Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth. Attenuates free fatty acid-induced steatosis in HepG2 cells and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

The molecular regulated mechanism of METTL3 and FTO in lipid metabolism of Hu sheep

BACKGROUND

Balanced lipid metabolism can improve the growth performance and meat quality of livestock. The m6A methylation-related genes METTL3 and FTO play important roles in animal lipid metabolism; however, the mechanism through which they regulate lipid metabolism in sheep is unclear.

RESULTS

We established lipid deposition models of hepatocytes and preadipocytes in Hu sheep. In the hepatocyte lipid deposition model, the genes expression levels of FABP4, Accα, ATGL and METTL3, METTL14, and FTO-were significantly up-regulated after lipid deposition (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that lipid deposition had a significant effect on MAPK, steroid biosynthesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway in hepatocytes. The m6A methylation level decreased but the difference was not significant after METTL3 interference, and the expression levels of FABP4 and ATGL increased significantly (P < 0.05); the m6A methylation level significantly increased following METTL3 overexpression, and LPL and ATGL expression levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05), indicating that overexpression of METTL3 inhibited the expression of lipid deposition-related genes in a m6A-dependent manner. The m6A methylation level was significantly increased, ATGL expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and LPL, FABP4, and Accα expression was not significantly changed following FTO interference (P > 0.05); the m6A methylation level was significantly decreased after FTO overexpression, and LPL, FABP4, and ATGL expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05), indicating that FTO overexpression increased the expression of lipid deposition-related genes in a m6A-dependent manner. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that m6A methylation modification mainly regulated lipid metabolism through triglyceride metabolism, adipocytokine signaling, MAPK signaling, and fat digestion and absorption in hepatocytes. In the lipid deposition model of preadipocytes, the regulation of gene expression is the same as that in hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

METTL3 significantly inhibited the expression of lipid deposition-related genes, whereas FTO overexpression promoted lipid deposition. Our study provides a theoretical basis and reference for accurately regulating animal lipid deposition by mastering METTL3 and FTO genes to promote high-quality animal husbandry.

Identification of common signature genes and pathways underlying the pathogenesis association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and heart failure

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and heart failure (HF) are related conditions with an increasing incidence. However, the mechanism underlying their association remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the shared pathogenic mechanisms and common biomarkers of NAFLD and HF through bioinformatics analyses and experimental validation.

Methods

NAFLD and HF-related transcriptome data were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE126848 and GSE26887). Differential analysis was performed to identify common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) between NAFLD and HF. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to explore the functions and regulatory pathways of co-DEGs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) methods were used to screen common key DEGs. The diagnostic value of common key DEGs was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and validated with external datasets (GSE89632 and GSE57345). Finally, the expression of biomarkers was validated in mouse models.

Results

A total of 161 co-DEGs were screened out in NAFLD and HF patients. GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses indicated that these co-DEGs were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways. PPI network revealed 14 key DEGs, and SVM-RFE model eventually identified two genes (CD163 and CCR1) as common key DEGs for NAFLD and HF. Expression analysis revealed that the expression levels of CD163 and CCR1 were significantly down-regulated in HF and NAFLD patients. ROC curve analysis showed that CD163 and CCR1 had good diagnostic values for HF and NAFLD. Single-gene GSEA suggested that CD163 and CCR1 were mainly engaged in immune responses and inflammation. Experimental validation indicated unbalanced macrophage polarization in HF and NAFLD mouse models, and the expression of CD163 and CCR1 were significantly down-regulated.

Conclusion

This study identified M2 polarization impairment characterized by decreased expression of CD163 and CCR1 as a common pathogenic pathway in NAFLD and HF. The downregulation of CD163 and CCR1 may reflect key pathological changes in the development and progression of NAFLD and HF, suggesting their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Obesity induced caveolin-1 impairs osteogenesis via activating mitophagy and inhibiting Sirt1 signaling

Obesity has become a major global health problem and the effect on bone formation has received increasing attention. However, the interaction between obesity and bone metabolism is complex and still not fully understood. Here, we show that caveolin-1 (Cav1), a membrane scaffold protein involved in regulating a variety of cellular processes, plays a key regulatory role as a bridge connecting obesity and bone metabolism. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6J mouse displayed a significant increase in Cav1 expression and lower osteogenic activity; In vitro treatment of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells with 1 mM free fatty acids (FFA) significantly promoted Cav1 expression and PINK1/Parkin regulated mitophagy, but inhibited the expression of osteogenic marker genes. Conversely, reduced expression of the Cav1 gene prevented these effects. Both endogenous oxidative stress and Sirt1 pathway were also significantly reduced after Cav1 knockdown in FFA-treated cells. Finally, Cav1-Sirt1 docking and co-immunoprecipitation results showed that Cav1 interacted with Sirt1 and FFA enhanced the interaction. Taken together, these results suggest that obesity impairs bone development and formation through up-regulation of the Cav1 gene, which lead to inhibition of Sirt1/FOXO1 and Sirt1/PGC-1α signaling pathways through interacting with Sirt1 molecule, and an increase of mitophagy level.

TRIM24 Up-Regulates ORM2 to Alleviate Abnormal Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Mice with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Tripartite motif containing 24 (TRIM24) deficiency was reported to cause hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatitis. However, the expression, function, and mechanism of TRIM24 in OSAS and MASLD remain unclear. OSAS and MASLD mouse model was established by intermittent hypoxia (IH) and high-fat diet. IH- and 1% free fatty acid-induced mouse liver cells served as an in vitro model. TRIM24 and HIF-1α were up-regulated under the IH condition. HIF-1α enhanced the transcriptional activity of TRIM24. Overexpression of TRIM24 reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in OSAS and MASLD mice. Additionally, overexpression of TRIM24 alleviated inflammation and oxidative stress, and modulated aberrant lipid metabolism. Mechanically, TRIM24 up-regulated the expression of ORM2, a key regulator of hepatic lipogenesis, by binding to H3K27ac and recruiting retinoic acid receptor-α to ORM2 promoter. The cell rescue model verified that ORM2 mediated the hepatoprotective effects of TRIM24. Our evidence reveals the important role of TRIM24 as an epigenetic coregulator of transcription in OSAS and MASLD, providing additional insights into understanding the pathogenesis and preventing the development of OSAS and MASLD.

Mechanism investigation of anti-NAFLD of Shugan Yipi Granule based on network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification

As a classical traditional Chinese patent medicine, Shugan Yipi Granule is widely used in China to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) recently. Our previous study confirmed that Shugan Yipi Granule are effective in NAFLD. However, its underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Shugan Yipi Granule on NAFLD based on network pharmacology prediction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis and in vitro verification. We obtained the active ingredients and targets of Shugan Yipi Granule and NAFLD from 6 traditional Chinese medicine databases, and the crucial components and targets screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were used for molecular docking. Plasma metabolomics of NAFLD patients treated with Shugan Yipi Granule for one month was analyzed using LC-MS methods and MetaboAnalyst 4.0 to obtain significant differential metabolites and pathways. Finally, free fatty acid (FFA) induced HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of quercetin and kaempferol, then oil red o (ORO) and triglyceride (TG) level were tested to verify the lipid deposition of the cell. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the main active ingredients of Shugan Yipi Granule include quercetin, kaempferol and other 58 ones, as well as 188 potential targets. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to be the most relevant pathway for the treatment of NAFLD. Non-targeted metabolomics showed that quercetin and kaempferol were significantly up-regulated differential metabolites and were involved in metabolic pathways such as thyroid hormone signaling. In vitro results showed that quercetin, kaempferol were effective in reducing lipid deposition and TG content by inhibiting cellular fatty acid uptake. Ultimately, with the network pharmacology and serum metabolomics analysis, quercetin and kaempferol were found to be the important active ingredients and significantly up-regulated differential metabolites of Shugan Yipi Granule against NAFLD, which we inferred that they may regulate NAFLD through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and thyroid hormone metabolism pathway. The in vitro experiment verification results showed that quercetin and kaempferol attenuated the lipid accumulation and TG content by inhibiting the fatty acid uptake in the FFA-induced HepG2 cell. Current study provides the necessary experimental basis for subsequent in-depth mechanism research.

YinChen WuLing powder attenuates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis through the inhibition of the SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 pathway

Background

YinChen WuLing Powder (YCWLP) has been recommended by consensus for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); nevertheless, its specific pharmacological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study aims to dissect the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of YCWLP on NASH using a hybrid approach that encompasses network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experimental validation.

Methods

We compiled the chemical constituents of YCWLP from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), while potential targets were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction database. To identify NASH-related candidate targets, comprehensive retrieval was carried out using five authoritative databases. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks of direct targets of YCWLP in NASH treatment were then constructed using the String database, and functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, were conducted through the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database. Core targets were discerned using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) and cytoHubba algorithms. Subsequently, molecular docking of key compounds to core targets was conducted using AutoDock software. Moreover, we established a free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cell model to simulate NASH in vitro, with YCWLP medicated serum intervention employed to corroborate the network pharmacology-derived hypotheses. Furthermore, a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blotting analyses was employed to investigate the lipid, hepatic enzyme, SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 signaling pathway and associated cytokine levels.

Results

The network pharmacology analysis furnished a list of 54 compounds from YCWLP and 167 intersecting targets associated with NASH. Through analytic integration with multiple algorithms, PTPN11 (also known as SHP2) emerged as a core target of YCWLP in mitigating NASH. The in vitro experiments validated that 10% YCWLP medicated serum could remarkably attenuate levels of total cholesterol (TC, 1.25 vs. 3.32) and triglyceride (TG, 0.23 vs. 0.57) while ameliorating alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 7.79 vs. 14.78) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 4.64 vs. 8.68) leakage in NASH-afflicted cells. In addition, YCWLP significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of SHP2 (0.55 vs. 0.20) and downregulated the expression of molecules within the SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 signaling axis, including p-PI3K (0.42 vs. 1.02), NLRP3 (0.47 vs. 0.93), along with downstream effectors-cleaved Caspase-1 (0.21 vs. 0.49), GSDMD-NT (0.24 vs. 0.71), mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β, 0.17 vs. 0.48), pro-IL-1β (0.49 vs. 0.89), mature interleukin-18 (IL-18, 0.15 vs. 0.36), and pro-IL-18 (0.48 vs. 0.95).

Conclusion

Our research reveals that YCWLP exerts therapeutic effects against NASH by inhibiting lipid accumulation and inflammation, which involves the attenuation of pyroptosis via the SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 pathway.

Effect of Rab18 on liver injury and lipid accumulation by regulating perilipin 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, characterized by the presence of lipid droplets. Rab18 is an important lipid droplet protein; however, its effects and mechanisms of action on NAFLD remain unclear.

METHODS

Free fatty acid-stimulated AML-12 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were used as NAFLD models. Lentiviruses overexpressing Rab18 (Rab18-OE) or knockdown (Rab18-KD) were used to generate stable cell lines for genetic analysis. Blood serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and leptin were measured using a biochemical autoanalyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to detect pathological damage to the liver. Lipid accumulation in the cells was assessed by Oil Red O staining. Target expression was measured using qPCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Rab18 mRNA and protein expression levels increased in free fatty acid-stimulated AML-12 cells and the livers of HFD-fed mice. Rab18-OE increased lipid accumulation in vitro, which was attenuated by Rab18-KD. In vivo, Rab18-OE augmented liver pathological damage, serum alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase activity, and triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels, whereas Rab18-KD decreased these indicators. Rab18-KD also downregulated blood glucose levels in HFD-fed mice. Mechanistically, Rab18-OE and Rab18-KD regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of perilipin 2 (PLIN2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Immunocytochemistry revealed that Rab18 colocalized with PLIN2 and PPARγ in AML-12 cells.

CONCLUSION

Rab18 expression was elevated in vitro and in vivo in the NAFLD mouse model. Rab18 regulates PLIN2 and PPARγ expression to exaggerate liver injury and lipid accumulation in patients with NAFLD. Thus, Rab18 may be a crucial protein in this disease and a potential therapeutic target.

Disinfection Byproducts of Haloacetaldehydes Disrupt Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Induce Lipotoxicity in High-Fat Culture Conditions

Unhealthy lifestyles, obesity, and environmental pollutants are strongly correlated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Haloacetaldehyde-associated disinfection byproducts (HAL-DBPs) at various multiples of concentrations found in finished drinking water together with high-fat (HF) were examined to gauge their mixed effects on hepatic lipid metabolism. Using new alternative methods (NAMs), studying effects in human cells in vitro for risk assessment, we investigated the combined effects of HF and HAL-DBPs on hepatic lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity in immortalized LO-2 human hepatocytes. Coexposure of HAL-DBPs at various multiples of environmental exposure levels with HF increased the levels of triglycerides, interfered with de novo lipogenesis, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, and inhibited the secretion of very low-density lipoproteins. Lipid accumulation caused by the coexposure of HAL-DBPs and HF also resulted in more severe lipotoxicity in these cells. Our results using an in vitro NAM-based method provide novel insights into metabolic reprogramming in hepatocytes due to coexposure of HF and HAL-DBPs and strongly suggest that the risk of NAFLD in sensitive populations due to HAL-DBPs and poor lifestyle deserves further investigation both with laboratory and epidemiological tools. We also discuss how results from our studies could be used in health risk assessments for HAL-DBPs.

Nicotinate-curcumin improves NASH by inhibiting the AKR1B10/ACCα-mediated triglyceride synthesis

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent chronic liver condition. However, the potential therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanism of nicotinate-curcumin (NC) in the treatment of NASH remain uncertain.

METHODS

A rat model of NASH induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet was treated with nicotinate-curcumin (NC, 20, 40 mg·kg- 1), curcumin (Cur, 40 mg·kg- 1) and metformin (Met, 50 mg·kg- 1) for a duration of 4 weeks. The interaction between NASH, Cur and Aldo-Keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) was filter and analyzed using network pharmacology. The interaction of Cur, NC and AKR1B10 was analyzed using molecular docking techniques, and the binding energy of Cur and NC with AKR1B10 was compared. HepG2 cells were induced by Ox-LDL (25 µg·ml- 1, 24 h) in high glucose medium. NC (20µM, 40µM), Cur (40µM) Met (150µM) and epalrestat (Epa, 75µM) were administered individually. The activities of ALT, AST, ALP and the levels of LDL, HDL, TG, TC and FFA in serum were quantified using a chemiluminescence assay. Based on the changes in the above indicators, score according to NAS standards. The activities of Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA were measured using an ELISA assay. And the expression and cellular localization of AKR1B10 and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCα) in HepG2 cells were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

The results of the animal experiments demonstrated that NASH rat model induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet exhibited pronounced dysfunction in liver function and lipid metabolism. Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum levels of FFA and TG, as well as elevated expression of AKR1B10 and ACCα, and heightened activity of Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA in liver tissue. The administration of NC showed to enhance liver function in rats with NASH, leading to reductions in ALT, AST and ALP levels, and decrease in blood lipid and significant inhibition of FFA and TG synthesis in the liver. Network pharmacological analysis identified AKR1B10 and ACCα as potential targets for NASH treatment. Molecular docking studies revealed that both Cur and NC are capable of binding to AKR1B10, with NC exhibiting a stronger binding energy to AKR1B10. Western blot analysis demonstrated an upregulation in the expression of AKR1B10 and ACCα in the liver tissue of NASH rats, accompanied by elevated Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA activity, and increased levels of FFA and TG. The results of the HepG2 cell experiments induced by Ox-LDL suggest that NC significantly inhibited the expression and co-localization of AKR1B10 and ACCα, while also reduced levels of TC and LDL-C and increased level of HDL-C. These effects are accompanied by a decrease in the activities of ACCα and Malonyl-CoA, and levels of FFA and TG. Furthermore, the impact of NC appears to be more pronounced compared to Cur.

CONCLUSION

NC could effectively treat NASH and improve liver function and lipid metabolism disorder. The mechanism of NC is related to the inhibition of AKR1B10/ACCα pathway and FFA/TG synthesis of liver.

Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of digestive inflammatory cancer transformation: Portulaca oleracea L. as a promising drug

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat various types of inflammation and tumors of the digestive system. Portulaca oleracea L. (POL), has been used in TCM for thousands of years. The chemical composition of POL is variable and includes flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and organic acids and other classes of natural compounds. Many of these compounds exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer-transforming effects in the digestive system.

AIM OF STUDY

In this review, we focus on the potential therapeutic role of POL in NASH, gastritis and colitis and their associated cancers, with a focus on the pharmacological properties and potential mechanisms of action of the main natural active compounds in POL.

METHODS

The information and data on Portulaca oleracea L. and its main active ingredients were collated from various resources like ethnobotanical textbooks and literature databases such as CNKI, VIP (Chinese literature), PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier and Google Scholar (English literatures), Wiley, Springer, Tailor and Francis, Scopus, Inflibnet.

RESULTS

Kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, quercetin, genistein, EPA, DHA, and melatonin were found to improve NASH and NASH-HCC, while kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin played a therapeutic role in gastritis and gastric cancer. Apigenin, luteolin, myricetin, quercetin, genistein, lupeol, vitamin C and melatonin were found to have therapeutic effects in the treatment of colitis and its associated cancers. The discovery of the beneficial effects of these natural active compounds in POL supports the idea that POL could be a promising novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cancers of the digestive system.

CONCLUSION

The discovery of the beneficial effects of these natural active compounds in POL supports the idea that POL could be a promising novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cancers of the digestive system. However, clinical data describing the mode of action of the naturally active compounds of POL are still lacking. In addition, pharmacokinetic data for POL compounds, such as changes in drug dose and absorption rates, cannot be extrapolated from animal models and need to be measured in patients in clinical trials. On the one hand, a systematic meta-analysis of the existing publications on TCM containing POL still needs to be carried out. On the other hand, studies on the hepatic and renal toxicity of POL are also needed. Additionally, well-designed preclinical and clinical studies to validate the therapeutic effects of TCM need to be performed, thus hopefully providing a basis for the validation of the clinical benefits of POL.

Study of active components and mechanisms mediating the hypolipidemic effect of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides

Hyperlipidemia is a multifaceted metabolic disease, which is the major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine provides valuable therapeutic strategies in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Inonotus obliquus has been used in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases for a long time. To screen and isolate the fractions of I. obliquus polysaccharides (IOP) that can reduce blood lipid in the hyperlipemia animals and cell models, and investigate its mechanisms. The active component IOP-A2 was isolated, purified, and identified. In vivo, rats were randomly divided into blank control group (NG), the high-fat treatment group (MG), lovastatin group (PG), and IOP-A group. Compared with MG, the hyperlipidemic rats treated with IOP-A2 had decreased body weight and organ indexes, with the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly decreased (p < .05), and level of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly increased (p < .05). Hepatocyte steatosis in hepatic lobules was significantly reduced. In vitro, the accumulation of lipid droplets in the model of fatty degeneration of HepG2 cells was significantly alleviated, and cellular TC and TG content was significantly decreased (p < .01). Moreover, the expression of recombinant cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1) and Liver X Receptor α (LXRα) were up-regulated (p < .05) both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that IOP-A2 may exert its hypolipidemic activity by promoting cholesterol metabolism and regulating the expression of the cholesterol metabolism-related proteins CYP7A1, LXRα, SR-B1, and ABCA1.

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.

Oridonin loaded peptide nanovesicles alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

This study was to construct a nanovesicle delivery system to improve the loading efficiency and stability of ORI for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This nanovesicles (NVs) exerted a narrow size distribution (195.6 ± 11.49 nm) and high entrapment efficiency (84.46 ± 1.34%). In vitro cell studies demonstrated that the NVs treatment enhanced the cellular uptake of ORI and reduced lipid over-accumulation and total cholesterol levels in NAFLD cell model. At the same time, in vivo study proved that, compared with the normal group, the model group mice showed a decrease in body weight, a significant increase in liver index (6.71 ± 0.62, p < 0.01), and symptoms of liver lipid accumulation, lipid vesicles, and liver tissue fibrosis. Compared with the model group, after high-dose ORI NVs intervention, mice gained weight, decreased liver index (4.69 ± 0.55, p < 0.01), reduced hepatic lipid droplet vacuoles, reduced lipid accumulation (reduced oil red area, p < 0.001), and alleviated the degree of liver fibrosis (reduced blue collagen area, p < 0.001). In conclusion, ORI/HP-β-CD/H9-HePC NVs showed specific liver accumulation and improved therapeutic effects, the nano drug loading system provides a promising strategy for the encapsulation of ORI to effectively alleviate the process of NAFLD.

The promising roles of medicinal plants and bioactive compounds on hepatic lipid metabolism in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in animal models: molecular targets

Imbalance in hepatic lipid metabolism can lead to an abnormal triglycerides deposition in the hepatocytes which can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Four main mechanisms responsible for regulating hepatic lipid metabolism are fatty acid uptake, de novo lipogenesis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. Controlling the expression of transcription factors at molecular level plays a crucial role in NAFLD management. This paper reviews various medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds emphasising mechanisms involved in hepatic lipid metabolism, other important NAFLD pathological features, and their promising roles in managing NAFLD through regulating key transcription factors. Although there are many medicinal plants popularly investigated for NAFLD treatment, there is still little information and scientific evidence available and there has been no research on clinical trials scrutinised on this matter. This review also aims to provide molecular information of medicinal plants in NALFD treatment that might have potentials for future scientifically controlled studies.

Glabridin ameliorates intracellular events caused by palmitic acid and alcohol in mouse hepatocytes and fast food diet and alcohol -induced steatohepatitis and fibrosis in C57BL/6J mice model

Steatohepatitis is a significant risk factor for end-stage liver disease. In this study, the therapeutic potential of Glabridin (GBD), an isoflavan derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra, is investigated in in-vitro and in-vivo models against palmitic acid (PA) or fast food (FF) diet + alcohol (EtOH). Mouse hepatocytes (AML-12 cells) were treated with PA; 250 μM + EtOH; 250 μM ± GBD (10 μM and 25 μM) for 24 h. C57BL/6J mice fed with standard chow (SC) diet, fast food (FF) diet + intermittent oral ingestion of EtOH (10-50%v/v) ± GBD (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) for eight (8) weeks, were analyzed for histological features of steatohepatitis and fibrosis, biochemical indexes, and protein and gene expression studies related to oxidative stress, inflammation, lipogenesis, fibrosis, and apoptosis. GBD therapy considerably reduced intracellular events in AML-12 cells exposed to PA + EtOH. GBD treatments significantly improved body metrics, biochemical indexes, and histological features in C57BL/6J mice compared to FF + EtOH. Moreover, protein and gene expression investigations revealed a strong therapeutic effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, steatosis, fibrosis, and apoptosis -related molecular signaling cascades. In conclusion, these findings suggest that GBD has a strong therapeutic potential to be developed as anti-steatohepatitis/fibrosis medicine.

Microanatomy of the metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) by single-cell transcriptomics

BACKGROUND

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide and comprises non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Due to the high prevalence and poor prognosis of NASH, it is critical to identify and treat patients at risk. However, the aetiology and mechanisms remain largely unknown, warranting further analysis.

METHODS

We first identified differential genes in NASH by single-cell analysis of the GSE129516 dataset and conducted expression profiling data analysis of the GSE184019 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then single-cell trajectory reconstruction and analysis, immune gene score, cellular communication, key gene screening, functional enrichment analysis, and immune microenvironment analysis were carried out. Finally, cell experiments were performed to verify the role of key genes in NASH.

RESULTS

We conducted transcriptome profiling of 30,038 single cells, including hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes from normal and steatosis adult mouse livers. Comparative analysis of hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes revealed pronounced heterogeneity as non-hepatocytes acted as major cell-communication hubs. The results showed that Hspa1b, Tfrc, Hmox1 and Map4k4 could effectively distinguish NASH tissues from normal samples. The results of scRNA-seq and qPCR indicated that the expression levels of hub genes in NASH were significantly higher than in normal cells or tissues. Further immune infiltration analysis showed significant differences in M2 macrophage distribution between healthy and metabolic-associated fatty liver samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that Hspa1b, Tfrc, Hmox1 and Map4k4 have huge prospects as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for NASH and may be potential therapeutic targets for NASH.

Triterpenoids from the genus Ilex attenuate free fatty acid-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells by regulating lipid metabolism disorder and the AMPK signalling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Various traditional Chinese medicines from the genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) have been reported to have excellent hypolipidaemic effects. Although triterpenoids have been found to be the main active components, the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effect, structure-activity relationship and action mechanism of triterpenoids from the genus Ilex.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FFA was used to induce HepG2 cells to establish a classical lipid-lowering activity screening model for the activities of 31 triterpenoids, and the contents of intracellular lipids, TC, and TG were measured. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationship was discussed. Mechanistically, UPLC-Q/TOF-MS-based metabolomics and lipidomics studies were performed, and metabolic pathways were analysed to investigate the lipid-lowering mechanism. Moreover, western blotting was performed to analyse the expression of key proteins of lipid metabolism and predict the targets of action.

RESULTS

Thirteen triterpenoids significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and decreased the levels of TG and TC. Among them, rotundic acid (RA) showed stronger lipid-lowering activity than the simvastatin-positive group, and structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-19, hydroxymethyl groups at C-23, and carboxyl groups at C-28 may be the key groups for biological activity. Twenty-two metabolites in the metabolomics study and 19 metabolites in the lipidomics study were identified. The identified biomarkers were primarily glycerophosphocholine, LysoPCs, PCs, TAGs, LysoPEs, LysoPIs and sphingolipids, which are involved in glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism. Moreover, western blotting analysis showed that the expression of SREBP-1 and HMGCR decreased, while AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and the expression of CPT1A and CYP7A1 increased in the RA-treated group.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that triterpenoids from the genus Ilex showed significant lipid-lowering effects and that RA may be a novel hypolipidaemic drug candidate. Moreover, the underlying mechanism indicated that RA showed a lipid-lowering effect by regulating glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism and activating the AMPK pathway.

Metabolic Hijacking of Hexose Metabolism to Ascorbate Synthesis Is the Unifying Biochemical Basis of Murine Liver Fibrosis

We wished to understand the metabolic reprogramming underlying liver fibrosis progression in mice. Administration to male C57BL/6J mice of the hepatotoxins carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), thioacetamide (TAA), or a 60% high-fat diet, choline-deficient, amino-acid-defined diet (HF-CDAA) was conducted using standard protocols. Livers collected at different times were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. RNA was extracted from liver and assayed by qRT-PCR for mRNA expression of 11 genes potentially involved in the synthesis of ascorbic acid from hexoses, Gck, Adpgk, Hk1, Hk2, Ugp2, Ugdh, Ugt1a1, Akr1a4, Akr1b3, Rgn and Gulo. All hepatotoxins resulted in similar metabolic changes during active fibrogenesis, despite different etiology and resultant scarring pattern. Diminished hepatic glucose, galactose, fructose, pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, glucuronic acid and long-chain fatty acids were compensated by elevated ascorbate and the product of collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase, succinate and its downstream metabolites fumarate and malate. Recovery from the HF-CDAA diet challenge (F2 stage fibrosis) after switching to normal chow was accompanied by increased glucose, galactose, fructose, ribulose 5-phosphate, glucuronic acid, the ascorbate metabolite threonate and diminished ascorbate. During the administration of CCl4, TAA and HF-CDAA, aldose reductase Akr1b3 transcription was induced six- to eightfold, indicating increased conversion of glucuronic acid to gulonic acid, a precursor of ascorbate synthesis. Triggering hepatic fibrosis by three independent mechanisms led to the hijacking of glucose and galactose metabolism towards ascorbate synthesis, to satisfy the increased demand for ascorbate as a cofactor for prolyl 4-hydroxylase for mature collagen production. This metabolic reprogramming and causal gene expression changes were reversible. The increased flux in this pathway was mediated predominantly by increased transcription of aldose reductase Akr1b3.

Gougunao tea polysaccharides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and modulate gut microbiota

Many natural polysaccharides have been proven to have ameliorative effects on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia with fewer side effects. However, similar data on Gougunao tea polysaccharides remain obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Gougunao tea polysaccharides (GTP40) in the alleviation of hyperlipidemia and regulation of gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice induced by a high-fat diet. The results indicated that GTP40 intervention inhibited the abnormal growth of body weight and the excessive accumulation of lipid droplets in the livers and ameliorated the biochemical parameters of serum/liver related to lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemia mice. The elevated levels of antioxidant enzyme and anti-inflammation cytokine in serum, as well as the up-regulating anti-inflammation gene in the liver, reflected that GTP40 might mitigate the oxidative and inflammatory stress induced by a high-fat diet. In addition, GTP40 could modulate the composition, abundance, and diversity of gut microbiota in hyperlipidemia mice. Besides, Spearman's correlation analysis implied that GTP40 intervention could enrich beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Roseburia, and Alistipes), and decrease harmful bacteria (e.g., Blautia, Faecalibaculum, Streptococcus, and norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae), which were correlated with the lipid metabolic parameters associated with hyperlipidemia. Moreover, it also indicated that there was a significant correlation between gut microbiota and SCFAs. Thus, GTP40 may be a novel strategy against fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as restoring the normal microbial balance of the gut in hyperlipidemia mice.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Pathogenesis and Natural Products for Prevention and Treatment

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, affecting approximately one-quarter of the global population, and has become a world public health issue. NAFLD is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by hepatic steatosis, excluding ethanol and other definite liver damage factors. Recent studies have shown that the development of NAFLD is associated with lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and lipotoxicity. A range of natural products have been reported as regulators of NAFLD in vivo and in vitro. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of NAFLD and some natural products that have been shown to have therapeutic effects on NAFLD. Our work shows that natural products can be a potential therapeutic option for NAFLD.

Lactobacillus paracasei HY7015 and Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Extract Promotes Human Dermal Papilla Cell Cytoprotective Effect and Hair Regrowth Rate in C57BL/6 Mice

Hair loss is a disease that requires accurate diagnosis and type-specific medical treatment. Many hair loss treatments have some side effects, such as hormone-related effects, so there is a need for safe and effective hair loss treatment. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei HY7015 (HY7015) and Lycopus lucidus Turcz. (LT) extract on hair regrowth and protection. In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the effects of HY7015 and/or LT extract on human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) of cytoprotective functions such as proliferations, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and growth factor expressions. In animal experiments, we investigated hair regrowth rate, hair follicle formation and secretion of growth factors in telogenic C57BL/6 mice. We confirmed the cytoprotective effects of HY7015 and LT through regulations of proliferation, SOD and IL-1β in HFDPC. In mouse experiments, oral administration of HY7015 and LT promoted hair regrowth as well as hair follicle maturation in the dermal skin of C57BL/6 mice, and upregulated VEGF and IGF-1 growth factor levels in mouse serum. In summary, our data demonstrate that ingestions of HY7015 and LT can promote hair regrowth by enhancing cytoprotective effects and expressions of growth factors.

Ethanol Extract of Licorice Alleviates HFD-Induced Liver Fat Accumulation in Association with Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Metabolites in Obesity Mice

As a traditional Chinese medicine, licorice is often used in functional foods for its health benefits. However, the role of gut microbiota in the efficacy of licorice has not yet been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that the involvement of intestinal flora may be a key link in licorice ethanol extract (LEE)-induced health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LEE improves hepatic lipid accumulation in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and whether the gut microbiota plays a key role in LEE treatment. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed HFD for liver fat accumulation and then treated with LEE. The same experiments were later performed using pseudo-sterile mice to verify the importance of gut flora. Supplementation with LEE improved the obesity profile, lipid profile and liver fat accumulation in HFD mice. In addition, LEE treatment improved intestinal flora dysbiosis caused by HFD in mice, as evidenced by a decrease in the percentage of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and an increase in the abundance of known anti-obesity-related bacteria. However, LEE failed to exhibit a therapeutic effect in pseudo-sterile mice. The results of the cellular assay showed that glycyrrhetic acid (GA), the main conversion product of glycyrrhizin (GL), was more effective in reducing fat accumulation and intracellular TG content in hepatocytes compared to GL. In conclusion, our data suggest that LEE attenuates obesity and hepatic fat accumulation in HFD mice, which may be associated with modulating the composition of gut microbiota and the conversion of LLE by the intestinal flora.

The Potential of Lamiaceae Herbs for Mitigation of Overweight, Obesity, and Fatty Liver: Studies and Perspectives

Numerous plants, plant extracts, and plant-derived compounds are being explored for their beneficial effects against overweight and liver diseases. Obesity is associated with the increased prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), becoming the most common liver disease in Western countries. Obesity and NAFLD are closely associated with many other metabolic alternations such as insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. Many herbs of the Lamiaceae family are widely employed as food and spices in the Mediterranean area, but also in folk medicine, and their use for the management of metabolic disorders is well documented. Hereby, we summarized the scientific results of the medicinal and nutraceutical potential of plants from the Lamiaceae family for prevention and mitigation of overweight and fatty liver. The evidence indicates that Lamiaceae plants may be a cost-effective source of nutraceuticals and/or phytochemicals to be used in the management of metabolic-related conditions such as obesity and NAFLD. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and SciFinder were accessed to collect data on traditional medicinal plants, compounds derived from plants, their reported anti-obesity mechanisms, and therapeutic targets.

Reducing VEGFB accelerates NAFLD and insulin resistance in mice via inhibiting AMPK signaling pathway

Objective

Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB) was regarded to improve lipid metabolism and reduce obesity-related hyperlipidemia. Whether VEGFB participates in lipid metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been clear yet. This study investigated the involvement of VEGFB in lipid metabolism and insulin resistance via the AMPK signaling pathway in NAFLD.

Methods

We constructed the animal and cell model of NAFLD after VEGFB gene knockout to detect liver damage and metabolism in NAFLD. Bioinformatics analysis of VEGFB and the AMPK signaling pathway relative genes to verify the differential proteins. And mRNA levels of NAFLD fatty acid metabolism-related genes were detected.

Results

After the systemic VEGFB knockout mice were fed with high fat, the body fat, serum lipoprotein, NAFLD score, and insulin resistance were increased. Animal and cell experiments showed that the expression levels of phosphorylated proteins of CaMKK2 and AMPK decreased, the expression of proteins related to AMPK/ACC/CPT1 signaling pathway decreased, and the target genes CPT1α and Lcad decreased accordingly, reducing fatty acid oxidation in hepatocyte mitochondria; The expression of AMPK/SREBP1/Scd1 signaling pathway relative proteins increased, ACC1 and FAS increased correspondingly, which increased lipid synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Conclusion

VEGFB can participate in lipid metabolism and insulin resistance of NAFLD through the AMPK signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03540-2.

Lycopus lucidus Turcz Water Extract Ameliorates the Metabolic Disorder by Up-Regulated Major Urinary Protein Expression in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Despite a century of research on obesity, metabolic disorders and their complications, including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease remain a serious global health problem. Lycopus lucidus Turcz (LT) is a traditional medicine used for its anti-inflammatory properties that has not been evaluated for its efficacy in improving obesity. In this study, mice were fed a normal diet (n = 10) or obesity was induced with a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 20, 60% kcal from fat) for 4 weeks. The HFD mice were then divided into two groups, one of which received LT supplementation with water extract for 13 weeks [HFD (n = 10) or HFD with LT water extract (n = 10, 1.5%)]. LT reduced body and adipose tissue weight by elevating energy expenditure by increasing fatty oxidation in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and muscle. LT ameliorated dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis by restricting lipogenesis. Additionally, LT normalized the impaired glucose homeostasis by diet-induced obesity to improve pancreatic islet dysfunction with increasing hepatic major urinary protein expression. Moreover, LT attenuated the inflammation and collagen accumulation in the liver and eWAT. In conclusion, these results suggest that LT can treat obesity-related metabolic disorders such as adiposity, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

Aromatic Acids and Leucine Derivatives Produced from the Deep-Sea Actinomycetes Streptomyceschumphonensis SCSIO15079 with Antihyperlipidemic Activities

Six new aromatic acids (1–6) and three new leucine derivatives containing an unusual oxime moiety (7–9) were isolated and identified from the deep-sea-derived actinomycetes strain Streptomyces chumphonensis SCSIO15079, together with two known compounds (10–11). The structures of 1–9 including absolute configurations were determined by detailed NMR, MS, and experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for their antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activities, as well as their effects on intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Compounds 3 and 4, with the most potent inhibitory activity on intracellular lipid accumulation at 10 μM, were revealed with potential antihyperlipidemic effects, although the mechanism needs to be further studied.

Lycopus maackianus Makino MeOH Extract Exhibits Antioxidant and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects in Neuronal Cells and Zebrafish Model

Lycopus maackianus Makino belongs to the Labiatae family and is used in traditional medicine to manage postpartum edema and boils. However, few studies on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been conducted. Here, the compounds in L. maackianus methanol (MeOH) extract were profiled using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant activity of L. maackianus MeOH extract was shown to increase in a concentration-dependent manner by investigating the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity. Next, in lipopolysaccharide-treated BV2 cells, L. maackianus extract inactivated the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, inhibiting nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α production and inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. Furthermore, L. maackianus extract protected against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. L. maackianus MeOH extract induced heme oxygenase-1 expression and increased the translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 in the nucleus, thus exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, the in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were demonstrated in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model treated with hydrogen peroxide and lipopolysaccharide. MeOH L. maackianus extract showed antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects by increasing the expression of heme oxygenase-1, establishing its therapeutic potential for neuroinflammatory diseases.

Clitorin ameliorates western diet-induced hepatic steatosis by regulating lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in vivo and in vitro

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is usually correlated with metabolic diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effects and underlying governing mechanism of clitorin in a western diet (WD)-induced hepatic steatosis mouse model, and in oleic acid-stimulated HepG2 cells. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet, WD, WD + 10 or 20 mg/kg orlistat, and WD + 10 or 20 mg/kg clitorin. HepG2 cells were treated with 1 mM oleic acid to induce lipid accumulation with or without clitorin. Clitorin significantly alleviated body weight gain and hepatic steatosis features (NAFLD activity score, micro-, and macro-vesicular steatosis) in WD-induced hepatic steatosis mice. Additionally, clitorin significantly decreased protein expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) in WD-induced hepatic steatosis mice. Moreover, clitorin significantly diminished the mRNA levels of SREBP1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and enhanced the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and carnitine palmitoyltranserase-1 (CTP-1), as well as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver of WD-induced hepatic steatosis mice and oleic acid-stimulated HepG2 cells. Overall, our findings demonstrated that clitorin can be a potentially efficacious candidate for NAFLD management.

Construction of Glycogen-Based Nanoparticles Loaded with Resveratrol for the Alleviation of High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The purpose of this study was to construct a glycogen (Gly)-based nanoparticle (NP) with liver-targeted and redox response to effectively deliver resveratrol (Res) for improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Herein, Gly was modified using α-lipoic acid (α-LA) and lactobionic acid (Lac) to obtain an amphiphilic polymer (Gly-LA-Lac), which was self-assembled in water and then encapsulated in Res to form Res NPs with excellent stability. As expected, the Res NPs exhibited liver-targeted and redox response release behavior. In vitro cell studies demonstrated that the nanocarrier treatment enhanced the cellular uptake of Res and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory factor levels. Meanwhile, the in vivo tests proved that the nanocarriers effectively reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels via regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway to improve liver damage in NAFLD mice. In conclusion, this study provides a promising strategy through the construction of Gly-based nanocarriers for the encapsulation of Res to effectively alleviate the process of NAFLD.

Evodiamine Lowers Blood Lipids by Up-Regulating the PPARγ/ABCG1 Pathway in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice

The natural alkaloid evodiamine enhances cholesterol efflux from cultured THP-1-derived macrophages, but whether it has any impact on blood lipids in vivo remains unknown. In this study, the effect of evodiamine on hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated in mice. Intragastric administrations of evodiamine (10 and 20 mg/kg) for 8 weeks resulted in a significant improvement of metabolic lipid profiles by reducing the plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Evodiamine also significantly decreased hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatic total bile acids (TBA). Mechanistically, evodiamine increased ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) mRNA and protein expression and up-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression in the liver. Taken together, the natural product evodiamine lowers blood lipids in HFD-fed mice likely through promoting the PPARγ-ABCG1 signaling pathway.

A Novel Identified Peptide Hormone "Metabolitin" Attenuates Lipid Absorption in the Small Intestine of Diabetic Mice with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Neurotensin and AMPK Signaling Pathway

AIM

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a novel identified peptide hormone "metabolitin" on lipid absorption in the small intestine of mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and potential mechanisms.

METHODS

T2DM was induced in mice by 4-6 weeks of high-fat diets followed by intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg STZ. NAFLD was induced in diabetic mice by a month of high-fat diets. Oral administration of 4 pmol/g or 12 pmol/g metabolitin every two days was performed during one-month high-fat diets. Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) detection and Oil Red O staining were performed to evaluate lipid absorption. The neurotensin (NT) levels in the intestinal tissues and serum were determined by ELISA. Lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related proteins, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and p-AMPK were examined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

It was found that glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), TG, and TC indicated lower levels in the serum of NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin compared to the mice receiving normal saline (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in the TC level of the feces among mice with different diets (P > 0.05), but compared to NAFLD/T2DM mice with normal saline, the mice administrated with 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin revealed much higher TG levels in the feces (P < 0.05). The results of Oil Red O staining revealed that the intestinal epithelial cells of NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 12 pmol/g metabolitin indicated resistance to lipid absorption and the area of staining was smaller than that of NAFLD/T2DM mice with normal saline (P < 0.05). The NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin showed a higher extent of p-AMPK concomitant with lower levels of NT in the serum and small intestine than the mice with normal saline (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis also suggested that NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin revealed lower expressions in fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 (SREBP1) proteins and higher expressions in carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and fatty acid translocase (CD36) proteins than NAFLD/T2DM mice with normal saline (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the data we observed, oral administration of metabolitin could attenuate lipid absorption in the small intestine of NAFLD/T2DM mice, which may be a novel therapeutic approach for NAFLD/T2DM.

Effect of Fractions from Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Leaves on Genomic DNA Oxidation and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

We investigated the inhibitory effects of fractions from Lycopus lucidus Turcz. leaves on genomic DNA oxidation, nitric oxide (NO) production and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Oxidative damage of genomic DNA was detected after Fenton reaction with H₂O₂ using DNA electrophoresis. Western blotting was performed to compare the expression levels of MMP-2 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced HT-1080 cells. Lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells was measured using Griess reagent.

RESULTS

All fractions (n-Hexane, 85% aq. MeOH, n-BuOH, and water fractions) from the leaves of L. lucidus Turcz. significantly inhibited intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p<0.05). Particularly, 85% aq. MeOH and n-BuOH fractions showed higher ROS inhibitory activity than the other fractions. n-Hexane, 85% aq. MeOH, n-BuOH and water (0.05 mg/mL) fractions significantly inhibited oxidative DNA damage by 57.97%, 68.48%, 58.97%, and 68.39%, respectively (p <0.05). Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with each fraction reduced LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). n-Hexane and 85% aq. MeOH fractions notably reduced MMP-2 secretion levels of in the culture supernatants from HT-1080 cells.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results indicated that L. lucidus Turcz. leaves can be exploited as plant based sources of antioxidants in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and food industries.

Lampaya Medicinalis Phil. decreases lipid-induced triglyceride accumulation and proinflammatory markers in human hepatocytes and fat body of Drosophila melanogaster

BACKGROUND

Excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation (steatosis) commonly observed in obesity, may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Altered regulation of intracellular lipid droplets (LD) and TG metabolism, as well as activation of JNK-mediated proinflammatory pathways may trigger liver steatosis-related disorders. Drosophila melanogaster is an animal model used for studying obesity and its associated disorders. In Drosophila, lipids and glycogen are stored in the fat body (FB), which resembles mammalian adipose tissue and liver. Dietary oversupply leads to obesity-related disorders, which are characterized by FB dysfunction. Infusions of Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) are used in folk medicine of Chile to counteract inflammatory diseases. Hydroethanolic extract of lampaya (HEL) contains considerable amounts of flavonoids that may explain its anti-inflammatory effect.

METHODS

We studied whether HEL affects palmitic acid (PA, C16:0) and oleic acid (OA; C18:1)-induced TG accumulation and proinflammatory marker content in HepG2 hepatocytes as well as impaired lipid storage and proinflammatory molecule expression in Drosophila melanogaster fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

RESULTS

In HepG2 hepatocytes, exposure to OA/PA elevated TG content, FABP4, ATGL and DGAT2 expression, and the JNK proinflammatory pathway, as well as TNF-α and IL-6 production, while diminished FAS expression. These effects were prevented by HEL co-treatment. In Drosophila larvae fed a HFD, HEL prevented TG accumulation and downregulated proinflammatory JNK pathway activation.

CONCLUSION

HEL effect counteracting OA/PA- and HFD-induced lipid accumulation and proinflammatory marker expression in HepG2 hepatocytes and Drosophila larvae may represent a preventive approach against hepatic steatosis and inflammation, associated to obesity and NAFLD.

Natural Piperine Improves Lipid Metabolic Profile of High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice by Upregulating SR-B1 and ABCG8 Transporters

Natural piperine from black pepper is known to function as hypocholesterolemic agent, but how it lowers the blood cholesterol remains unclear. In this study, we found that intragastric administrations of piperine (25 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks significantly reduced the plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. H&E staining indicated that piperine significantly decreased hepatic lipid accumulation compared with the control group. The Oil Red O staining further showed that piperine attenuated lipid deposition in liver HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Mechanistically, piperine treatment caused a significant upregulation of hepatic scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) in the liver and transporter protein of ATP binding cassette SGM8 (ABCG8) in the small intestine. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the role of natural piperine in improving lipid metabolic profile that is involved in the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)-mediated mechanism through upregulation of SR-B1 in the liver and ABCG8 in the small intestine.

Capsiate Intake with Exercise Training Additively Reduces Fat Deposition in Mice on a High-Fat Diet, but Not without Exercise Training

While exercise training (ET) is an efficient strategy to manage obesity, it is recommended with a dietary plan to maximize the antiobesity functions owing to a compensational increase in energy intake. Capsiate is a notable bioactive compound for managing obesity owing to its capacity to increase energy expenditure. We aimed to examine whether the antiobesity effects of ET can be further enhanced by capsiate intake (CI) and determine its effects on resting energy expenditure and metabolic molecules. Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) and fed high-fat diet. Mild-intensity treadmill ET was conducted five times/week; capsiate (10 mg/kg) was orally administered daily. After 8 weeks, resting metabolic rate and metabolic molecules were analyzed. ET with CI additively reduced the abdominal fat rate by 18% and solely upregulated beta-3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue (p = 0.013) but did not affect the metabolic molecules in skeletal muscles. Surprisingly, CI without ET significantly increased the abdominal fat rate (p = 0.001) and reduced energy expenditure by 9%. Therefore, capsiate could be a candidate compound for maximizing the antiobesity effects of ET by upregulating beta-3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue, but CI without ET may not be beneficial in managing obesity.

The correlation between neck circumference and risk factors in patients with hypertension: What matters

It is necessary to identify the relationship between neck circumference and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension.Patients with hypertension treated in our hospital were included. The height, weight, neck circumference, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, 2 h blood glucose (2hPPG), density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed and compared.A total of 2860 patients with hypertension were included. There were significant differences between male and female patients in the neck circumference, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-C, LDL-C, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, drinking and smoking (all P < .05); the neck circumference was positively correlated with waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, 2hPPG, HbA1c, triacylglycerol and LDL-C (all P < .05), and negatively correlated with HDL-C (P = .014); as the neck circumference increases, the risk of hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia increases accordingly (all P < .05); the area under curve (AUC) was 0.827 and 0.812, and the neck circumference of 37.8 and 33.9 cm was the best cut-off point for male and female patients, respectively.Neck circumference is closely related to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension, which should be promoted in the screening of cardiovascular diseases.

Modeling Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rodents

Standardized animal models represent one of the most valuable tools available to understand the mechanism underlying the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to seek for new therapeutic strategies. However, there is considerable variability in the studies conducted with this essential purpose. This review presents an updated discussion of the most recent studies using diverse experimental conditions to induce MetS in rodents with unbalanced diets, discusses the key findings in metabolic outcomes, and critically evaluates what we have been learned from them and how to advance in the field. The study includes scientific reports sourced from the Web of Science and PubMed databases, published between January 2013 and June 2020, which used hypercaloric diets to induce metabolic disorders, and address the impact of the diet on metabolic parameters. The collected data are used as support to discuss variables such as sex, species, and age of the animals, the most favorable type of diet, and the ideal diet length to generate metabolic changes. The experimental characteristics propose herein improve the performance of a preclinical model that resembles the human MetS and will guide researchers to investigate new therapeutic alternatives with confidence and higher translational validity.

Semantic text mining in early drug discovery for type 2 diabetes

Background

Surveying the scientific literature is an important part of early drug discovery; and with the ever-increasing amount of biomedical publications it is imperative to focus on the most interesting articles. Here we present a project that highlights new understanding (e.g. recently discovered modes of action) and identifies potential drug targets, via a novel, data-driven text mining approach to score type 2 diabetes (T2D) relevance. We focused on monitoring trends and jumps in T2D relevance to help us be timely informed of important breakthroughs.

Methods

We extracted over 7 million n-grams from PubMed abstracts and then clustered around 240,000 linked to T2D into almost 50,000 T2D relevant ‘semantic concepts’. To score papers, we weighted the concepts based on co-mentioning with core T2D proteins. A protein’s T2D relevance was determined by combining the scores of the papers mentioning it in the five preceding years. Each week all proteins were ranked according to their T2D relevance. Furthermore, the historical distribution of changes in rank from one week to the next was used to calculate the significance of a change in rank by T2D relevance for each protein.

Results

We show that T2D relevant papers, even those not mentioning T2D explicitly, were prioritised by relevant semantic concepts. Well known T2D proteins were therefore enriched among the top scoring proteins. Our ‘high jumpers’ identified important past developments in the apprehension of how certain key proteins relate to T2D, indicating that our method will make us aware of future breakthroughs. In summary, this project facilitated keeping up with current T2D research by repeatedly providing short lists of potential novel targets into our early drug discovery pipeline.

Obesity induces preadipocyte CD36 expression promoting inflammation via the disruption of lysosomal calcium homeostasis and lysosome function

Background

Preadipocyte is closely related to obesity-induced inflammation. The impairment of autophagic flux by defective lysosomal function has been observed in adipose tissue from obese mice. While the fatty acid translocase CD36 is an important immuno-metabolic receptor, it remains unclear whether preadipocyte CD36 is involved in adipose tissue inflammation and whether CD36 regulates lysosomal function.

Methods

Using visceral adipose tissue from obese patients, a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice model, primary mouse preadipocytes and 3T3L1 cells we analyzed whether and how preadipocyte CD36 modulates lysosomal function and adipose tissue inflammation.

Findings

CD36 expression in preadipocytes is induced in obese patients and HFD-fed mice, accompanied with the disruption of lysosome function. CD36 knockout protects primary preadipocytes of HFD-fed mice from lysosomal impairment. In vitro, CD36 interacts with Fyn to phosphorylate and activate Inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R1), causing excess calcium transport from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to lysosome, which results in lysosomal impairment and inflammation. Moreover, IP3R inhibitor 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) attenuates lysosomal impairment, inflammation and lipid accumulation in CD36-overexpressing preadipocytes.

Interpretation

Our data support that the abnormal upregulation of CD36 in preadipocytes may contribute to the development of adipose tissue inflammation. CD36/Fyn/IP3R1-mediated lysosomal calcium overload leads to lysosomal impairment and inflammation in preadipocyte. Thus targeting improving lysosomal calcium homeostasis may represent a novel strategy for treating obesity-induced inflammation.

Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases-Efficacy, Action Mechanism, and Clinical Application

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease with high prevalence in the developed countries. NAFLD has been considered as one of the leading causes of cryptogenic cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. The individuals with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension cardiovascular disease have a high risk to develop NAFLD. The related critical pathological events are associated with the development of NAFLD including insulin resistance, lipid metabolism dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. The development of NAFLD range from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Hepatic steatosis is characterized by fat accumulation, which represents the early stage of NAFLD. Then, inflammation triggered by steatosis drives early NAFLD progression into NASH. Therefore, the amelioration of steatosis and inflammation is essential for NAFLD therapy. The herbal medicine have taken great effects on the improvement of steatosis and inflammation for treating NAFLD. It has been found out that these effects involved the multiple mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and inflammation. In this review, we pay particular attention on herbal medicine treatment and make summary about the research of herbal medicine, including herb formula, herb extract and naturals compound on NAFLD. We make details about their protective effects, the mechanism of action involved in the amelioration steatosis and inflammation for NAFLD therapy as well as the clinical application.

Isolation and purification of acidic polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei Murill and evaluation of their lipid-lowering mechanism

Polysaccharides are important active constituents of Agaricus blazei Morrill. In the present study, WABM-A was isolated from WABM using DEAE-cellulose, and subsequently purified using sepharose CL-6B to obtain the acidic polysaccharide WABM-A-b. WABM-A-b is mainly composed of Glc dextran, with a molecular weight of 10 KDa and β-1,6-D-Glcp as its main chain. The results of in vivo experiments show that in comparison with the MG, WABM-A significantly reduced the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, increased the serum levels of HDL-C (P < 0.01), and upregulated the liver expression of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 in rats with hyperlipidemia (P < 0.05). The results of in vitro experiments show that in comparison with the MG group, WABM-A-b-H significantly reduced the levels of TC and TG in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid (P < 0.01), and significantly upregulated the protein expression of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that WABM-A-b is an acidic glucan with lipid-lowering activity. The lipid-lowering mechanism of WABM-A-b is via the activation of the PPARγ/LXRα/ABCA1/ABCG1 cholesterol metabolism pathway. This is the first time that the hypolipidemic effect of Agaricus blazei Morrill acidic polysaccharides has been reported.

Free Fatty Acids Promote the Development of Prostate Cancer by Upregulating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma

Introduction

As one of the most common forms of cancer that threatens men's health, prostate cancer (PCa) is under a trend of increasing morbidity and mortality in most countries. More and more studies have pointed out that obesity is closely linked to the occurrence and development of PCa, although there are still many undiscovered molecular mechanisms between the two.

Methods

In the present study, we compare serum lipid levels in patients with PCa and normal individuals. PCa cells (PC3 and 22RV1) were cultured in vitro, the TC/TG/HDL/GLU assay kit was used to detect the glucose and lipid metabolism level of PCa cells, the flow cytometry technique was used to detect the proliferation ability of PCa cells, and the Transwell was used to detect the invasion and migration ability of PCa cells. Western blot/quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and vimentin/vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression levels, and immunohistochemistry was used to observe tumor-associated gene expression levels in nude mice. All data were analysed using the Independent samples t-test or rank sum test.

Results

We found higher levels of FFA in the serum of patients with PCa. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that high levels of FFA can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of two PCa cells (PC3 and 22RV1) and affect the energy metabolism of PCa cells. The upregulated PPARγ plays a key role in this process, and vimentin may be involved in this signaling pathway.

Conclusion

We infer that high levels of FFA may promote PCa development by upregulating PPARγ expression.