scholarly journals Ginsenoside Rg1 Ameliorates Palmitic Acid-Induced Hepatic Steatosis and Inflammation in HepG2 Cells via the AMPK/NF-κB Pathway

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Xiao ◽  
Shujun Zhang ◽  
Cheng Yang ◽  
Ruoyang Du ◽  
Jinqiu Zhao ◽  
...  

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the common diseases in the world, and it can progress from simple lipid accumulation to sustained inflammation. The present study was designed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) treatment on NAFLD in vitro. HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid (PA) to induce steatosis and inflammation and then successively incubated with G-Rg1. Lipids accumulation was analyzed by Oil Red O staining and intracellular triglyceride (TG) quantification. Inflammatory conditions were examined by quantifying the levels of cell supernatant alanine transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) and secretory proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the cell supernatants. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were used to measure the expressions of genes and proteins associated with lipogenic synthesis and inflammation, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. HepG2 cells were pretreated with an AMPK inhibitor; then, Oil Red O staining and TG quantification were performed to study the lipid deposition. Phospho-AMPK (Thr172) (p-AMPK) and phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Ser79) (p-ACCα) were quantified by immunoblotting. Immunofluorescence was performed to demonstrate the nuclear translocation of NF-κB P65. The present study showed that PA markedly increased the intracellular lipid droplets accumulation and TG levels, but decreased AMPK phosphorylation and the expressions of its downstream lipogenic genes. However, G-Rg1 alleviated hepatic steatosis and reduced the intracellular TG content; these changes were accompanied by the activation of the AMPK pathway. In addition, blocking AMPK by using the AMPK inhibitor markedly abolished the G-Rg1-mediated protection against PA-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, G-Rg1 reduced the ALT/AST levels and proinflammatory cytokines release, which were all enhanced by PA. These effects were correlated with the inactivation of the NF-κB pathway and translocation of P65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Overall, these results suggest that G-Rg1 effectively ameliorates hepatic steatosis and inflammation, which might be associated with the AMPK/NF-κB pathway.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Ormazabal ◽  
Sofía Sanhueza ◽  
Karin Herrera ◽  
Mariana Cifuentes ◽  
Rosaria Varì ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic chronic disease worldwide. NAFLD is characterized by an abnormal triglyceride (TG) accumulation (steatosis) in the liver, that may lead to hepatic inflammation (1). DGAT2 is a key enzyme that catalyzes the final step of TG synthesis and whose expression is elevated in NAFLD (2). FABP4 is a transporter of intracellular lipids and its levels are related with inflammation, characterized by a high expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Palmitic acid (PA, C16:0) and oleic acid (OA; C18:1) are two of the most abundant fatty acids that participate in the formation of TGs in hepatic cells in vivo and in vitro (3). Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) is a small bush that grows in the “Puna atacameña” in the North of Chile. The infusion from leaves and aerial parts of the plant has been used by local ethnic groups to treat and cure inflammatory diseases (4). The aim of this study was to assess in vitro the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Lampaya medicinalis (HEL) against OA/PA-induced steatosis and proinflammatory marker expression in HepG2 hepatocytes. Methods: HEL (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 μg/mL) cytotoxicity potential (48 h) was evaluated by Trypan blue exclusion. Cells were exposed for 48 h to 1 mM OA/PA (2:1) in the presence or not of 0.01 or 10 μg/mL HEL. Intracellular TGs were assessed with Oil Red O staining and quantified with Nile Red reagent by fluorimetry. mRNA expression of DGAT2, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β was evaluated by qRT-PCR. FABP4 content was assessed by Western blot. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture media were analysed by ELISA. Results: HEL was not cytotoxic at any concentration assessed (n=4; p>0.05). The increased content of TG induced by OA/PA was reduced in the presence of HEL (n=7; p<0.05), showing a strong consistency with Oil Red O staining. The increase in the protein content of FABP4 as well as the increment in mRNA expression of DGAT2, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β induced by OA/PA were lower in cells co-exposed to HEL (n=6-9; p<0.05). The incubation with HEL+OA/PA reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels in culture media compared to cells exposed to OA/PA alone (n=6-7; p<0.05). Conclusion: HEL reduces the OA/PA-induced increase in intracellular TG, DGAT2 and proinflammatory cytokine expression and FABP4 content, as well as the levels of secreted proinflammatory cytokines in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest a protective role for HEL against OA/PA-induced steatosis and inflammation, and therefore that Lampaya medicinalis may represent a promising therapeutic tool for pathologies such as NAFLD. References: (1) Gluchowski L, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;14(6):343-355. (2) Perry, et al. Nature. 2014;510(7503):84-91. (3) Cunningham P, et al. J Nutr. 2009;139(4):636–639. (4) Morales G, et al. Biol Res. 2014;47:6.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxin Zhang ◽  
Haixia Du ◽  
Menglan Shen ◽  
Zhengqi Zhao ◽  
Xinmiao Ye

Kangtaizhi granule (KTZG) is a Chinese medicine compound prescription and has been proven to be effective in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treatment clinically. However, the underlying mechanisms under this efficacy are rather elusive. In the present study, network pharmacology and HPLC analysis were performed to identify the chemicals of KTZG and related target pathways for NAFLD treatment. Network pharmacology screened 42 compounds and 79 related targets related to NAFLD; HPLC analysis also confirmed six compounds in KTZG. Further experiments were also performed. In an in vivo study, SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (rats fed with normal diet), NAFLD (rats fed with high-fat diet), and KTZG 0.75, 1.5, and 3 groups (NAFLD rats treated with KTZG 0.75, 1.5, and 3 g/kg, respectively). Serum lipids were biochemically determined; hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation were evaluated with HE and oil red O staining. In an in vitro study, HepG2 cells were incubated with 1 mM FFA to induce lipid accumulation with or without KTZG treatment. MTT assay, intracellular TG level, oil red O staining, and glucose uptake in cells were detected. Western blotting and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining were also performed to determine the expression of lipid-related genes PPAR-γ, SREBP-1, p-AKT, FAS, and SIRT1 and genes in the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. In high-fat diet-fed rats, KTZG treatment significantly improved liver organ index and serum lipid contents of TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, and AST significantly; HE and oil red O staining also showed that KTZG alleviated hepatic steatosis and liver lipid accumulation. In FFA-treated HepG2 cells, KTZG treatment decreased the intracellular TG levels, lipid accumulation, and attenuated glucose uptake significantly. More importantly, lipid-related genes PPAR-γ, SREBP-1, p-AKT, FAS, and SIRT1 expressions were ameliorated with KTZG treatment in high-fat diet-fed rats and FFA-induced HepG2 cells. The p-AMPK and p-mTOR expressions in the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway were also modified with KTZG treatment in high-fat diet-fed rats and HepG2 cells. These results indicated that KTZG effectively ameliorated lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis to prevent NAFLD in high-fat diet-fed rats and FFA-induced HepG2 cells, and this effect was associated with the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Our results suggested that KTZG might be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of NAFLD.


2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1109-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Hunt ◽  
J. A. Luff ◽  
L. Daniel ◽  
R. Van den Bergh

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 1617-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Fu Ji ◽  
Wan-Zhen Jiao ◽  
Yan Cheng ◽  
Hua Yan ◽  
Fan Su ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis includes steatosis along with liver inflammation, hepatocyte injury and fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the protective role and the potential mechanisms of a traditional Chinese medicine ShenFu (SF) preparation in an in vitro hepatic steatosis model. Methods: In palmitic acid (PA)-induced murine hepatic AML12 cell injury, effects of SF preparation on cellular apoptosis and intracellular triglyceride (iTG) level were assessed using TUNEL and TG Colorimetric Assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels were measured using DCF and JC-1 assay. Cytokine levels were evaluated using ELISA assay. Immunoblot was used to compare the activation level of c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK), NADPH oxidase (Nox4), and NFκB pathways. Results: Addition of SF preparation prevented PA-mediated increase of apoptosis and iTG as well as IL-8 and IL-6. In PA-treated cell, SF preparation reduced the level of Nox4 and ROS, while increasing the level of MMP and the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase, indicating emendation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Nox4 inhibitor GKT137381 prevented PA-induced increase of ROS and apoptosis, while decreasing iTG slightly and not influencing the level of IL-8 and IL-6. SF preparation prevented PA-induced upregulation of phospho-JNK. JNK inhibitor SP600125 prevented PA-mediated increase of Nox4, IL-8, IL-6 and iTG. Nuclear translocation of NFκB/p65 was detected in PA-treated cells, which was prevented by SF preparation. An IκB degradation inhibitor, BAY11-7082, prevented PA-induced increase of IL-8 and IL-6 as well as iTG, whereas it only decreased ROS levels slightly and showed no influence on cellular apoptosis. Conclusion: SF preparation shows a beneficial role in prevention of hepatocyte injury by attenuating oxidative stress and cytokines production at least partially through inhibition of JNK/Nox4 and JNK/NFκB pathway, respectively.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 827-833
Author(s):  
Zhonge Chen ◽  
Yanhua Tang ◽  
Wenyong Jiang ◽  
Xiaoqian Zhou

Aim: To evaluate Stard 3’s effects and relative mechanisms in preadipocyto differentiation by vitro study. Materials and Methods: The 3T3-L1 cell were divided into 5 groups as NC, si-Stard 3, ROS agonist, ROS inhibitor and si-Stard 3+ROS agonist groups. The cell of different groups were evaluated by Oil red O staining and Triglyceride. Evaluating ROS production by DHE and NBT assay. Using RT-qPCR and WB methods to evaluate gene and protein expressions. Results: Compared with NC group, Triglyceride, DHE fluorescence intensity and NBT positive rate were significantly down-regulation in si-Stard 3 and ROS inhibitor groups (P < 0.001, respectively), and were significantly up-regulation in ROS agonist group (P < 0.001, respectively); However, with si-Stard 3 transfection and ROS agonist treatment, compared with si-Stard 3 group, Triglyceride, DHE fluorescence intensity and NBT positive rate were significantly increased in si-Stard 3+ROS agonist group (P < 0.001, respectively). With RT-qPCR and WB assay, Compared with NC group, Stard 3 gene and protein expressions of si-Stard 3 and si-Stard 3+ROS agonist group were significantly depressed (P < 0.001, respectively), AMPK, PPARγ, CEBPα and FABP4 gene expressions were significantly differences in si-Stard 3, ROS agonist and ROS inhibitor groups (P < 0.001, respectively) and p-AMPK, PPARγ, CEBPα and FABP4 protein expressions were significantly differences in si-Stard 3, ROS agonist and ROS inhibitor groups (P < 0.001, respectively), with si-Stard 3 transfection and ROS agonist the relative gene and protein expressions were significantly resumed compared with si-Stard 3 group (P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Stard 3 knockdown had effects to suppress 3T3-L1 cells transformation into adipocytes in vitro study.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Xiao-Tian Zhang ◽  
Chun-Jiang Yu ◽  
Jian-Wei Liu ◽  
Yan-Ping Zhang ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
...  

We analyzed the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, Qizhi Jiangtang Jiaonang (QJJ), on insulin resistance (IR) in vitro. After an in vitro model of IR was established by treating human liver cancer cells (HepG2 cells) with palmitic acid, the cells were then treated with various concentrations of QJJ. Treatment with 400 µM palmitic acid for 24 h induced IR in HepG2 cells. The survival rate for HepG2 cells in the IR group was significantly lower than that of the untreated control group (P< 0.001); however, QJJ restored HepG2 cell survival (P< 0.001). As compared with HepG2 cells in the IR group, QJJ at all doses analyzed significantly increased glucose consumption (allP< 0.05). Moreover, treatment with all the QJJ doses significantly reduced the mean intracellular reactive oxygen species levels as compared with the IR group (allP< 0.05). Furthermore, high-dose QJJ reduced both TNF-αand IL-6 levels as compared to the IR group (allP< 0.05). QJJ ameliorated the altered PI3K, GLUT4, and RAGE expression observed with IR. In conclusion, QJJ can improve IR in HepG2 cells, which may be mediated through the IRS-1/PI3K/GLUT4 signaling pathway as well as regulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 741-748
Author(s):  
Mengxi Wang ◽  
Yaoyao Guo ◽  
Yumeng Zhou ◽  
Wanwan Yuan ◽  
Huixia Li ◽  
...  

AbstractOsteopontin (OPN), a secreted glycoprotein, is involved in various pathophysiological processes including immune response, inflammation, tumor formation, and metabolism. OPN exists in 2 forms, secreted-OPN (sOPN) and intracellular-OPN (iOPN). While they might have different biological activities, it remains largely unknown whether sOPN and iOPN induce the differentiation of brown adipocytes. To test this possibility, 3T3-L1 cells were induced by DMI induction with or without recombinant human OPN (rhOPN, 10, 50, 100, 200 μM), respectively. Meanwhile, another batch of 3T3-L1 cells were infected with Ad-GFP-ap2-OPN and followed by DMI differentiation. Subsequently, the infected cells were treated with either anti-CD44 antibody or immunoglobulin G (Ig G). Accumulation of lipid droplets was visualized by Oil red O staining and protein levels were assayed by western blotting analysis. The results showed that sOPN and not rhOPN, notably increased the accumulation of lipid droplets and the expression of brown adipocyte-related genes. Moreover, neutralization of CD44 partially abrogated the effects induced by sOPN. These data demonstrate that sOPN and not rhOPN has the capacity to induce the differentiation of white preadipocytes into brown adipocytes through a CD44-dependent mechanism. The findings might provide a potential target for sOPN to combat obesity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 2228-2240
Author(s):  
Yue Gao ◽  
Shujun Zhang ◽  
Jiajun Li ◽  
Jinqiu Zhao ◽  
Qing Xiao ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 453-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Zeng ◽  
WaiJiao Tang ◽  
JinJin Yin ◽  
LiJuan Feng ◽  
Yabing Li ◽  
...  

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with metabolic disorders including hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. Alisol A 24-acetate, a triterpene from Alismatis rhizome, has multiple biologic activities such as hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic. Thus we hypothesized that Alisol A 24 -acetate would have effect on NAFLD. The present study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Alisol A 24-acetate against hepatic steatosis in a free fatty acids (FFAs) induced NAFLD cell model. Methods: This study was divided into four groups including Control group, Model group (FFA group), Alisol A 24-acetate (FFA+A) group, Fenofibrate (FFA+F) group. Preventive role of Alisol A 24-acetate was evaluated using 10µM Alisol A 24-acetate plus 1 mM FFA (oleate:palmitate=2:1) incubated with HepG2 cells for 24 h, which was determined by Oil Red O Staining, Oil Red O based colorimetric assay and intracellular triglyceride (TG) content. Besides, the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α, interleukin (IL)-6 levels as well as the protein and mRNA expressions that were involved in fatty acid synthesis and oxidation including Adiponectin, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and acyl coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACOX1) were detected. Results: Alisol A 24-acetate significantly decreased the numbers of lipid droplets, Oil Red O lipid content, and intracellular TG content. Besides, inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 levels were markedly inhibited by Alisol A 24-acetate. Furthermore, Alisol A 24-acetate effectively increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Adiponectin, the phosphorylation of AMPKα, CPT1 and ACOX1, whereas decreased SREBP-1c, the phosphorylation of ACC and FAS at both protein and mRNA levels. However, there was no significant effect on the protein and mRNA expressions of PPARα by Alisol A 24-acetate. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that Alisol A 24-acetate effectively ameliorated hepatic steatosis likely through Adiponectin, which activated AMPKα signaling pathways via down-regulating SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS and up-regulating CPT1 and ACOX1, and inhibited inflammation. Thereby, Alisol A 24-acetate could be a promising candidate for the treatment of NAFLD.


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