Protective Effects of Panax japonicus Saponins on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through MiR-34a and PPARα Expression Regulation
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Abstract:
The protective effects of total saponins from Panax japonicus (TSPJ) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice were investigated. A mouse model of NAFLD was established by feeding a high-fat, high-fructose diet, with simultaneous gavage administration of TSPJ (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) to the TSPJ group for 3 weeks. Serum- and liver-related indicators were monitored; histopathologic changes in liver were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and oil red O staining. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were utilized for the detection of transcriptional levels of miRNA and related genes in liver tissue and the expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α, respectively. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and liver triglyceride (TG) in the model group were higher than those in the normal group. HE staining and oil red O staining showed fatty degeneration and fat deposition in the liver tissue, suggesting that a successful NAFLD model had been established. The results of RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of microRNA (miR)-34a, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c, and fatty acid synthase (FASN) were significantly increased. Compared with the fatty liver group, the TSPJ treatment group showed significantly improved histopathologic changes in liver, reduced fat deposition, and reduced ALT levels. Therefore, intervention of the total saponins of Panax japonicus on fatty liver in mice was realized by blocking miR-34a, targeting PPARα signaling pathways.
