Xuezhikang alleviates lipid accumulation via AMPK activation in hepatocellular steatosis model

Abstract Xuezhikang (XZK) is an extract of Chinese red yeast rice. It has multiple protective effects in cardiovascular systems. However, the underlying mechanism by which XZK affects free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipogenesis in hepatocellular steatosis model is still unknown. Herein, we investigated this mechanism in HepG2 cells. The HepG2 cells were treated with palmitate acid (PA) to induce lipogenesis. Then the PA-induced HepG2 cells were subsequently treated with XZK. After 24 h of treatment, we determined the intracellular triglyceride (TG) contents and average areas of lipid droplets. To study the involvement of AMPK signaling pathway, we pre-treated the PA-induced HepG2 cells with Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, before XZK treatment. Expressions of p-AMPK and AMPK were determined by Western blot. The results showed that XZK decreased TG content and lipid accumulation in hepatocellular steatosis model. Compound C abolished the effects of XZK. These results demonstrated for the first time that XZK protects hepatocytes against lipid accumulation induced by free fatty acids. Its effects may be mediated by the activation of AMPK pathway.

Sinapine thiocyanate inhibits hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, atheroscle-rosis and hepatocellular steatosis in IR mice / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of sinapine thiocyanate(ST)on hyperglycemia,hyper-lipemia,atherosclerosis and hepatocellular steatosis of ApoE-/-mice with insulin resistance(IR)and the possible mecha-nisms.METHODS:ApoE-/-male mice(n=60)were assigned randomly into control group ,saline group,rosiglitazone group and ST treatment groups(at low,middle and high doses )with 10 mice in each group.The mice in control group were fed with fundamental diet ,while the mice in other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks.The mice in ST groups were given gavage with different doses of ST(10,30 and 90 mg· kg-1· d-1)simultaneously,while the mice in rosiglitazone group received gavage with rosigltazone(1.33 mg· kg-1 · d-1 ).In the last 3 weeks,the mice in control group received daily intrape-ritoneal injection of physiological saline ,and IR was induced in other groups by daily intrape-ritoneal injection of dexamethasone(0.8 mg/kg).The blood sample was collected and fasting plasma glucose was tested weekly through tail vein.After all animals fasted for 12 h at the end of the 12th week,they were sacrificed and the levels of fasting insulin,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),triglyceride,total cholesterol and liver lipids were measured.The li-ver tissue and aortic immobilized sections were detected by HE staining.The expression of the proteins related to liver lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle MAPK signaling pathway was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:ST showed dose-dependently reduced serum lipids ,plasma glucose and TNF-α(P<0.05),delayed hepatocellular steatosis and atheroscle-rosis,and dose-dependently regulated hepatic lipid metabolism signaling molecules(HMGR and SREBP-2)and MAPK signaling molecules(ERK and p38)(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:ST has the biological potential of reducing blood li-pids and relieving IR.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of liver lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle MAPK signaling pathway.