S-glutathionylation in hepatocytes is involved in arsenic-induced liver fibrosis through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an effect alleviated by NAC

Arsenic, a toxicant widely distributed in the environment, is considered as a risk factor for liver fibrosis. At present, the underlying mechanism still needs to be explored. In the present study, we found that, for mice, chronic exposure to arsenic induced liver fibrosis, activated the NLRP3 inflammasome, and increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). After hepatocytes were co-cultured with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we observed the arsenic-activated NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatocytes, and the co-cultured HSCs were activated. Further, we found that, in livers of mice, arsenic disturbed GSH metabolism and promoted protein S-glutathionylation. A 3D molecular docking simulation suggested that NLRP3 binds with GSH, which was confirmed by immunoprecipitation experiments. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) increased the levels of GSH in hepatocytes, which suppressed the S-glutathionylation of NLRP3 and blocked arsenic-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Mechanistically, an imbalance of the redox state induced by arsenic promotes the S-glutathionylation of NLRP3, which regulates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading into the activation of HSCs. Moreover, NAC increases the levels of GSH to block arsenic-induced S-glutathionylation of NLRP3, thereby blocking arsenic-induced liver fibrosis. Thus, via activating HSCs, the S-glutathionylation of NLRP3 in hepatocytes is involved in arsenic-induced liver fibrosis, and, for hepatocytes, NAC alleviates these effects by increasing the levels of GSH. These results reveal a new mechanism and provide a possible therapeutic target for the liver fibrosis induced by environmental factors.

Radix rehmanniae praeparata extracts ameliorate hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by reversing LRP1-NOTCH1-C/EBPβ axis-mediated senescence fate of LSECs

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is commonly observed in cases of extensive hepatic resection and involves complex mechanisms. Cell senescence has been recognized as a factor in liver injury including HIRI, where it presents as a pro-inflammatory phenotype called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (RRP) is a commonly utilized traditional Chinese medicine known for its hepatoprotective, anti-aging and antioxidant qualities. Despite its recognized benefits, the specific mechanisms by which RRP may impede the progression of HIRI through the regulation of cell senescence and the identification of the most potent anti-aging extracts from RRP remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we first applied different chemical analysis methods to identify the RRP aqueous extract (RRPAE) and active fractions of RRP. Next, we constructed a surgically established mouse model and a hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR)-stimulated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) model to explore the underlying mechanism of RRP against HIRI through transcriptomics and multiple molecular biology experiments.

RESULTS

After identifying active ingredients in RRP, we observed that RRP and its factions effectively restored LSECs fenestration and improved inflammation, cellular swelling and vascular continuity in the hepatic sinusoidal region during HIRI. Transcriptomic results revealed that RRP might reverse HIRI-induced senescence through the NOTCH signaling pathway and cell categorization further showed that the senescent cell population in HIRI liver was primarily LSECs rather than other cell types. Different RRPAE, especially RRP glucoside (RRPGLY), improved LSECs senescence and suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory SASP genes either induced by HR insult or NOTCH1 activator, which was accompanied with the inhibition of LRP1-NOTCH1-C/EBPβ pathways. Additionally, the specific inhibition of NOTCH1 by siRNA synergistically enhanced the hepatoprotective effect of RRPGLY. The ChIP-qPCR results further showed that C/EBPβ was enriched at the promoter of a representative SASP, Il-1β, in hypoxic LSECs but was significantly inhibited by RRPGLY.

CONCLUSION

Our study not only clarified the potential mechanism of RRP active extractions in alleviating HIRI, but also highlighted RRPGLY was the main component of RRP that exerted anti-aging and anti-HIRI effects, providing a fresh perspective on the use of RRP to improve HIRI.

A microbial metabolite inhibits the HIF-2α-ceramide pathway to mediate the beneficial effects of time-restricted feeding on MASH

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a potent dietary intervention for improving metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASLD/MASH). However, the mechanism of this efficacy has remained elusive. Here, we show that TRF improves MASLD, which is associated with a significant enrichment of Ruminococcus torques (R. torques). Mechanistically, R. torques suppresses the intestinal HIF-2α-ceramide pathway via the production of 2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid (HMP). We identify rtMor as a 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate reductase that synthesizes HMP in R. torques. Finally, we show that either the colonization of R. torques or oral HMP supplementation can ameliorate inflammation and fibrosis in a MASH mouse model. These findings identify R. torques and HMP as potential TRF mimetics for the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Integration of Lipidomics and Transcriptomics Identifies the Regulation of Lipid Homeostasis as Potential Mechanisms of Konjac Glucomannan against Hepatic Steatosis

Hepatic steatosis is characterized by substantial disruption in the liver's lipid level regulation. Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is acknowledged as a nutritious food that has the potential to prevent hyperlipidemia. This study utilized lipidomics and transcriptomics to investigate the efficacy of KGM in alleviating high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis by regulating lipid homeostasis. The findings indicated that supplementation of KGM for a duration of 10 weeks led to significant decreases in body weight, liver weight, and epididymal fat tissue weight. Furthermore, improvements in lipid concentrations in plasma and liver samples were observed, along with enhancements in glucose tolerance and the mitigation of liver damage. Additionally, lipidomics analysis revealed that the primary differential lipid metabolites were mainly associated with fatty acid metabolism pathways. Transcriptomic analysis showed that KGM significantly altered the gene expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway in the liver. Moreover, KGM demonstrated a significant regulatory impact on the hepatic expression of PPARγ, potentially mitigating hepatic steatosis through modulation of the PPARγ-mediated lipid metabolism pathway. In conclusion, these findings suggest that KGM effectively mitigates steatosis by modulating hepatic lipid metabolites and controlling PPARγ-mediated genes in the liver.

Bacteroides fragilis aggravates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating lipid metabolism and remodeling gut microbiota

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a prominent determinant that significantly contributes to the disruption of lipid metabolism. Consequently, it is essential to the occurrence and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nevertheless, the connection between diet and symbiotic gut microbiota in the progression of NAFLD remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of supplementing commensal Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) on lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and metabolites in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, elucidating the impact of gut microbiota and metabolites on the development of NAFLD. Our study revealed that supplementation with B. fragilis exacerbated both weight gain and obesity in mice. B. fragilis exacerbated blood glucose levels and liver dysfunction in mice. Furthermore, an increase in liver lipid accumulation and the upregulation of genes correlated with lipid metabolism were observed in mice. Under an HFD, supplementation of commensal B. fragilis resulted in alterations in the gut microbiota, notably a significant increase in Desulfovibrionaceae, which led to elevated endotoxin levels and thereby influenced the progression of NAFLD. It was interesting that the simultaneous examination of gut microbiota metabolites revealed a more pronounced impact of diet on short-chain fatty acids. This study represented the pioneering investigation into the impact of B. fragilis on NAFLD. Our findings demonstrated that B. fragilis induced dysregulation in the intestinal microbiota, leading to elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide and dysfunction in glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby exacerbating NAFLD.IMPORTANCESome intestinal symbiotic microbes are involved in the occurrence of the metabolic disorders. Our study investigated the impact of supplementing commensal Bacteroides fragilis on host metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice. Research results indicated that adding a specific bacterial strain to the complex intestinal microecology can worsen metabolic conditions. This effect mainly affects the structural diversity of intestinal microorganisms, the increase in harmful bacteria in the gut, and the elevation of endotoxin levels, blood glucose, and lipid metabolism, thereby impacting the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Understanding the principles that govern the establishment of microbial communities comprising multiple species is crucial for preventing or repairing dysfunctions in these communities, thereby enhancing host health and facilitating disease treatment. This study demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis could contribute to metabolic dysfunction and provides new insights into how to promote gut microbiota in the prevention and therapy of NAFLD.

Role of CD36 in central nervous system diseases

CD36 is a highly glycosylated integral membrane protein that belongs to the scavenger receptor class B family and regulates the pathological progress of metabolic diseases. CD36 was recently found to be widely expressed in various cell types in the nervous system, including endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and microglia. CD36 mediates a number of regulatory processes, such as endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory responses, which are involved in many central nervous system diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury. CD36 antagonists can suppress CD36 expression or prevent CD36 binding to its ligand, thereby achieving inhibition of CD36-mediated pathways or functions. Here, we reviewed the mechanisms of action of CD36 antagonists, such as Salvianolic acid B, tanshinone IIA, curcumin, sulfosuccinimidyl oleate, antioxidants, and small-molecule compounds. Moreover, we predicted the structures of binding sites between CD36 and antagonists. These sites can provide targets for more efficient and safer CD36 antagonists for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Recent advances in age-related metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects approximately 25% of the world's population and has become a leading cause of chronic liver disease. In recent years, an increasing amount of data suggests that MASLD is associated with aging. As the population ages, age-related MASLD will become a major global health problem. Targeting an aging will become a new approach to the treatment of MASLD. This paper reviews the current studies on the role of aging-related factors and therapeutic targets in MASLD, including: Oxidative stress, autophagy, mitochondrial homeostasis, bile acid metabolism homeostasis, and dysbiosis. The aim is to identify effective therapeutic targets for age-related MASLD and its progression.

The influence of the gut microbiome on ovarian aging

Ovarian aging occurs prior to the aging of other organ systems and acts as the pacemaker of the aging process of multiple organs. As life expectancy has increased, preventing ovarian aging has become an essential goal for promoting extended reproductive function and improving bone and genitourinary conditions related to ovarian aging in women. An improved understanding of ovarian aging may ultimately provide tools for the prediction and mitigation of this process. Recent studies have suggested a connection between ovarian aging and the gut microbiota, and alterations in the composition and functional profile of the gut microbiota have profound consequences on ovarian function. The interaction between the gut microbiota and the ovaries is bidirectional. In this review, we examine current knowledge on ovary-gut microbiota crosstalk and further discuss the potential role of gut microbiota in anti-aging interventions. Microbiota-based manipulation is an appealing approach that may offer new therapeutic strategies to delay or reverse ovarian aging.

Thioredoxin/Glutaredoxin Systems and Gut Microbiota in NAFLD: Interplay, Mechanism, and Therapeutical Potential

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common clinical disease, and its pathogenesis is closely linked to oxidative stress and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Recently accumulating evidence indicates that the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems, the two thiol-redox dependent antioxidant systems, are the key players in the NAFLD's development and progression. However, the effects of gut microbiota dysbiosis on the liver thiol-redox systems are not well clarified. This review explores the role and mechanisms of oxidative stress induced by bacteria in NAFLD while emphasizing the crucial interplay between gut microbiota dysbiosis and Trx mediated-redox regulation. The paper explores how dysbiosis affects the production of specific gut microbiota metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), amino acids, bile acid, and alcohol. These metabolites, in turn, significantly impact liver inflammation, lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and cellular damage through thiol-dependent redox signaling. It suggests that comprehensive approaches targeting both gut microbiota dysbiosis and the thiol-redox antioxidant system are essential for effectively preventing and treating NAFLD. Overall, comprehending the intricate relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and thiol-redox systems in NAFLD holds significant promise in enhancing patient outcomes and fostering the development of innovative therapeutic interventions.

Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Potential Gut-Liver Crosstalks in the Lipogenesis of Chicken

Growing evidence has shown the involvement of the gut-liver axis in lipogenesis and fat deposition. However, how the gut crosstalk with the liver and the potential role of gut-liver crosstalk in the lipogenesis of chicken remains largely unknown. In this study, to identify gut-liver crosstalks involved in regulating the lipogenesis of chicken, we first established an HFD-induced obese chicken model. Using this model, we detected the changes in the metabolic profiles of the cecum and liver in response to the HFD-induced excessive lipogenesis using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis. The changes in the gene expression profiles of the liver were examined by RNA sequencing. The potential gut-liver crosstalks were identified by the correlation analysis of key metabolites and genes. The results showed that a total of 113 and 73 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) between NFD and HFD groups were identified in the chicken cecum and liver, respectively. Eleven DAMs overlayed between the two comparisons, in which ten DAMs showed consistent abundance trends in the cecum and liver after HFD feeding, suggesting their potential as signaling molecules between the gut and liver. RNA sequencing identified 271 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver of chickens fed with NFD vs. HFD. Thirty-five DEGs were involved in the lipid metabolic process, which might be candidate genes regulating the lipogenesis of chicken. Correlation analysis indicated that 5-hydroxyisourate, alpha-linolenic acid, bovinic acid, linoleic acid, and trans-2-octenoic acid might be transported from gut to liver, and thereby up-regulate the expression of ACSS2, PCSK9, and CYP2C18 and down-regulate one or more genes of CDS1, ST8SIA6, LOC415787, MOGAT1, PLIN1, LOC423719, and EDN2 in the liver to enhance the lipogenesis of chicken. Moreover, taurocholic acid might be transported from the gut to the liver and contribute to HFD-induced lipogenesis by regulating the expression of ACACA, FASN, AACS, and LPL in the liver. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of gut-liver crosstalks and their potential roles in regulating chicken lipogenesis.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis and meta-analysis identify therapeutic effects of N-acetylcysteine in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Introduction: The continuous rise in the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a global health issue. Although the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, against various diseases have been reported, it is still unclear whether NAC has therapeutic potential in NAFLD. Thus, the present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of NAC on NAFLD in preclinical studies. Methods: By searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, 13 studies were included. The methodological quality was assessed based on the SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation guideline, and heterogeneity was evaluated with I ² and p values. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's test and sensitivity analysis was performed. Results: The results showed that NAC treatment significantly improved systemic and hepatic lipid metabolism (p < 0.01), inflammation-related liver injury (p < 0.01), glucose intolerance (p < 0.05), and hepatic steatosis (p < 0.01) by restoring hepatic glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05) and GSH reductase (p < 0.05) levels compared to controls in NAFLD-induced animals. Consistently, in bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics data, the abovementioned target pathways of NAC were strongly associated with NAFLD development in mice and patients. Conclusion: Our study suggests that NAC has therapeutic potential for NAFLD and should be considered for future clinical trials.

Cysteamine and N-Acetyl-cysteine Alleviate Placental Oxidative Stress and Barrier Function Damage Induced by Deoxynivalenol

Sows are highly sensitive to deoxynivalenol (DON) and susceptible to reproductive toxicity caused by oxidative stress, but the potential mechanisms and effective interventions remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of two antioxidants (cysteamine and N-acetyl-cysteine) in regulating the reproductive performance, redox status, and placental barrier function of sows and their potential mechanisms under DON exposure. Maternal dietary supply of antioxidants from day 85 of gestation to parturition reduced the incidence of stillbirths and low-birth-weight piglets under DON exposure. Moreover, the alleviation of DON-induced reproductive toxicity by dietary antioxidants was associated with the alleviation of placental oxidative stress, the enhancement of the placental barrier, and the vascular function of sows. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro vascularized placental barrier modeling further demonstrated that antioxidants could reverse both DON transport across the placenta and DON-induced increase of placental barrier permeability. The molecular mechanism of antioxidant resistance to DON toxicity may be related to the signal transducer and activator of the transcription-3-occludin/zonula occludens-1 signaling pathway. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential of antioxidants to protect the mother from DON-induced reproductive toxicity by alleviating placental oxidative stress and enhancing the placental barrier.

Maternal Supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine Modulates the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Offspring of the Poly I:C Rat Model of Schizophrenia

The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a complex interconnected system altered in schizophrenia. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy to antipsychotics in clinical trials, but its role in the microbiota-gut-brain axis has not been sufficiently explored. We aimed to describe the effect of NAC administration during pregnancy on the gut-brain axis in the offspring from the maternal immune stimulation (MIS) animal model of schizophrenia. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with PolyI:C/Saline. Six groups of animals were studied according to the study factors: phenotype (Saline, MIS) and treatment (no NAC, NAC 7 days, NAC 21 days). Offspring were subjected to the novel object recognition test and were scanned using MRI. Caecum contents were used for metagenomics 16S rRNA sequencing. NAC treatment prevented hippocampal volume reduction and long-term memory deficits in MIS-offspring. In addition, MIS-animals showed lower bacterial richness, which was prevented by NAC. Moreover, NAC7/NAC21 treatments resulted in a reduction of proinflammatory taxons in MIS-animals and an increase in taxa known to produce anti-inflammatory metabolites. Early approaches, like this one, with anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidative compounds, especially in neurodevelopmental disorders with an inflammatory/oxidative basis, may be useful in modulating bacterial microbiota, hippocampal size, as well as hippocampal-based memory impairments.

Pooled analysis of epigenome-wide association studies of food consumption in KORA, TwinsUK and LLS

PURPOSE

Examining epigenetic patterns is a crucial step in identifying molecular changes of disease pathophysiology, with DNA methylation as the most accessible epigenetic measure. Diet is suggested to affect metabolism and health via epigenetic modifications. Thus, our aim was to explore the association between food consumption and DNA methylation.

METHODS

Epigenome-wide association studies were conducted in three cohorts: KORA FF4, TwinsUK, and Leiden Longevity Study, and 37 dietary exposures were evaluated. Food group definition was harmonized across the three cohorts. DNA methylation was measured using Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip in KORA and Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip in the Leiden study and the TwinsUK study. Overall, data from 2293 middle-aged men and women were included. A fixed-effects meta-analysis pooled study-specific estimates. The significance threshold was set at 0.05 for false-discovery rate-adjusted p values per food group.

RESULTS

We identified significant associations between the methylation level of CpG sites and the consumption of onions and garlic (2), nuts and seeds (18), milk (1), cream (11), plant oils (4), butter (13), and alcoholic beverages (27). The signals targeted genes of metabolic health relevance, for example, GLI1, RPTOR, and DIO1, among others.

CONCLUSION

This EWAS is unique with its focus on food groups that are part of a Western diet. Significant findings were mostly related to food groups with a high-fat content.

Monounsaturated fatty acid-enriched olive oil exacerbates chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury in C57BL/6J mice

Dietary oil composition determines the pathological processes of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Oil rich in saturated fatty acids protects, whereas oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids aggravates the alcohol-induced liver injury. However, limited studies have been conducted to address how monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) enriched oil controls the pathological development of AFLD. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of MUFA-enriched extra virgin olive oil (OO) on AFLD. Twenty C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into four groups and fed modified Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing isocaloric maltose dextrin a non-alcohol or alcohol with corn oil and OO for four weeks. Dietary OO significantly exacerbated alcohol-induced liver dysfunction, evidenced by histological examinations and disturbed biochemical parameters. Dietary OO with alcohol decreased hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), phosphorylated 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Iα (CPT1α) expression, and increased sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2), and very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) expression in the liver. It also promoted the expression of hepatic interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hepatic tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) at the transcriptional level. Additionally, adipose tissue lipolysis partially had an etiologic effect on alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis under OO pretreatment. In conclusion, MUFA-enriched OO exacerbated liver dysfunction in vivo. OO should be cautiously considered as a unique dietary oil source for individuals with AFLD.

Gut microbiota–mitochondrial inter-talk in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a progressive disease, has exerted huge a healthcare burden worldwide. New investigations have suggested that the gut microbiota closely participates in the progression of NAFLD through the gut–liver axis or gut–brain–liver axis. The composition of the microbiota can be altered by multiple factors, primarily dietary style, nutritional supplements, or exercise. Recent evidence has revealed that gut microbiota is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism in the liver by regulating crucial transcription factors, enzymes, or genes. Moreover, microbiota metabolites can also affect mitochondrial oxidative stress function and swallow formation, subsequently controlling the inflammatory response and regulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are the predominant regulators of NAFLD. This review focuses on the changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and metabolites as well as the cross-talk between gut microbiota and mitochondrial function. We thus aim to comprehensively explore the potential mechanisms of gut microbiota in NAFLD and potential therapeutic strategies targeting NAFLD management.

Astaxanthin Alleviates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating the Intestinal Flora and Targeting the AMPK/Nrf2 Signal Axis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is among the most prevalent chronic liver diseases around the globe. The accumulation of lipids in the liver and oxidative stress are important pathological mechanisms of NAFLD. Astaxanthin (AT) is a carotenoid extracted from shrimps and crabs with beneficial biological activities, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. 16S microflora sequencing, H&E staining, and the western blot technique were employed to investigate the impacts of AT on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. Significant mitigation in lipid metabolism-related disorders and decreased oxidative stress in HFD-induced mice were observed due to AT, and significant changes in the gut flora of the model mice were also observed. The in vitro study showed that AT considerably lowered the protein expression level of fatty acid synthetase (FAS), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and acetyl-COA carboxylase (ACC) and increased the protein expression of nuclear factor-E2 associated factor 2 (Nrf2) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in oleic acid (OA) and palmitic acid (PA)-induced HepG2 cells. Additionally, mechanistic studies revealed that compound C (AMPK inhibitor, CC) inhibited the regulatory effect of AT on the SREBP-1c and Nrf2 signaling pathways. In conclusion, AT can inhibit the SREBP-1c, FAS, and ACC signaling pathways, activate the AMPK and Nrf2 signaling pathways, and improve the structure of intestinal flora.

Long non-coding RNA-EN_181 potentially contributes to the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) possesses a strong capability to ameliorate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Our study aimed to clarify the involvement of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in the beneficial effects of NAC on HFD-induced NAFLD. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal-fat diet (10 % fat), a HFD (45 % fat) or a HFD plus NAC (2 g/l). After 14-week of intervention, NAC rescued the deleterious alterations induced by HFD, including the changes in body and liver weights, hepatic TAG, plasma alanine aminotransferase, plasma aspartate transaminase and liver histomorphology (haematoxylin and eosin and Oil red O staining). Through whole-transcriptome sequencing, 52 167 (50 758 known and 1409 novel) hepatic lncRNA were detected. Our cross-comparison data revealed the expression of 175 lncRNA was changed by HFD but reversed by NAC. Five of those lncRNA, lncRNA-NONMMUT148902·1 (NO_902·1), lncRNA-XR_001781798·1 (XR_798·1), lncRNA-NONMMUT141720·1 (NO_720·1), lncRNA-XR_869907·1 (XR_907·1), and lncRNA-ENSMUST00000132181 (EN_181), were selected based on an absolute log2 fold change value of greater than 4, P-value < 0·01 and P-adjusted value < 0·01. Further qRT-PCR analysis showed the levels of lncRNA-NO_902·1, lncRNA-XR_798·1, and lncRNA-EN_181 were decreased by HFD but restored by NAC, consistent with the RNA sequencing. Finally, we constructed a ceRNA network containing lncRNA-EN_181, 3 miRNA, and 13 mRNA, which was associated with the NAC-ameliorated NAFLD. Overall, lncRNA-EN_181 might be a potential target in NAC-ameliorated NAFLD. This finding enhanced our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial role of NAC.