would suggest the authors to respond to the following comments for considering further.

1. Please correct the abbreviation which you used for anonia melanocarp-based fruit extract as AMBFJs or AMFJs in the introduction section.
2. Is there any previous reference for preparation of AMRC and AMAV? Provide reference it in the revised manuscript.
3. In page 4, how did you select dose concentration for AMBFs as 10mL/Kg body weight? Require clarification for the dosage with reference.
4. did HFHF diet procure commercially or prepared by the authors? Provide full composition with energy value as a tabular form in the revised manuscript.
5. I would like to know why there was no significant changes in the body weight between HFHF- and control-diet fed rats.
6. In Figure 5, the provided microscopic images with different size. I suggest the authors to provide all the images in same size with scale bar.
7. Why did the authors provide few images were duplicates for HFHF, HFHF+AM20, HFHF+AM60, but single image for rest of the group? Please provide duplicate images for all the groups in Figure 5. Also, I would suggest the authors combine Figure 5 and 6 in to one Figure to understand the scoring better.
8. Please provide scale bar for all the images in Figure 7 A to F. Similarly, combine Figure 7 and 8 in to one figure.
9. How about other parameters of liver enzyme such as Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferases (GGT).
10. In page 13, line 398-416 look like results, It should be discussion of results with appropriate references. This needs to be corrected in the revised manuscript.
11. Similarly, in page 14, line 476 to 482 requires discussion with appropriate references.
12. I would like to suggest the authors to consider of studying the effect of AMBFJs in gene expression by real-time PCR or protein level activity by western blots.
13. There are few typographical errors in the manuscript. As general comment, please check any typographical errors and general English grammar throughout the manuscript.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a very good basic science study and has important implications in the current era as metabolic dysfunction associated liver disease is quite prevalent and it continues to be on the rise.  The study design assigned typically sounds and the topic itself is very clearly defined as well in the tidal.  The abstract captures the overall manuscript in a concise form.  The protocol used to conduct the study is defined in great detail.  The parameters measured also documented clearly.  The visuals include not only graphs and tables but also histopathology images.  The references utilized are relevant to this study and most are recent in many from well known sources.  The findings are discussed in great length as well as the methods used for analysis in the study.  Mentioning the stents and limitations of the study separately would be beneficial. 

Overall I do not have any major concerns with the study in terms of revisions.  I have only recommended strengths and limitations of the study be added potentially.  The ithenticate score was slightly high though it was because of reference number 1 being used more frequently.  Other than that, this study is variable as it is conducted especially so on a topic that is of high interest currently.  Evaluation of the fruit extract and their effect on the liver as well as metabolic profile is quite interesting.  The study itself is conducted in the scientifically sound manner with the protocol as well as statistical methods outlined clearly.  This study as easy to follow and the use of visuals further augments the study including especially the histopathology images.  Though not an extended manuscript, the authors have communicated the findings and results effectively and used relevant references to support their findings.  There are no issues with the grammar that I found or the language.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would like to appreciate the authors efforts for incorporating all the necessary changes in the revised manuscript and resubmitted for the revision.