Combination of metformin and genistein alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat diet-fed mice

Examining the Pathogenesis of MAFLD and the Medicinal Properties of Natural Products from a Metabolic Perspective

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), characterized primarily by hepatic steatosis, has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately two-fifths of the global population. The pathogenesis of MAFLD is extremely complex, and to date, there are no approved therapeutic drugs for clinical use. Considerable evidence indicates that various metabolic disorders play a pivotal role in the progression of MAFLD, including lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and micronutrients. In recent years, the medicinal properties of natural products have attracted widespread attention, and numerous studies have reported their efficacy in ameliorating metabolic disorders and subsequently alleviating MAFLD. This review aims to summarize the metabolic-associated pathological mechanisms of MAFLD, as well as the natural products that regulate metabolic pathways to alleviate MAFLD.

Phosphorylation: new star of pathogenesis and treatment in steatotic liver disease

Steatotic liver disease poses a serious threat to human health and has emerged as one of the most significant burdens of chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, the research mechanism is not clear, and there is no specific targeted drug for direct treatment. Phosphorylation is widely regarded as the most common type of protein modification, closely linked to steatotic liver disease in previous studies. However, there is no systematic review to clarify the relationship and investigate from the perspective of phosphorylation. Phosphorylation has been found to mainly regulate molecule stability, affect localization, transform molecular function, and cooperate with other protein modifications. Among them, adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) are considered the core mechanisms in steatotic liver disease. As to treatment, lifestyle changes, prescription drugs, and herbal ingredients can alleviate symptoms by influencing phosphorylation. It demonstrates the significant role of phosphorylation as a mechanism occurrence and a therapeutic target in steatotic liver disease, which could be a new star for future exploration.

Combination therapy of metformin and morin attenuates insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle of high-fat diet-fed mice

Lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress are the most important causes of muscle insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the single and combined treatment effects of metformin (MET) and morin (MOR) on lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle of mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were supplemented with MET (230 mg/kg diet), MOR (100 mg/kg diet), and MET + MOR for 9 weeks. Our results revealed that single treatment with MET or MOR, and with a stronger effect of MET + MOR combined treatment, reduced body weight gain, improved glucose intolerance and enhanced Akt phosphorylation in the muscle tissue. In addition, plasma and muscle triglyceride levels were decreased after treatment with MET and MOR. The expression of genes involved in macrophage infiltration and polarization and pro-inflammatory cytokines showed that MET + MOR combined treatment, significantly reduced inflammation in the muscle. Furthermore, combined treatment of MET + MOR with greater efficacy than the single treatment improved several oxidative stress markers in the muscle. Importantly, combined treatment of MET and MOR could increase the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, the master regulator of the antioxidant response. These findings suggest that combination of MET with MOR might ameliorate insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle of mice fed high-fat diet.

JianPi-QingHua formula attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB pathway in high-fat-diet-fed C57BL/6 mice

CONTEXT

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease, accompanied by liver lipid accumulation and inflammation. JianPi-QingHua formula (JPQH), a Chinese herbal formula, exhibits effects on obesity and T2DM. However, the hepatoprotective effect of JPQH has not been elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of JPQH in NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups and fed a normal-fat diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + JPQH (2.5 g/kg), or HFD + metformin (300 mg/kg) for 6 weeks, respectively. Furthermore, the body weight, epididymal fat mass, blood glucose, and liver weight were measured. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were performed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining were observed in hepatic histopathological changes. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were utilized to assess the key protein expression of hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammation.

RESULTS

Compared with the HFD group, JPQH could reduce body weight, epididymal fat mass, blood glucose and liver weight (p < 0.05), and markedly decreased the levels of serum TC, TG, ALT, AST (p < 0.05). Additionally, JPQH improved liver pathological changes. Consistent with the hepatic histological analysis, JPQH intervention suppressed lipid accumulation and inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, JPQH boosted SIRT1/AMPK signalling, and attenuated NF-κB pathway, which suppressed inflammatory responses.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that JPQH supplementation protected against HFD-induced NAFLD by regulating SIRT1/AMPK/NF-κB pathway, which provides a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of patients with NAFLD.

Hydroxytyrosol attenuates ethanol-induced liver injury by ameliorating steatosis, oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation by interfering STAT3/iNOS pathway

Objective: Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a polyphenol with a wide range of biological activities. Excessive drinking can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, which usually develop into alcohol liver disease (ALD). At present, there is no specific drug to treat ALD. In this paper, the protection effect of HT on ALD and the underline mechanism were studied.Methods: HepG2 cells were exposed to ethanol in vitro and C57BL/6J mice were fed with a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet in vivo.Results: triglyceride (TG) level in serum and the expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) were reduced significantly by the treatment with HT The acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was increased, the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased, catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) were increased, suggesting that HT may reduce its oxidative damage to the body by promoting alcohol metabolism. Furthermore, according to the mRNA levels of tnf-α, il-6 and il-1β, HT inhibited ethanol-induced inflammation significantly. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of HT may be related to suppress the STAT3/iNOS pathway.Dissussion: Our study showed that HT could ameliorate ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress and inflammation and provide a new candidate for the prevention and treatment of ALD.

Protective effect of phytoestrogens on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive metabolic disease characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis that seriously endangers global public health. Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women has significantly increased. Studies have shown that estrogen deficiency is the main reason for this situation, and supplementing estrogen has become a new direction for preventing the occurrence of postmenopausal fatty liver. However, although classical estrogen replacement therapy can reduce the incidence of postmenopausal NAFLD, it has the risk of increasing stroke and cardiovascular diseases, so it is not suitable for the treatment of postmenopausal NAFLD. More and more recent studies have provided evidence that phytoestrogens are a promising method for the treatment of postmenopausal NAFLD. However, the mechanism of phytoestrogens in preventing and treating postmenopausal NAFLD is still unclear. This paper summarizes the clinical and basic research evidence of phytoestrogens and reviews the potential therapeutic effects of phytoestrogens in postmenopausal NAFLD from six angles: enhancing lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue, enhancing glucose metabolism, reducing oxidative stress, reducing the inflammatory response, regulating intestinal flora, and blocking liver fibrosis (Graphical Abstract).

Combination of Pioglitazone and Metformin Actions on Liver Lipid Metabolism in Obese Mice

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing prevalence rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide, efficient pharmacotherapeutic regimens against NAFLD still need to be explored. Previous studies found that pioglitazone and metformin therapy could partly ameliorate NAFLD, but their combination therapy effects have not been researched. In the present study, we assessed the protective effects of metformin and pioglitazone combination therapy on liver lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and investigated the molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: normal control; HFD control; metformin monotherapy; pioglitazone monotherapy and combined therapy. After 8 weeks of pharmacological intervention, glucose and lipid metabolism characteristics, hepatic histology, lipidomics profiling and RNA-seq analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The combination of pioglitazone and metformin significantly ameliorated HFD-induced metabolic disturbance and the hepatic oil red O area. A lipidomics analysis showed that combined therapy could significantly reduce the high levels of free fatty acids (FFA), diacylglycerol and triglycerides, while a set of glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids were increased in the combined therapy group. Consistently, an RNA-seq analysis also showed a remarkable reduction in genes associated with FFA uptake and de novo lipogenesis, including Cd36, Fads1, Fads2, Fasn, Scd1, Elovl5 and Pklr in the combined therapy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pioglitazone and metformin might have a synergistic protective effect on NAFLD by improving hepatic lipid profiles in HFD-induced mice. Further studies are needed to verify the clinical effects.

Associations between dietary flavonoid intake with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis quantified by VCTE: Evidence from NHANES and FNDDS

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Flavonoids are natural products of plant origin and have been shown to be beneficial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in animal studies. However, relevant epidemiological evidence is still lacking, and the relationship between flavonoid and subclass intake with quantified hepatic steatosis and fibrosis has not been investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was based on the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) expanded flavonoid intake database and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 and included a total of 4113 participants with vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) data. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess linear relationships between flavonoids and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Smoothed curve fit and a generalized additive model were used to investigate the non-linear relationship, and a two-tailed linear regression model was used to find potential inflection points. Of the 4113 participants, 1045 (25.41%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. After adjusting for energy and major non-dietary covariates, significant linear negative correlations were observed between total flavonoids and CAP [-1.53 (-2.59, -0.47)] and LSM [-0.17 (-0.27, -0.07)]. After adjusting for all covariates, flavones had the strongest and most significant negative association with hepatic steatosis [-1.98 (-3.79, -0.17)]. The results of smooth curve fitting and subgroup analysis demonstrated gender differences, and threshold effect analysis further identified a U-shaped relationship and inflection point between flavonoid intake and hepatic steatosis (infection point: 287.25 mg/d).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest negative associations between flavonoid and subclass intake with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.

Combination Therapy of Metformin and p-Coumaric Acid Mitigates Metabolic Dysfunction Associated with Obesity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High-Fat Diet Obese C57BL/6 Mice

Metformin (MET) has been demonstrated to have favorable impact on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the combined effect of this drug with p-coumaric acid (PCA) on liver steatosis is unclear. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the combined effects of MET and PCA on NAFLD in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mouse model. The obese mice received MET (230 mg/kg), PCA (200 mg/kg) monotherapies, and MET combination with PCA in the diet for 10 weeks. Our results showed that the combination of MET and PCA markedly ameliorated weight gain and fat deposition in HFD fed mice. Furthermore, the combination of MET and PCA lowered liver triglyceride (TG) content which was accompanied by decreased expression of lipogenic and increased expression of β-oxidation related genes and proteins. In addition, combination therapy of MET and PCA mitigated liver inflammation through inhibiting hepatic macrophage infiltration (F4/80), switching macrophage from M1 into M2 phenotype, and ameliorating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity in comparison with the monotherapy of MET or PCA. Furthermore, we found that MET and PCA combination therapy upregulated thermogenesis-related genes in BAT and sWAT. Combination therapy results in stimulating brown-like adipocyte (beige) formation in the sWAT of HFD mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that MET combined with PCA can improve NAFLD through decreasing lipid accumulation, inhibiting inflammation and inducing thermogenesis, and adipose tissue browning.

The combination of metformin with morin alleviates hepatic steatosis via modulating hepatic lipid metabolism, hepatic inflammation, brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and white adipose tissue browning in high-fat diet-fed mice

AIM

The valuable effects of metformin (MET) and morin (MOR) in the improvement of NAFLD have been proposed, nevertheless, their combination impacts were not investigated so far. We determined the therapeutic effects of combined MET and MOR treatment in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were fed on an HFD for 15 weeks. Animals were allotted into various groups and supplemented with MET (230 mg/kg), MOR (100 mg/kg), and MET + MOR (230 mg/kg + 100 mg/kg).

KEY FINDINGS

MET in combination with MOR reduced body and liver weight in HFD-fed mice. A significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and improvement in glucose tolerance was observed in HFD mice treated with MET + MOR. Supplementation with MET + MOR led to a decline in hepatic triglyceride levels and this impact was associated with diminished expression of fatty-acid synthase (FAS) and elevated expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and phospho-Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (p-ACC). Moreover, MET combined with MOR alleviates hepatic inflammation through the polarization of macrophages to the M2 phenotype, decreasing the infiltration of macrophages and lowering the protein level of NF-kB. MET and MOR in combination reduce the size and weight of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and subcutaneous WAT (sWAT), whereas improves cold tolerance, BAT activity, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Combination therapy results in stimulating brown-like adipocyte (beige) formation in the sWAT of HFD mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that the combination of MET and MOR has a protective effect on hepatic steatosis, which may use as a candidate therapeutic for the improvement of NAFLD.

Effects of Genistein on Lipid Metabolism, Antioxidant Activity, and Immunity of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Fed with High-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diets

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of genistein on growth, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of common carp fed with high-carbohydrate or high-fat diets. Five diets were used to feed fish: control diet (5% fat; CO), high-fat diet (11% fat; HF), high-carbohydrate diet (45% carbohydrate; HC), and HF or HC diet with 500 mg/kg genistein (FG or CG). Results showed that final body weight (FW) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly reduced, but the supplementation with genistein resulted in higher values of FW and SGR than the HF or HC group. Both high carbohydrate and high fat belong to high-energy diets, which may promote lipid deposition. Genistein obviously decreased liver triglyceride (TG) content and alleviated hepatic fat vacuolation in the HF and HC groups. The expression of lipid metabolism genes (cpt-1 and atgl) was markedly higher in the FG group than in the HF group. The lipid synthesis-related genes (fas, acc, and pparγ) were elevated in high-energy diets but recovered to the control level or reduced after genistein treatments. With respect to fatty acid transporter genes, fatp increased in the FG group, and cd36 increased in the CG group. Furthermore, the antioxidant and immune indexes, such as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM) activities, were decreased, while malonate aldehyde (MDA) content, activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were enhanced in the HF and HC groups. The antioxidant and immunity values could be ameliorated by treatment with genistein. Moreover, the transcript levels of antioxidant-related genes (cat, gr, and nrf2) in the liver and anti-inflammatory factors (tgf-β and il-10) and lyz in the head kidney tissue were promoted, although the expression levels of proinflammatory factors (tnf-α and il-6) declined in the genistein supplementation group, which confirmed the antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects of genistein. Therefore, 500 mg/kg genistein could ameliorate the negative effects of high-energy diets on immunity.

Metformin-chlorogenic acid combination reduces skeletal muscle inflammation in c57BL/6 mice on high-fat diets

BACKGROUND

Inflammation at the low-grade level has been found to contribute to obesity-induced insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle (SM). This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of metformin (MET) combined with chlorogenic acid (CGA) in SM of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups of ten each, normal diet, HFD, HFD + MET, HFD + CGA and HFD + MET + CGA.

RESULTS

The results revealed that MET and CGA, alone or in combination, have a reducing effect on weight gain, plasma triglyceride, glucose and insulin levels. MET in combination with CGA led to attenuation of SM inflammation, an effect that was associated with decreasing macrophages infiltration rate. Combined treatment of MET and CGA also resulted in switching macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotype, presented by the higher expression levels of arginase and CD206 (M2 markers) and lower expression levels of iNOS and cd11c markers (M1). In addition, combination treatment was more effective in increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines expression (IL-10) and decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-6).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the combination treatment of MET and CGA is likely to be a promising approach to control SM inflammation in the HFD-fed model.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in chronic liver diseases: Molecular mechanisms and therapy

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a continuous process that causes a reduction of liver function lasting more than six months. CLD includes alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic viral infection, and autoimmune hepatitis, which can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Liver inflammation and oxidative stress are commonly associated with the development and progression of CLD. Molecular signaling pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), C-Jun N-terminal kinase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of CLD. Therefore, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents from natural products are new potent therapies for ALD, NAFLD, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we summarize some powerful products that can be potential applied in all the stages of CLD, from ALD/NAFLD to HCC. The selected agents such as β-sitosterol, curcumin, genistein, and silymarin can regulate the activation of several important molecules, including AMPK, Farnesoid X receptor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2, PPARs, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, and lysyl oxidase-like proteins. In addition, clinical trials are undergoing to evaluate their efficacy and safety.

Mitochondrial alterations in fatty liver diseases

Fatty liver diseases can result from common metabolic diseases, as well as from xenobiotic exposure and excessive alcohol use, all of which have been shown to exert toxic effects on hepatic mitochondrial functionality and dynamics. Invasive or complex methodology limits large-scale investigations of mitochondria in human livers. Nevertheless, abnormal mitochondrial function, such as impaired fatty acid oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation, drives oxidative stress and has been identified as an important feature of human steatohepatitis. On the other hand, hepatic mitochondria can be flexible and adapt to the ambient metabolic condition to prevent triglyceride and lipotoxin accumulation in obesity. Experience from studies on xenobiotics has provided important insights into the regulation of hepatic mitochondria. Increasing awareness of the joint presence of metabolic disease-related (lipotoxic) and alcohol-related liver diseases further highlights the need to better understand their mutual interaction and potentiation in disease progression. Recent clinical studies have assessed the effects of diets or bariatric surgery on hepatic mitochondria, which are also evolving as an interesting therapeutic target in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This review summarises the current knowledge on hepatic mitochondria with a focus on fatty liver diseases linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and xenobiotics.

A review of edible plant-derived natural compounds for the therapy of liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis has a high incidence worldwide and is the common pathological basis of many chronic liver diseases. Liver fibrosis is caused by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and concomitant collagen accumulation in livers and can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. A large number of studies have provided evidence that liver fibrosis can be blocked or even reversed by appropriate medical interventions. However, the antifibrosis drugs with ideal clinical efficacy are still insufficient. The edible plant-derived natural compounds have been reported to exert effective antifibrotic effects with few side-effects, representing a kind of promising source for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this article, we reviewed the current progress of the natural compounds derived from dietary plants in the treatment of liver fibrosis, including phenolic compounds (capsaicin, chlorogenic acid, curcumin, ellagic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, sinapic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid and vitamin E), flavonoid compounds (genistein, hesperidin, hesperetin, naringenin, naringin and quercetin), sulfur-containing compounds (S-allylcysteine, ergothioneine, lipoic acid and sulforaphane) and other compounds (betaine, caffeine, cucurbitacin B, lycopene, α-mangostin, γ-mangostin, ursolic acid, vitamin C and yangonin). The pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of these compounds in in-vivo and in-vitro models of liver fibrosis are focused.

Protective effects of genistein on the production performance and lipid metabolism disorders in laying hens with fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome by activation of the GPER-AMPK signaling pathways

The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects and potential mechanisms of genistein (GEN) on production performance impairments and lipid metabolism disorders in laying hens fed a high-energy and low-protein (HELP) diet. A total of 120 Hy-line Brown laying hens were fed with the standard diet and HELP diet supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg GEN for 80 d. The results showed that the declines in laying rate (P < 0.01), average egg weight (P < 0.01), and egg yield (P < 0.01), and the increase of the ratio of feed to egg (P < 0.01) induced by HELP diet were markedly improved by 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN treatment in laying hens (P < 0.05). Moreover, the hepatic steatosis and increases of lipid contents (P < 0.01) in serum and liver caused by HELP diet were significantly alleviated by treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN in laying hens (P < 0.05). The liver index and abdominal fat index of laying hens in the HELP group were higher than subjects in the control group (P < 0.01), which were evidently attenuated by dietary 50 to 200 mg/kg of GEN supplementation (P < 0.05). Dietary 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN supplementation significantly reduced the upregulations of genes related to fatty acid transport and synthesis (P < 0.01) but enhanced the downregulations of genes associated with fatty acid oxidation (P < 0.01) caused by HELP in the liver of laying hens (P < 0.05). Importantly, 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN supplementation markedly increased G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mRNA and protein expression levels and activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in the liver of laying hens fed a HELP diet (P < 0.05). These data indicated that the protective effects of GEN against the decline of production performance and lipid metabolism disorders caused by HELP diet in laying hens may be related to the activation of the GPER-AMPK signaling pathways. These data not only provide compelling evidence for the protective effect of GEN against fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens but also provide the theoretical basis for GEN as an additive to alleviate metabolic disorders in poultry.

Genistein attenuates neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and improves cognitive impairment in a rat model of sepsis-associated encephalopathy: potential role of the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Oxidative stress and inflammation seem to be the main factors responsible for cognitive impairment in sepsis. Genistein (GEN) is claimed to exert many beneficial effects on health, however, its possible effects on brain sepsis remains unclear. Here, we assess the influence and underling mechanisms of GEN on cognitive impairments in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic model. Rats were randomly divided into Sham, Sham + GEN, CLP, CLP + GEN gropus. Rats were treated with GEN (15 mg/kg at 0 and 12 h after CLP, i.p). Twenty-four hours after CLP, protein levels of cytokines, NF-kB and Nrf2, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the expression of Nrf2-target genes were evaluated in the hippocampus. At 10 days after sepsis induction, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate cognitive impairment. The results indicate that GEN can enhance survival percentage and improve cognitive function. Genistein administration significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels, MPO activity and protein level of NF-kB in the hippocampus of septic rats. Genistein also decreased the levels of oxidative stress parameters (MDA and protein carbonyls) and elevated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in septic rats. Furthermore, nuclear Nrf2 and the expression of HO-1 and NQO-1 were also elevated by GEN treatment. These findings suggest that GEN improves cognition impairment in septic rats via decreasing inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and activation of the Nrf2 pathway.

Swertia mussotii prevents high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats by inhibiting expression the TLR4/MyD88 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB

CONTEXT

Swertia mussotii Franch. (Gentianaceae) is a source of the traditional Tibetan medicine, ZangYinChen, and is used to treat chronic hepatitis and many types of jaundice.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the therapeutic effects and mechanism of S. mussotii on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After a week of adaptive feeding, 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control, (2) Control-S, (3) Model, and (4) Model-S. During the 12 experimental weeks, we established the Model using a high-fat diet. Control-S and Model-S were given 1.0 g/kg S. mussotii water extract via gavage starting in the fifth week until the end of experiment.

RESULTS

When compared with Model rats, the S. mussotii water extract led to a reduction in high-density lipoproteins (43.9%) and albumin (13.9%) and a decrease in total cholesterol (54.0%), triglyceride (45.6%), low-density lipoproteins (8.6%), aspartate aminotransferase (11.0%), alanine aminotransferase (15.5%), alkaline phosphatase (19.1%), total protein (6.4%), and glucose (20.8%) in serum. A reduction in three cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) was detected. Histopathological examination showed that liver steatosis was significantly relieved in S. mussotii-treated high-fat diet rats. S. mussotii also caused a downregulation in the expression of TLR4 (43.2%), MyD88 (33.3%), and a decrease in phosphorylation of NF-κB.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that S. mussotii may act as a potential anti-inflammation drug via inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Further in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to validate its potential in clinical medicine.

Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The global incidence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is approximately 25%. With the global increase in obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes, NAFLD has become an important cause of chronic liver disease in many countries. Despite recent advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutics, there are still challenges in its treatment. In this review, we briefly describe diagnostic methods, therapeutic targets, and drugs related to NAFLD. In particular, we focus on evaluating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, lipotoxicity, cell death, inflammation, and fibrosis as potential therapeutic targets for NAFLD. We also summarized the clinical research progress in terms of drug development and combination therapy, thereby providing references for NAFLD drug development.

Monascuspiloin from Monascus-Fermented Red Mold Rice Alleviates Alcoholic Liver Injury and Modulates Intestinal Microbiota

Monascus-fermented red mold rice (RMR) has excellent physiological efficacy on lipid metabolism and liver function. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of monascuspiloin (MP) from RMR on alcoholic liver injury in mice, and further clarified its mechanism of action. Results showed that MP intervention obviously ameliorated lipid metabolism and liver function in mice with over-drinking. In addition, dietary MP intervention reduced liver MDA levels and increased liver CAT, SOD, and GSH levels, thus alleviating liver oxidative stress induced by excessive drinking. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing showed that MP intervention was beneficial to ameliorate intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by elevating the proportion of norank_f_Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, Alistipes, Roseburia, Vagococcus, etc., but decreasing the proportion of Staphylococcus, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001, Helicobacter, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae, etc. Additionally, correlation network analysis indicated that the key intestinal bacterial taxa intervened by MP were closely related to some biochemical parameters of lipid metabolism, liver function, and oxidative stress. Moreover, liver metabolomics analysis revealed that dietary MP supplementation significantly regulated the levels of 75 metabolites in the liver, which were involved in the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, taurine, and hypotaurine metabolism, and other metabolic pathways. Furthermore, dietary MP intervention regulated gene transcription and protein expression associated with hepatic lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. In short, these findings suggest that MP mitigates alcohol-induced liver injury by regulating the intestinal microbiome and liver metabolic pathway, and thus can serve as a functional component to prevent liver disease.

Lipid-lowering activity of metformin-soluble soybean polysaccharide nanoparticles

Soybean dregs are one of the most important albeit underutilized byproducts in soybean processing. In this study, soluble soybean polysaccharides with lipid-lowering activity were extracted from soybean dregs and used as a wall material for embedding metformin. Metformin-soluble soybean polysaccharide nanoparticles (MET-SSPS-NPs) were prepared by electrostatic interaction. The lipid-lowering activity and possible mechanism of MET-SSPS-NPs were investigated. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of cell-related protein proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in vitro. The results showed that MET-SSPS-NPs lowered the expression of PCSK9 and improved LDLR levels. A high-fat diet (HFD) animal model was established to study the lipid-lowering effect of MET-SSPS-NPs by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. MET-SSPS-NPs significantly upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression and downregulated PCSK9, fatty acid-binding protein (FABP)7 and FABP5 expression more strongly than MET or SSPS alone. In conclusion, MET-SSPS-NPs can inhibit PCSK9 expression and improve the level of adipokines, providing a theoretical basis for the application of MET-SSPS-NPs in lipid lowering.

Berberrubine, a Main Metabolite of Berberine, Alleviates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Modulating Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Restoring Gut Microbiota

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health problem in many countries. Berberine (BBR) is an effective therapeutic agent in alleviating NAFLD. Berberrubine (BRB) is one of the main active metabolites of BBR, which shows significant anti-obesity and antihypoglycemic effects. However, whether BRB is responsible for the in vivo therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanism of BRB on NAFLD have not been elucidated. In this study, the ability of BRB to ameliorate NAFLD, together with its molecular mechanism, was investigated. The results showed that BRB treatments could significantly improve hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)–fed mice and oleic acid (OA)–treated HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, BBR and BRB treatment similarly prevented lipid accumulation by regulating the protein expression of ATGL, GK, PPARα, CPT-1, ACC1, FAS, and CD36. In addition, compared with BBR, BRB could maintain glucose homeostasis via GLUT2, GSK3β, and G6Pase in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, the components of the gut microbiota in mice were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. BBR and BRB treatment could greatly modify the structure and composition of gut microbiota. At the genus level, BBR and BRB treatment decreased Lactobacillus and Romboutsia, while BBR increased beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia and Bacteroides, and BRB increased beneficial bacteria, such as Ileibacterium and Mucispirillum. Altogether, both BRB and BBR were active in alleviating NAFLD in vivo and BRB might be used as a functional material to treat NAFLD clinically.

Protective Mechanism of Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. Polysaccharide on Liver Fibrosis by HFD-Induced Liver Fat Synthesis and Oxidative Stress

Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. polysaccharide (NSKP) is one of the main components of Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. and is often used as health food. We investigated whether NSKP interferes with the progression of liver fibrosis. Male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), high-fat diet (M), high-fat diet + 0.4 g/kg NSKP (L), and high-fat diet + 0.8 g/kg NSKP (H). C was fed standard diet, M was fed high-fat diet, and L and H were fed high-fat diet in addition to gavage of 0.4 g/kg or 0.8 g/kg NSKP, respectively, for 22 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the serum and liver oxidative stress, fat accumulation, and fibrosis indexes were detected. The histopathology of liver was also observed. The results showed that the rice of NSKP, compared with M, improved blood lipid level, liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and liver antioxidant capacity and effectively interfered with liver fibrosis related indicators. So it is interesting to note that NSKP appeared to be effective in liver injury; further experiments are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms involved.

Nootkatone, a Sesquiterpene Ketone From Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus, Ameliorates Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver by Regulating AMPK and MAPK Signaling

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is becoming more common due to lifestyle changes. A long-term high-fat and high-glucose diet induces glycolipid metabolism disorders in the liver, which results in the development of MAFLD. To date, there is no specific clinically useful therapeutics for this disease. Natural products or synthetic compounds were screened and investigated to find effective agents for treating MAFLD. In this study, nootkatone (Nok), a natural sesquiterpene ketone isolated from Alpiniae oxyphyllae fructus, was explored for its potential to treat MAFLD, and underlying mechanisms were studied. Our results show that Nok dramatically ameliorated the disordered lipid and glucose metabolism in MAFLD mice, decreased fat accumulation in hepatic tissue, and improved liver injury. Inflammation, metabolic disorder, and oxidative stress were ameliorated in liver tissue based on RNA-seq transcriptome comparison between a Nok-treated group and an MAFLD model group. Furthermore, Nok significantly activated AMPK activity and inhibited MAPK activity, especially the p38 and JNK signaling pathways, in vivo based on western blot analysis. The pharmaceutical effects and potential signaling pathways impacted by Nok were also investigated in L02 cells. Nok significantly promoted the consumption of glucose and decreased the deposition of triglycerides in vitro. The p-AMPKα level was notably upregulated by Nok, indicating dramatic AMPK activation. In addition, Nok decreased the levels of p-ERK1/2, p-p38, and p-JNK. Nok also inhibited the activation of MAPK signaling and, thus, alleviated MAFLD development. Our results suggest that Nok may be useful in treating MAFLD. Nok may ameliorate MAFLD by regulating glycolipid metabolism disorders by activating AMPK and inhibiting MAPK activity. Collectively, this study suggests that Nok is an effective compound for the treatment of MAFLD.

Effects of Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz polysaccharide on renal fibrosis in high-fat mice

In this study, we investigated the effects of Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz polysaccharide (NSKP) on renal fibrosis in high‐fat mice. ApoE^−/− male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (Cont) group, high‐fat diet (HFD) group, HFD+0.4 g/kg BW NSKP, and HFD+0.8 g/kg BW NSKP (NSKP groups). The Cont was fed a standard diet. The HFD group was fed HFD. Every day, NSKP groups were fed HFD, as well as given 0.4 g/kg BW or 0.8 g/kg BW NSKP. After 22 weeks, the serum biochemical indices (TC, TG, LDL‐C, HDL‐C, GLU, BUN, and SCR) were measured. For the kidney, the histopathological sections were observed and analyzed, and inflammatory factors and markers of renal fibrosis were measured. For the NSKP groups, the serum TC, TG, LDL‐C, BUN, and SCR were decreased, HDL‐C significantly increased compared with the HFD group. The protein expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and TGF‐β1 were significantly downregulated. The α‐SMA in renal cortex was decreased, and the mRNA expression of Col‐I and Col‐IV in renal collagen fibers was downregulated. To sum up, NSKP reduced the blood lipid of HFD mice, downregulated the inflammation of kidney, inhibited the expression of collagen fiber, and improved the renal fibrosis caused by long‐term lipid metabolism disorder.

Genistein Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Inhibiting the Process of Gluconeogenesis in Mice

Genistein is an isoflavone phytoestrogen that has been shown to improve obesity; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved therein have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we administered genistein to high-fat diet-induced obese mice to investigate its effect on hepatic gluconeogenesis. The results showed that genistein treatment significantly inhibited body weight gain, hyperglycemia, and adipose and hepatic lipid deposition in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT) and pyruvate tolerance test (PTT) showed that genistein treatment significantly inhibited gluconeogenesis and improved insulin resistance in obese mice. In addition, this study also found that genistein could promote the expression of miR-451 in vitro and in vivo, and the dual-luciferase reporter system showed that G6pc (glucose-6-phosphatase) may be a target gene of miR-451. Both genistein treatment and in vivo injection of miR-451 agomir significantly inhibited gluconeogenesis and inhibited the expression of G6pc and Gk (glycerol kinase, a known target gene of miR-451). In conclusion, genistein may inhibit gluconeogenesis in obese mice by regulating the expression of Gk and G6pc through miR-451. These results may provide insights into the functions of miR-451 and food-derived phytoestrogens in ameliorating and preventing gluconeogenesis-related diseases.

Genistein-Opportunities Related to an Interesting Molecule of Natural Origin

Nowadays, increasingly more attention is being paid to a holistic approach to health, in which diet contributes to disease prevention. There is growing interest in functional food that not only provides basic nutrition but has also been demonstrated to be an opportunity for the prevention of disorders. A promising functional food is soybean, which is the richest source of the isoflavone, genistein. Genistein may be useful in the prevention and treatment of such disorders as psoriasis, cataracts, cystic fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. However, achievable concentrations of genistein in humans are low, and the use of soybean as a functional food is not devoid of concerns, which are related to genistein's potential side effects resulting from its estrogenic and goitrogenic effects.

Profoundly improved photostability of dimetronidazole by cocrystallization

Cocrystallization with saccharine (SAC) significantly improved photostability of dimetronidazole (DMZ), an veterinary antibiotic.

Mitigation of MAFLD in High Fat-High Sucrose-Fructose Fed Mice by a Combination of Genistein Consumption and Exercise Training

PURPOSE

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is fueled by escalations in both sedentary behavior and caloric intake and is noted in obese type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise and the phytoestrogen genistein in mice fed a high fat (60% fat) high sugar (55% fructose with 45% sucrose), HFHS diet.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to five groups: HFHS, HFHS with genistein (600 mg/kg diet, HFHS+Gen), HFHS with moderate exercise (HFHS+Ex), and HFHS with combined genistein and moderate exercise (HFHS-Gen+Ex). Control lean mice were fed standard chow and water. Exercise consisted of 30-minute sessions of treadmill running five days/week for the 12-week study duration. Body weight was assessed weekly. Liver, kidney, fecal pellets and serum were extracted at the end of the study and maintained at -80°C.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks of treatment, mice in the HFHS group had the highest hepatic lipid content. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, cholesterol, amylin, and total fat content were significantly elevated in HFHS mice compared to control mice. HFHS feeding increased protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b (CPT-1b isoform) in gastrocnemius, CPT1a, glucose transporter protein 2 (GLUT2), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate 1 (FBP1) expression in liver. Exercise alone had minor effects on these metabolic abnormalities. Genistein alone resulted in improvements in body weight, fat content, amylin, insulin sensitivity, and liver histopathology, GR, FBP1, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). Combination treatment resulted in additional metabolic improvements, including reductions in hepatic lipid content and lipid area, alanine transferase activity, CPT1b, and CPT1a.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that a HFHS diet is obesogenic, inducing metabolic perturbations consistent with T2DM and MAFLD. Genistein alone and genistein combined with moderate intensity exercise were effective in reducing MAFLD and the aberrations induced by chronic HFHS feeding.

Macrophage Polarization and Its Role in Liver Disease

Macrophages are important immune cells in innate immunity, and have remarkable heterogeneity and polarization. Under pathological conditions, in addition to the resident macrophages, other macrophages are also recruited to the diseased tissues, and polarize to various phenotypes (mainly M1 and M2) under the stimulation of various factors in the microenvironment, thus playing different roles and functions. Liver diseases are hepatic pathological changes caused by a variety of pathogenic factors (viruses, alcohol, drugs, etc.), including acute liver injury, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies have shown that macrophage polarization plays an important role in the initiation and development of liver diseases. However, because both macrophage polarization and the pathogenesis of liver diseases are complex, the role and mechanism of macrophage polarization in liver diseases need to be further clarified. Therefore, the origin of hepatic macrophages, and the phenotypes and mechanisms of macrophage polarization are reviewed first in this paper. It is found that macrophage polarization involves several molecular mechanisms, mainly including TLR4/NF-κB, JAK/STATs, TGF-β/Smads, PPARγ, Notch, and miRNA signaling pathways. In addition, this paper also expounds the role and mechanism of macrophage polarization in various liver diseases, which aims to provide references for further research of macrophage polarization in liver diseases, contributing to the therapeutic strategy of ameliorating liver diseases by modulating macrophage polarization.

Polyphenols: Potential anti-inflammatory agents for treatment of metabolic disorders

Ample evidence highlights the potential benefits of polyphenols in health status especially in obesity-related metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Mechanistically, due to the key role of "Metainflammation" in the pathomechanism of metabolic disorders, recently much focus has been placed on the properties of polyphenols in obesity-related morbidities. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of polyphenols, including genistein, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, caffeic acid, and silymarin in inflammatory responses pertinent to metabolic disorders and discusses the implications of this evidence for future directions. This review provides evidence that the aforementioned polyphenols benefit health status in metabolic disorders via direct and indirect regulation of a variety of target proteins involved in inflammatory signaling pathways. However, due to limitations of the in vitro and in vivo studies and also the lack of long-term human clinical trials studies, further high-quality investigations are required to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the polyphenols for the prevention and management of metabolic disorders.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of genistein in prevention and treatment of diseases: An overview

Genistein is the simplest secondary metabolite in soybeans and belongs to a group of compounds called isoflavones. It is a phytoestrogen and it makes up more than 60% of soy isoflavones. Studies have shown the anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects of genistein in addition to its modulatory effects on steroidal hormone receptors. In this review, we discuss the pharmacologic and therapeutic effects of genistein on various diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this review, we have discussed the therapeutic effects of genistein as the main constituent of soybeans on health conditions. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and, anti-angiogenic effects need more attention. The pharmacological properties of genistein make this natural isoflavone a potential treatment for various diseases such as postmenopausal symptoms, cancer, bone, brain, and heart diseases. Special emphasis should be given to it, resulting in using it in clinical as a safe, potent, and bioactive molecule.

Metformin in combination with genistein ameliorates skeletal muscle inflammation in high-fat diet fed c57BL/6 mice

Although the beneficial effects of metformin (MET) and genistein in ameliorating inflammation have been elucidated, their combined impacts on skeletal muscle inflammation have not been clearly understood. This study aimed to examine the possible preventive effect of MET in combination with genistein on skeletal muscle inflammation in high-fat diet (HFD) fed C57BL/6 mice. Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were fed on an HFD for 10 weeks. The mice were categorized into five groups, control, HFD, HFD + MET (0.23%), HFD + genistein (0.2%), and HFD + MET + genistein for 12 weeks. The results showed that treatment with MET and genistein, either alone or in combination, led to reduced weight gain, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, HOMA-IR levels, and Area Under the Curves (AUCs) in ipGTT. MET in combination with genistein demonstrated a decreasing effect on macrophages infiltration rate compared to genistein and MET groups alone. The expression of iNOS was reduced, whereas the expression of M2 macrophage markers was increased in combined treatment of MET and genistein. Furthermore, MET in combination with genistein reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, and IL-6 and increased the expression of IL-10 in comparison with genistein and MET groups alone. Plasma and skeletal muscle triglycerides and intra-myocellular lipid deposition were reversed by treatment with MET and genistein, alone or in combination. These results imply that the combination therapy of MET and genistein may have therapeutic potential for decreasing obesity-induced skeletal muscle inflammation in the HFD-fed model.

Studies of the Anti-Diabetic Mechanism of Pueraria lobata Based on Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

Diabetes mellitus (DM), as a chronic disease caused by insulin deficiency or using obstacles, is gradually becoming a principal worldwide health problem. Pueraria lobata is one of the traditional Chinese medicinal and edible plants, playing roles in improving the cardiovascular system, lowering blood sugar, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and so on. Studies on the hypoglycemic effects of Pueraria lobata were also frequently reported. To determine the active ingredients and related targets of Pueraria lobata for DM, 256 metabolites were identified by LC/MS non targeted metabonomics, and 19 active ingredients interacting with 51 DM-related targets were screened. The results showed that puerarin, quercetin, genistein, daidzein, and other active ingredients in Pueraria lobata could participate in the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, insulin resistance, HIF-1 signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway by acting on VEGFA, INS, INSR, IL-6, TNF and AKT1, and may regulate type 2 diabetes, inflammation, atherosis and diabetes complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Metformin in Combination with Malvidin Prevents Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Improving Lipid and Glucose Metabolisms, and Inhibiting Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Rats

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the primary causes of chronic liver disease and is closely linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and dyslipidemia. However, no effective drug therapies have been approved to treat this disease. The present research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the combination of oral hypoglycemic drug metformin (MET) and a natural product malvidin (MAL) on hepatic damage in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: normal control group (NC), diabetic control group (DC), DC+MET group, DC+MAL group, and DC+MET+MAL group and treated for eight weeks. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected for metabolic parameters, histological, and RT-qPCR analysis.

Results

Our findings indicated that hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in diabetic rats were alleviated after oral treatment with MET and MAL, particularly their combination therapy. Besides, the expression of SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS, IL-6, IL-8, and NF-κB mRNA was down-regulated by MET+MAL, and the expression of PPARα, CPT1, and LPL was up-regulated by MET+MAL.

Conclusion

The evidence of this research indicated that the combination therapy may represent an efficient strategy against NAFLD in T2DM rats via improving lipid and glucose metabolisms, and inhibiting inflammation.

Hepatic macrophage accumulation with aging: cause for concern?

Aging is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation that adversely affects physiological function. The liver regulates systemic inflammation; it is a source of cytokine production and also scavenges bacteria from the portal circulation to prevent infection of other organs. The cells with primary roles in these functions, hepatic macrophages, become more numerous in the liver with "normal" aging (i.e., in the absence of disease). Here, we demonstrate evidence and potential mechanisms for this phenomenon, which include augmented tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the liver. Also, we discuss how an age-related impairment in autophagy within macrophages leads to a pro-oxidative state and ensuing production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin 6 (IL-6). Given that the liver is a rich source of macrophages, we posit that it represents a major source of the elevated systemic IL-6 observed with aging, which is associated with physiological dysfunction. Testing a causal role for liver macrophage production of IL-6 during aging remains a challenge, yet interventions that have targeted macrophages and/or IL-6 have demonstrated promise in treating age-related diseases. These studies have demonstrated an age-related, deleterious reprogramming of macrophage function, which worsens pathology. Therefore, hepatic macrophage accrual is indeed a cause for concern, and therapies that attenuate the aged phenotype of macrophages will likely prove useful in promoting healthy aging.