scholarly journals Empagliflozin Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in High Fat Diet Fed ApoE(-/-) Mice by Activating Autophagy and Reducing ER Stress and Apoptosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 818
Author(s):  
Narjes Nasiri-Ansari ◽  
Chrysa Nikolopoulou ◽  
Katerina Papoutsi ◽  
Ioannis Kyrou ◽  
Christos S. Mantzoros ◽  
...  

Aims/hypothesis: SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have been studied as potential treatments against NAFLD, showing varying beneficial effects. The molecular mechanisms mediating these effects have not been fully clarified. Herein, we investigated the impact of empagliflozin on NAFLD, focusing particularly on ER stress, autophagy and apoptosis. Methods: Five-week old ApoE(-/-) mice were switched from normal to a high-fat diet (HFD). After five weeks, mice were randomly allocated into a control group (HFD + vehicle) and Empa group (HFD + empagliflozin 10 mg/kg/day) for five weeks. At the end of treatment, histomorphometric analysis was performed in liver, mRNA levels of Fasn, Screbp-1, Scd-1, Ppar-γ, Pck-1, Mcp-1, Tnf-α, Il-6, F4/80, Atf4, Elf2α, Chop, Grp78, Grp94, Χbp1, Ire1α, Atf6, mTor, Lc3b, Beclin-1, P62, Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by qRT-PCR, and protein levels of p-EIF2α, EIF2a, CHOP, LC3II, P62, BECLIN-1 and cleaved CASPASE-8 were assessed by immunoblotting. Results: Empagliflozin-treated mice exhibited reduced fasting glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels, as well as decreased NAFLD activity score, decreased expression of lipogenic enzymes (Fasn, Screbp-1c and Pck-1) and inflammatory molecules (Mcp-1 and F4/80), compared to the Control group. Empagliflozin significantly decreased the expression of ER stress molecules Grp78, Ire1α, Xbp1, Elf2α, Atf4, Atf6, Chop, P62(Sqstm1) and Grp94; whilst activating autophagy via increased AMPK phosphorylation, decreased mTOR and increased LC3B expression. Finally, empagliflozin increased the Bcl2/Bax ratio and inhibited CASPASE-8 cleavage, reducing liver cell apoptosis. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the qPCR results. Conclusion: These novel findings indicate that empagliflozin treatment for five weeks attenuates NAFLD progression in ApoE(-/-) mice by promoting autophagy, reducing ER stress and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Zhang ◽  
Shan-zhuang Niu ◽  
Yi-cheng Ma ◽  
Bo Zhou ◽  
Yi Deng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Fenofibrate is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist, which is widely used in clinical practice to effectively ameliorates the development of NAFLD. However, the molecular mechanism remains largely unknown, the present study aimed to investigate the role and specific mechanism of fenofibrate on lipid metabolism disorders associated diseases.Methods: The male C57BL6/J mice were divided into 3 groups, the mice in control group (n=10) were fed with normal chow diet, and the mice in HFD-fed group (n =10) were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. For the fenofibrate +HFD-fed group (n =10), the mice fed HFD were orally gavaged with fenofibrate (40 mg/kg) daily for the last 4 weeks. Body weight and hip width were measured. Macrosteatosis and fat deposition in the liver were measured by H&E staining and Oil red O staining individually. The levels of serum and hepatic triglyceride were measured, and HOMA-IR, HOMA-ISI were analyzed. The levels of SCD-1, Bip, CHOP and SERCA2b were measured by western blotting. The expression of let-7 were analyzed by qPCR, and the complementarity between the 3′-UTR of SERCA2b gene and let-7 was measured by luciferase reporter assay.Results: Fenofibrate reduces hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. Fnofibrate alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) of mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). Fenofibrate increases the levels of Sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) which serves as a regulator of ER stress. Further, the levels of let-7 microRNA is also regulated by fenofibrate, and let-7 directly targets 3’-UTR of SERCA2b. Conclusion: The present data suggests that fenofibrate alleviates ER stress through the let-7/SERCA2b axis to protect against excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Kawamura ◽  
Hiroaki Tanaka ◽  
Ryota Tachibana ◽  
Kento Yoshikawa ◽  
Shintaro Maki ◽  
...  

AbstractWe aimed to investigate the effects of maternal tadalafil therapy on fetal programming of metabolic function in a mouse model of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Pregnant C57BL6 mice were divided into the control, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and tadalafil + L-NAME groups. Six weeks after birth, the male pups in each group were given a high-fat diet. A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed at 15 weeks and the pups were euthanized at 20 weeks. We then assessed the histological changes in the liver and adipose tissue, and the adipocytokine production. We found that the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score was higher in the L-NAME group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Although the M1 macrophage numbers were significantly higher in the L-NAME/high-fat diet group (p < 0.001), maternal tadalafil administration prevented this change. Moreover, the epididymal adipocyte size was significantly larger in the L-NAME group than in the control group. This was also improved by maternal tadalafil administration (p < 0.05). Further, we found that resistin levels were significantly lower in the L-NAME group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The combination of exposure to maternal L-NAME and a high-fat diet induced glucose impairment and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, maternal tadalafil administration prevented these complications. Thus, deleterious fetal programming caused by FGR might be modified by in utero intervention with tadalafil.


Author(s):  
Sara Ameen Nafeer ◽  
Munaf Zalzala

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, which characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The aim of this designed study is to evaluate the ability of guggulsterone to prevent high fat diet induced steatohepatitis in mice. Five groups of male mice were selected and treated as the following: group I, mice had free access to standard commercial diet and considered as control group, group II, mice were fed a specially formulated high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce non-alcoholic liver disease, while groups III, IV and V the mice were administered high fat diet containing guggulsterone at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm concentration respectively for 12 weeks. Maintaining mice on fat rich diet only resulted in inducing the metabolic and histological NAFLD associated. While the treatment with guggulsterone significantly improves the evaluated markers. These results demonstrate guggulsterone may be useful in preventing the development of steatohepatitis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lirui Wei ◽  
Xuenan Zhao ◽  
Feng Guo ◽  
Fengjiao Huang ◽  
Yanyan Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundIn modern society, obesity has become a global problem with resulting in metabolic disorders and poses high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been taken as an effective drug for the therapy of T2DM and obesity. In the present study, the regulatory roles and molecular mechanisms of miR-425-5p in GLP-1 secretion in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice were explored. MethodsOral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were performed to assess glucose metabolism and GLP-1 and LPS levels. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to detect the expression of LPS, GLP-1, GLP-1 receptors, miR-425-5p, phosphatase and tensin homology (PTEN), proglucagon, p65 and β-catenin. Western blot was performed to determine the expression of proglucagon, p65, β-catenin and PTEN. ResultsThe results showed that plasma GLP-1 level was negatively correlated with plasma LPS level in HFD-fed mice, and miR-425-5p expression and LPS level were up-regulated in the ileal fluid compared with control groups. LPS injection boosted miR-425-5p expression in ileum. MiR-425-5p ameliorated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice by increasing GLP-1 secretion. Furthermore, p65 protein level in the cytoplasmic and nuclear in the ileum of HFD-fed mice was increased compared with the control group. MiR-425-5p agomir elevated nuclear β-catenin protein level, but reduced PTEN protein level in HFD-fed mice compared with HFD-fed mice treated with the miR-425-5p antagomir. ConclusionsOur results suggest that miR-425-5p promotes GLP-1 secretion and improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuqin Fan ◽  
Hongyang Yao ◽  
Xuanyi Liu ◽  
Qiaoyu Shi ◽  
Liang Lv ◽  
...  

Quantitative PCR (qPCR), the most accurate and sensitive technique for quantifying mRNA expression, and choice of appropriate reference genes for internal error controlling in qPCR are essential to understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive the obesity epidemic and its comorbidities. In this study, using the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model, we assessed the expression of 10 commonly used reference genes to validate gene-expression stability in adipose tissue, liver, and muscle across different time points (4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after HFD feeding) during the process of obesity. The data were analyzed by the GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and Delta-Ct method, and the results showed that the most stable reference genes were different for a specific organ or tissue in a specific time point; however, PPIA, RPLP0, and YWHAZ were the top three most stable reference genes in qPCR experiments on adipose, hepatic tissues, and muscles of mice in diet-induced obesity. In addition, the mostly used genes ACTB and GAPDH were more unstable in the fat and liver, the ACTB mRNA levels were increased in four adipose tissues, and the GAPDH mRNA levels were decreased in four adipose tissues and liver after HFD feeding. These results suggest that PPIA, RPLP0, or YWHAZ may be more appropriate to be used as reference gene than ACTB and GAPDH in the adipose tissue and liver of mice during the process of high-fat diet-induced obesity.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2493
Author(s):  
Maria Nunez-Salces ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Stewart Christie ◽  
Amanda J. Page

The stomach is the primary source of the orexigenic and adiposity-promoting hormone, ghrelin. There is emerging evidence on the nutrient-mediated modulation of gastric ghrelin secretion. However, limited information is available on gastric nutrient-sensing mechanisms in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. This study investigated the impact of HFD-induced obesity on the expression of nutrient chemosensors in mouse stomach, particularly ghrelin cells. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a standard laboratory diet (SLD) or HFD for 12 weeks. The expression of ghrelin, enzymes involved in ghrelin production (PC1/3, GOAT) and nutrient chemosensors (CD36, FFAR2&4, GPR93, CaSR, mGluR4 and T1R3) was determined by quantitative RT-PCR in the mouse corpus and antrum. Immunohistochemistry assessed the protein expression of CaSR and ghrelin in the corpus and antrum. Antral mRNA levels of CaSR and PC1/3 were increased in HFD compared to SLD mice, while mRNA levels of all other nutrient chemosensors examined remained unchanged. CaSR immunolabelling was observed in the gastric antrum only. Nearly 80% of antral ghrelin cells expressed CaSR, with a similar cell density and co-expression in SLD and HFD mice. In conclusion, HFD-induced obesity increased CaSR mRNA expression in mouse antrum. However, the high antral co-expression of CaSR and ghrelin was unaltered in HFD compared to SLD mice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Ke ◽  
Ling Wenhua

Abstract Objectives To explore whether CoQ10 has an effect on NAFLD and the potential mechanism. Methods 2.1 Animal studies Thirty male C57BL/6 J mice (four weeks) were randomly distributed into three groups (n = 10): control group (10% Kcal from fat), the high-fat group (60% Kcal from fat), the CoQ10 group (CoQ10 1800 mg/kg, 60% Kcal from fat). The intervention time is 24 weeks. 2.2 Biochemical indicator Serum and liver biochemical markers were detected with appropriate test kits. 2.3 Histopathological evaluation H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to valuate the degree of NAFLD. Results 3.1 CoQ10 ameliorates high-fat diet-induced weight gain and dyslipidaemia. CoQ10 decreased the weight gain (Fig. 1A). In addition, CoQ10 reduced the high-fat diet-induced subcutaneous and visceral fat. Serum levels of TC and TG decreased in mice fed HFD with supplementation of CoQ10 (Fig. 1C). The level of HDL-c showed an unremarkable increase in mice supplemented with CoQ10, while LDL-c in this group decreased (Fig. 1D). 3.2 CoQ10 inhibited NAFLD induced by high-fat diet. The lipid droplet was reduced in the mice fed CoQ10(Fig. 2A). Analysis of Sirius Red staining showed that hepatic fibrosis was ameliorated in the mice fed CoQ10(Fig. 2B). Staining of macrophage marker, F4/80, and the leukocyte marker, CD45 showed that CoQ10 can alleviate inflammation(Fig.2C, D). CoQ10 also induce the injury of liver(Fig. 2E). 3.3 CoQ10 regulates liver lipid metabolism. CoQ10 reversed the increase of ACC and FAS and reversed the decrease of PPAR-α and CPT-1 both in mRNA and protein expression. CoQ10 could activate AMPK. Conclusions Co Q10 may attenuates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through activation of AMPK pathway. Funding Sources The key Project of National Natural Science Fund (grant number: 81730090). Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-53
Author(s):  
Nur Azmiati Mundiri ◽  
Meta Maulida Damayanti ◽  
Maya Tejasari ◽  
Annisa Rahmah Furqaani ◽  
R.A. Retno Ekowati

Dislipidemia merupakan salah satu faktor risiko dari non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD mempunyai karakteristik steatosis hepatik, hepatocyte ballooning, inflamasi lobular, dan fibrosis.  Kandungan flavonoid pada Citrus limon dipercaya dapat mencegah steatosis hepatik. Tujuan penelitian ini mengetahui pengaruh fraksi air buah lemon terhadap gambaran morfologi jaringan hati mencit tua yang diberi pakan tinggi lemak. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental dengan subjek penelitian adalah mencit (Mus musculus) jantan galur DDY tua yang dibagi menjadi empat kelompok secara acak, terdiri atas kelompok kontrol dan tiga kelompok perlakuan dengan konsentrasi fraksi air buah lemon 20,6; 41,2; 82,4 mg/20 gram BB mencit. Data jumlah hepatosit dengan droplet lemak dan hepatocyte ballooning dianalisis menggunakan uji ANOVA dan Uji Kruskal Willis. Terdapat  perbedaan jumlah hepatosit dengan droplet lemak (p=0,063) dan hepatosit yang mengalami pembengkakan (p=0,109) antara kelompok kontrol dan kelompok perlakuan. Simpulan penelitian ini adalah fraksi air buah lemon dapat mencegah hepatocyte ballooning dan pembentukan droplet lemak pada hepatosit mencit tua yang diberikan pakan tinggi lemak.  PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF WATER FRACTION OF LEMON ON HIGH-FAT DIET-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN OLD MICEDyslipidemia is one of the risk factors of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is characterized by hepatic steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis. Flavonoid in Citrus limon is believed to prevent hepatic steatosis. The aim of this study is to know the protective effect of lemon’s water fraction on high-fat diet-induced liver injury in old mice. This was an experimental study with old male mice (Mus musculus) DDY strain divided into four groups randomly, consisting of control group and three groups given with water fraction of lemon at concentration 20.6; 41.2; 82.4 mg/20 gram mice body weight. Total count of hepatocytes with fat droplets and hepatocytes ballooning were analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal Willis tests. There are differences in the amount of hepatocytes with fat droplets (p=0.063) and hepatocytes ballooning (p=0.109) between the control group and the treatment group. The conclusion of this study is lemon’s water fraction can prevent the formation of hepatocyte ballooning and fat droplet in old mice’s hepatocyte fed by high-fat diet.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Zhou ◽  
Sihuan Xu ◽  
Yue Zhu ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Ao Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Research findings indicate Neuropilin-1 plays a critical role in lipid metabolism and obesity-associated insulin resistance, on such a basis, this study aims to explore the effects and working mechanism of Neuropilin-1 inhibition on the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat-diet induced obese mice. Methods Firstly, the pcDNA3.1-NRP-1 recombinant plasmid containing Neuropilin-1 gene and the Neuropilin-1 gene RNA interference plasmid shRNA-NRP1 were successfully constructed. A total of 36 C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 6 groups, blank group, control group, pcDNA3.1 injection group, pcDNA3.1-NRP-1 injection group, pGenesil-1.1 injection group and shRNA-NRP1 injection group. Expression of phospho-PI3K, phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR and Neuropilin-1 in liver was measured as well as body and liver weight, blood glucose, serum transaminases and lipid levels of the mice. Results The weight and liver mass of high-fat-diet fed mice injected with pcDNA3.1-NRP-1 were significantly higher than those from the control group, but their body weight and liver mass decreased significantly after shRNA-NRP1 injection. The results also showed that Neuropilin-1 expression can significantly influence the severity of hepatic steatosis in high-fat-diet fed mice, decreased serum FPG, LDL, AST, ALT levels and the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA. In addition, the Neuropilin-1 expression will also influence the p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR in mice. Conclusions This study concluded that the inhibition of Neuropilin-1 could improve Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by decreasing body weight and reduce inflammation in high-fat-diet induced obese mice by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janin Henkel ◽  
Eugenia Alfine ◽  
Juliana Saín ◽  
Korinna Jöhrens ◽  
Daniela Weber ◽  
...  

While the impact of dietary cholesterol on the progression of atherosclerosis has probably been overestimated, increasing evidence suggests that dietary cholesterol might favor the transition from blunt steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially in combination with high fat diets. It is poorly understood how cholesterol alone or in combination with other dietary lipid components contributes to the development of lipotoxicity. The current study demonstrated that liver damage caused by dietary cholesterol in mice was strongly enhanced by a high fat diet containing soybean oil-derived ω6-poly-unsaturated fatty acids (ω6-PUFA), but not by a lard-based high fat diet containing mainly saturated fatty acids. In contrast to the lard-based diet the soybean oil-based diet augmented cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes, presumably by impairing cholesterol-eliminating pathways. The soybean oil-based diet enhanced cholesterol-induced mitochondrial damage and amplified the ensuing oxidative stress, probably by peroxidation of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. This resulted in hepatocyte death, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and fibrosis, and caused a transition from steatosis to NASH, doubling the NASH activity score. Thus, the recommendation to reduce cholesterol intake, in particular in diets rich in ω6-PUFA, although not necessary to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, might be sensible for patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.


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