ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of rhein lysinate (RHL) on the liver. Mice were divided into four groups: C57BL/J control, the KK/HlJ diabetic model, and 25 and 50 mg/kg/day RHL-treated KK/HlJ groups. The KK/HlJ diabetic mouse model was made by injecting STZ and feeding mice diabetic food. At 16 weeks, mice were sacrificed and their livers were harvested. The results indicated that compared with the C57BL/J control group, the body weights, liver weights and liver weight-to-body weight ratio were increased in KK/HlJ diabetic mice; however, these values were decreased following treatment with RHL. Compared with the C57BL/J control, KK/HlJ diabetic mice had a significantly lower level of SOD and GSH-px in their livers, but had a significantly higher level of MDA. However, these effects were ameliorated by RHL. Hepatic adipose infiltration was observed in KK/HlJ mice, but not in C57BL/J mice. RHL decreased the incidence of hepatic adipose infiltration and significantly decreased the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, SREBP-1c, and Fas, as well as the phosphorylation of NF-κB in the liver. In conclusion, RHL can improve hepatic function by decreasing hepatic adipose infiltration and the expression of inflammatory factors.
