Activation of human stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 contributes to the lipogenic effect of PXR in HepG2 cells

In Vitro Human Liver Model for Toxicity Assessment with Clinical and Preclinical Instrumentation

The existing in vitro toxicological models lack translational potential, which makes difficult the application of gathered information to clinical usage. To tackle this issue, we built a model with four different types of primary liver cells: hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. We cultured them in different combinations of composition and volumes of cell medium, hepatocyte proportions of total cells and additions of extracellular matrixes. We added rifampicin (RIF), ibuprofen (IBU) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to this model and observed the microanatomy and physiology changes for a week with preclinical and clinical instruments. Among the different model configurations, we selected the feature combination of the in vitro model that had similar biomarker values to those measured in clinical diagnostics. When we exposed the selected model configuration to RIF, IBU and 5-FU, we observed similar glucose, triglyceride and albumin dynamics as in vivo (from clinical data). Therefore, we have built an in vitro liver model that resembles the liver microenvironment, and we have analysed it with clinical instrumentation to facilitate data translation. Furthermore, during these observations, we found that Kupffer and LSEC cells are suitable candidates for the search for clinical diagnostic markers of liver function.

Hepatoviruses promote very-long-chain fatty acid and sphingolipid synthesis for viral RNA replication and quasi-enveloped virus release

Virus-induced changes in host lipid metabolism are an important but poorly understood aspect of viral pathogenesis. By combining nontargeted lipidomics analyses of infected cells and purified extracellular quasi-enveloped virions with high-throughput RNA sequencing and genetic depletion studies, we show that hepatitis A virus, an hepatotropic picornavirus, broadly manipulates the host cell lipid environment, enhancing synthesis of ceramides and other sphingolipids and transcriptionally activating acyl-coenzyme A synthetases and fatty acid elongases to import and activate long-chain fatty acids for entry into the fatty acid elongation cycle. Phospholipids with very-long-chain acyl tails (>C22) are essential for genome replication, whereas increases in sphingolipids support assembly and release of quasi-enveloped virions wrapped in membranes highly enriched for sphingomyelin and very-long-chain ceramides. Our data provide insight into how a pathogenic virus alters lipid flux in infected hepatocytes and demonstrate a distinction between lipid species required for viral RNA synthesis versus nonlytic quasi-enveloped virus release.

A New In Vivo Zebrafish Bioassay Evaluating Liver Steatosis Identifies DDE as a Steatogenic Endocrine Disruptor, Partly through SCD1 Regulation

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which starts with liver steatosis, is a growing worldwide epidemic responsible for chronic liver diseases. Among its risk factors, exposure to environmental contaminants, such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC), has been recently emphasized. Given this important public health concern, regulation agencies need novel simple and fast biological tests to evaluate chemical risks. In this context, we developed a new in vivo bioassay called StAZ (Steatogenic Assay on Zebrafish) using an alternative model to animal experimentation, the zebrafish larva, to screen EDCs for their steatogenic properties. Taking advantage of the transparency of zebrafish larvae, we established a method based on fluorescent staining with Nile red to estimate liver lipid content. Following testing of known steatogenic molecules, 10 EDCs suspected to induce metabolic disorders were screened and DDE, the main metabolite of the insecticide DDT, was identified as a potent inducer of steatosis. To confirm this and optimize the assay, we used it in a transgenic zebrafish line expressing a blue fluorescent liver protein reporter. To obtain insight into DDE's effect, the expression of several genes related to steatosis was analyzed; an up-regulation of scd1 expression, probably relying on PXR activation, was found, partly responsible for both membrane remodeling and steatosis.

The Function of Xenobiotic Receptors in Metabolic Diseases

Metabolic diseases are a series of metabolic disorders that include obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The increased prevalence of metabolic diseases has resulted in higher mortality and mobility rates over the past decades, and this has led to extensive research focusing on the underlying mechanisms. Xenobiotic receptors (XRs) are a series of xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors that regulate their downstream target genes expression, thus defending the body from xenobiotic and endotoxin attacks. XR activation is associated with the development of a number of metabolic diseases such as obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, thus suggesting an important role for XRs in modulating metabolic diseases. However, the regulatory mechanism of XRs in the context of metabolic disorders under different nutrient conditions is complex and remains controversial. This review summarizes the effects of XRs on different metabolic components (cholesterol, lipids, glucose, and bile acids) in different tissues during metabolic diseases. As chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of metabolic diseases, we also discuss the impact of XRs on inflammation to comprehensively recognize the role of XRs in metabolic diseases. This will provide new ideas for treating metabolic diseases by targeting XRs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review outlines the current understanding of xenobiotic receptors on nutrient metabolism and inflammation during metabolic diseases. This work also highlights the gaps in this field, which can be used to direct the future investigations on metabolic diseases treatment by targeting xenobiotic receptors.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen) in the Treating Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on the Regulator of Metabolic Targets

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly prevalent due to its strong association with increased metabolic syndrome such as cardio- and cerebrovascular disorders and diabetes. Few drugs can meet the growing disease burden of NAFLD. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen) have been used for over 2,000 years in clinical trials to treat NAFLD and metabolic syndrome disease without clarified defined mechanisms. Metabolic targets restored metabolic homeostasis in patients with NAFLD and improved steatosis by reducing the delivery of metabolic substrates to liver as a promising way. Here we systematic review evidence showing that Danshen against NAFLD through diverse and crossing mechanisms based on metabolic targets. A synopsis of the phytochemistry and pharmacokinetic of Danshen and the mechanisms of metabolic targets regulating the progression of NAFLD is initially provided, followed by the pharmacological activity of Danshen in the management NAFLD. And then, the possible mechanisms of Danshen in the management of NAFLD based on metabolic targets are elucidated. Specifically, the metabolic targets c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), nuclear translocation carbohydrate response element–binding protein (ChREBP) related with lipid metabolism pathway, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), cytochrome P450 (CYP) and the others associated with pleiotropic metabolism will be discussed. Finally, providing a critical assessment of the preclinic and clinic model and the molecular mechanism in NAFLD.

PXR Suppresses PPARα-Dependent HMGCS2 Gene Transcription by Inhibiting the Interaction between PPARα and PGC1α

Background: PXR is a xenobiotic-responsive nuclear receptor that controls the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Drug-induced activation of PXR sometimes causes drug–drug interactions due to the induced metabolism of co-administered drugs. Our group recently reported a possible drug–drug interaction mechanism via an interaction between the nuclear receptors CAR and PPARα. As CAR and PXR are structurally and functionally related receptors, we investigated possible crosstalk between PXR and PPARα. Methods: Human hepatocyte-like HepaRG cells were treated with various PXR ligands, and mRNA levels were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Reporter assays using the HMGCS2 promoter containing a PPARα-binding motif and mammalian two-hybrid assays were performed in HepG2 or COS-1 cells. Results: Treatment with PXR activators reduced the mRNA levels of PPARα target genes in HepaRG cells. In reporter assays, PXR suppressed PPARα-dependent gene expression in HepG2 cells. In COS-1 cells, co-expression of PGC1α, a common coactivator of PPARα and PXR, enhanced PPARα-dependent gene transcription, which was clearly suppressed by PXR. Consistently, in mammalian two-hybrid assays, the interaction between PGC1α and PPARα was attenuated by ligand-activated PXR. Conclusion: The present results suggest that ligand-activated PXR suppresses PPARα-dependent gene expression by inhibiting PGC1α recruitment.

The constitutive androstane receptor and pregnane X receptor in the brain

Since their discovery, the orphan nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor (CAR;NR1I3) and pregnane X receptor (PXR;NR1I2) have been regarded as master regulators of drug disposition and detoxification mechanisms. They regulate the metabolism and transport of endogenous mediators and xenobiotics in organs including the liver, intestine and brain. However, with proposals of new physiological functions for NR1I3 and NR1I2, there is increasing interest in the role of these receptors in influencing brain function. This review will summarise key findings regarding the expression and function of NR1I3 and NR1I2 in the brain, hereby highlighting the need for further research in this field.

Sesamin, a Naturally Occurring Lignan, Inhibits Ligand-Induced Lipogenesis through Interaction with Liver X Receptor Alpha (LXRα) and Pregnane X Receptor (PXR)

Liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear receptor that regulates various biological processes, including de novo lipogenesis, cholesterol metabolism, and inflammation. Selective inhibition of LXR may aid the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Sesamin is a naturally occurring lignan in many dietary plants and has a wide range of beneficial effects on metabolism. The mechanism underlying sesamin action especially on the regulation of LXR remains elusive. Reporter assays, mRNA and protein expression, and in silico modeling were used to identify sesamin as an antagonist of LXRα. Sesamin was applied to the hepatic HepaRG and intestinal LS174T cells and showed that it markedly ameliorated lipid accumulation in the HepaRG cells, by reducing LXRα transactivation, inhibiting the expression of downstream target genes. This effect was associated with the stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, followed by decreased T0901317-LXRα-induced expression of SREBP-1c and its downstream target genes. Mechanistically, sesamin reduced the recruitment of SRC-1 but enhanced that of SMILE to the SREBP-1c promoter region under T0901317 treatment. It regulated the transcriptional control exerted by LXRα by influencing its interaction with coregulators and thus decreased mRNA and protein levels of genes downstream of LXRα and reduced lipid accumulation in hepatic cells. Additionally, sesamin reduced valproate- and rifampin-induced LXRα and pregnane X receptor (PXR) transactivation. This was associated with reduced expression of target genes and decreased lipid accumulation. Thus, sesamin is an antagonist of LXRα and PXR and suggests that it may alleviate drug-induced lipogenesis via the suppression of LXRα and PXR signaling.

Ursolic Acid, a Novel Liver X Receptor α (LXRα) Antagonist Inhibiting Ligand-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and Drug-Induced Lipogenesis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common liver disease, and its incidence has significantly increased worldwide. The liver X receptor α (LXRα) is a multifunctional nuclear receptor that controls lipid homeostasis. Inhibition of LXRα transactivation may be beneficial for NAFLD and hyperlipidemia treatment. Ursolic acid (UA) is a plant triterpenoid with many beneficial effects; however, the mechanism of its action on LXRα remains elusive. We evaluated the effects of UA on T0901317 (T090)-induced LXRα activation and steatosis. UA significantly decreased the LXR response element and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c ( SREBP-1c) gene promoter activities, mRNA, protein expression of LXRα target genes, and hepatic cellular lipid content in a T090-induced mouse model. A molecular docking study indicated that UA bound competitively with T090 at the LXRα ligand binding domain. UA stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in hepatic cells and increased corepressor, small heterodimer partner-interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE) but decreased coactivator, steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) recruitment to the SREBP-1c promoter region. In contrast, UA induced SRC-1 binding but decreased SMILE binding to reverse cholesterol transport-related gene promoters in intestinal cells, increasing lipid excretion from intestinal cells. Additionally, UA reduced valproate-induced LXRα mediated and rifampin-induced pregnane X receptor mediated lipogenesis, offering potential treatments for drug-induced hepatic steatosis. Thus, UA displays liver specificity and can be selectively repressed while RCT stimulation by LXRα is preserved and enhanced. This is a novel therapeutic option to treat NAFLD and may be helpful in developing LXR agonists to prevent atherosclerosis.

Oleanolic Acid Inhibits Liver X Receptor Alpha and Pregnane X Receptor to Attenuate Ligand-Induced Lipogenesis

Liver X receptor α (LXRα) controls important biological and pathophysiological processes such as lipid homeostasis. Inhibiting LXRα transactivation may beneficial in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is one of the main causes of liver diseases and hyperlipidemia. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid found in many plants. It has several beneficial effects on biological pathways; however, the mechanisms underlying its effects on LXRα are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of OA on T0901317-induced LXRα activation and explored whether OA can attenuate hepatic lipogenesis. The results showed that OA significantly decreased the promoter activities of LXR response element and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). It also decreased the mRNA and protein expression of LXRα target genes. These resulted in reduced hepatocellular lipid content. Our results also revealed that the overall binding pose of OA is similar to the X-ray pose of T0901317. Furthermore, OA stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in hepatic cells. Additionally, it increased small heterodimer partner-interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE) but decreased steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) recruitment to the SREBP-1c promoter region. OA also enhanced LXRα-mediated induction of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)-related gene, ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1, and ABCG1 expression in intestinal cells. It was found that OA increased the binding of SRC-1 but decreased SMILE recruitment to the ABCG1 gene promoter region. Furthermore, it reduced valproate- and rifampin-induced LXRα- and pregnane X receptor-mediated lipogenesis, respectively, which indicates its potential benefit in treating drug-induced hepatic steatosis. The results also show that OA is liver-specific and can be selectively repressed of lipogenesis. Moreover, it preserves and enhances LXRα-induced RCT stimulation. The results show that OA may be a promising treatment for NAFLD. Additionally, it can be used in the development of LXRα agonists to prevent atherosclerosis.

Rifampicin-Induced Hepatic Lipid Accumulation: Association with Up-Regulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ in Mouse Liver

Previous study found that rifampicin caused intrahepatic cholestasis. This study investigated the effects of rifampicin on hepatic lipid metabolism. Mice were orally administered with rifampicin (200 mg/kg) daily for different periods. Results showed that serum TG level was progressively reduced after a short elevation. By contrast, hepatic TG content was markedly increased in rifampicin-treated mice. An obvious hepatic lipid accumulation, as determined by Oil Red O staining, was observed in mice treated with rifampicin for more than one week. Moreover, mRNA levels of Fas, Acc and Scd-1, several key genes for fatty acid synthesis, were elevated in rifampicin-treated mice. In addition, the class B scavenger receptor CD36 was progressively up-regulated by rifampicin. Interestingly, hepatic SREBP-1c and LXR-α, two important transcription factors that regulate genes for hepatic fatty acid synthesis, were not activated by rifampicin. Instead, hepatic PXR was rapidly activated in rifampicin-treated mice. Hepatic PPARγ, a downstream target of PXR, was transcriptionally up-regulated. Taken together, the increased hepatic lipid synthesis and uptake of fatty acids from circulation into liver jointly contribute to rifampicin-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. The increased uptake of fatty acids from circulation into liver might be partially attributed to rifampicin-induced up-regulation of PPARγ and its target genes.

Transactivation Assays to Assess Canine and Rodent Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) and Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) Activation

The pregnane X receptor (PXR/SXR, NR1I2) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) are nuclear receptors (NRs) involved in the regulation of many genes including cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and transporters important in metabolism and uptake of both endogenous substrates and xenobiotics. Activation of these receptors can lead to adverse drug effects as well as drug-drug interactions. Depending on which nuclear receptor is activated will determine which adverse effect could occur, making identification important. Screening for NR activation by New Molecular Entities (NMEs) using cell-based transactivation assays is the singular high throughput method currently available for identifying the activation of a particular NR. Moreover, screening for species-specific NR activation can minimize the use of animals in drug development and toxicology studies. With this in mind, we have developed in vitro transactivation assays to identify compounds that activate canine and rat PXR and CAR3. We found differences in specificity for canine and rat PXR, with the best activator for canine PXR being 10 μM SR12813 (60.1 ± 3.1-fold) and for rat PXR, 10 μM dexamethasone (60.9 ± 8.4 fold). Of the 19 test agents examined, 10 and 9 significantly activated rat and canine PXR at varying degrees, respectively. In contrast, 5 compounds exhibited statistically significant activation of rat CAR3 and 4 activated the canine receptor. For canine CAR3, 50 μM artemisinin proved to be the best activator (7.3 ± 1.8 and 10.5 ± 2.2 fold) while clotrimazole (10 μM) was the primary activator of the rat variant (13.7 ± 0.8 and 26.9 ± 1.3 fold). Results from these studies demonstrated that cell-based transactivation assays can detect species-specific activators and revealed that PXR was activated by at least twice as many compounds as was CAR3, suggesting that there are many more agonists for PXR than CAR.

Liver X receptor α promotes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids in goat mammary epithelial cells via the control of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 in an SREBP-1-dependent manner

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a pivotal enzyme in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). It is tightly regulated by transcription factors that control lipogenesis. In nonruminants, liver X receptor α (LXRα) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor that acts as a key sensor of cholesterol and lipid homeostasis. However, the mechanism whereby LXRα regulates the expression and transcriptional activity of SCD1 in ruminant mammary cells remains unknown. In this study with goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC), the LXRα agonist T 4506585 (T09) markedly enhanced the mRNA expression of SCD1 and sterol regulatory element binding factor 1 (SREBF1). The concentrations of C16:1 and C18:1 and their desaturation indices also were increased by LXRα activation. However, knockdown of LXRα did not alter the mRNA expression of SCD1. Although SCD1 was repressed by SREBF1 knockdown, T09 significantly increased SCD1 expression. Further analysis revealed that the SCD1 promoter activity was activated by LXRα overexpression. The goat SCD1 promoter contains 2 LXR response elements (LXRE), 1 sterol response element (SRE), and 1 nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) binding site. Site-directed mutagenesis of LXRE1, LXRE2, or SRE alone did not eliminate the upregulation of SCD1 when LXRα was overexpressed. In contrast, when NF-Y alone or in combination with SRE was mutated simultaneously, the basal transcriptional activity of the SCD1 promoter was markedly decreased and did not respond to LXRα overexpression. Furthermore, when SREBF1 was knocked down, overexpression of LXRα did not affect the promoter activity of SCD1. Together, these data suggest that LXRα regulates the expression of SCD1 through increasing SREBP-1 abundance to promote interaction with SRE and NF-Y binding sites. The present study provides evidence that LXRα is involved in the synthesis of MUFA in the goat mammary gland through an indirect mechanism.

RNA-Seq reveals common and unique PXR- and CAR-target gene signatures in the mouse liver transcriptome

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) are well-known xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors with overlapping functions. However, there lacks a quantitative characterization to distinguish between the PXR and CAR target genes and signaling pathways in the liver. The present study performed a transcriptomic comparison of the PXR- and CAR-targets using RNA-Seq in livers of adult wild-type mice that were treated with the prototypical PXR ligand PCN (200mg/kg, i.p. once daily for 4days in corn oil) or the prototypical CAR ligand TCPOBOP (3mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 4days in corn oil). At the given doses, TCPOBOP differentially regulated many more genes (2125) than PCN (212), and 147 of the same genes were differentially regulated by both chemicals. As expected, the top pathways differentially regulated by both PCN and TCPOBOP were involved in xenobiotic metabolism, and they also up-regulated genes involved in retinoid metabolism, but down-regulated genes involved in inflammation and iron homeostasis. Regarding unique pathways, PXR activation appeared to overlap with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, whereas CAR activation appeared to overlap with the farnesoid X receptor signaling, acute-phase response, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The mRNAs of differentially regulated drug-processing genes (DPGs) partitioned into three patterns, namely TCPOBOP-induced, PCN-induced, as well as TCPOBOP-suppressed gene clusters. The cumulative mRNAs of the differentially regulated DPGs, phase-I and -II enzymes, as well as efflux transporters were all up-regulated by both PCN and TCPOBOPOP, whereas the cumulative mRNAs of the uptake transporters were down-regulated only by TCPOBOP. The absolute mRNA abundance in control and receptor-activated conditions was examined in each DPG category to predict the contribution of specific DPG genes in the PXR/CAR-mediated pharmacokinetic responses. The preferable differential regulation by TCPOBOP in the entire hepatic transcriptome correlated with a marked change in the expression of many DNA and histone epigenetic modifiers. In conclusion, the present study has revealed known and novel, as well as common and unique targets of PXR and CAR in mouse liver following pharmacological activation using their prototypical ligands. Results from this study will further support the role of these receptors in regulating the homeostasis of xenobiotic and intermediary metabolism in the liver, and aid in distinguishing between PXR and CAR signaling at various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Xenobiotic nuclear receptors: New Tricks for An Old Dog, edited by Dr. Wen Xie.

Novel functions of PXR in cardiometabolic disease

Cardiometabolic disease emerges as a worldwide epidemic and there is urgent need to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this chronic disease. The chemical environment to which we are exposed has significantly changed in the past few decades and recent research has implicated its contribution to the development of many chronic human diseases. However, the mechanisms of how exposure to chemicals contributes to the development of cardiometabolic disease are poorly understood. Numerous chemicals have been identified as ligands for the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a nuclear receptor functioning as a xenobiotic sensor to coordinately regulate xenobiotic metabolism via transcriptional regulation of xenobiotic-detoxifying enzymes and transporters. In the past decade, the function of PXR in the regulation of xenobiotic metabolism has been extensively studied by many laboratories and the role of PXR as a xenobiotic sensor has been well-established. The identification of PXR as a xenobiotic sensor has provided an important tool for the study of new mechanisms through which xenobiotic exposure impacts human chronic diseases. Recent studies have revealed novel and unexpected roles of PXR in modulating obesity, insulin sensitivity, lipid homeostasis, atherogenesis, and vascular functions. These studies suggest that PXR signaling may contribute significantly to the pathophysiological effects of many known xenobiotics on cardiometabolic disease in humans. The discovery of novel functions of PXR in cardiometabolic disease not only contributes to our understanding of "gene-environment interactions" in predisposing individuals to chronic diseases but also provides strong evidence to inform future risk assessment for relevant chemicals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Xenobiotic nuclear receptors: New Tricks for An Old Dog, edited by Dr. Wen Xie.

Ethanolic extract of Taheebo attenuates increase in body weight and fatty liver in mice fed a high-fat diet

We evaluated whether intake of an ethanolic extract of Taheebo (TBE) from Tabebuia avellanedae protects against body weight increase and fat accumulation in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Four-week old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a HFD (25% fat, w/w) for 11 weeks. The diet of control (HFD) mice was supplemented with vehicle (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose by gavage); the diet of experimental (TBE) mice was supplemented with TBE (150 mg/kg body weight/day by gavage). Mice administered TBE had significantly reduced body weight gain, fat accumulation in the liver, and fat pad weight, compared to HFD mice. Reduced hypertrophy of fat cells was also observed in TBE mice. Mice administered TBE also showed significantly lower serum levels of triglycerides, insulin, and leptin. Lipid profiles and levels of mRNAs and proteins related to lipid metabolism were determined in liver and white adipose tissue of the mice. Expression of mRNA and proteins related to lipogenesis were decreased in TBE-administered mice compared to mice fed HFD alone. These results suggest that TBE inhibits obesity and fat accumulation by regulation of gene expression related to lipid metabolism in HFD-induced obesity in mice.