Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in ob/ob mice treated with yo jyo hen shi ko (YHK): effects on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP)

Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Dec;52(12):3448-54. doi: 10.1007/s10620-007-9810-8. Epub 2007 Mar 30.

Abstract

YHK has antioxidant properties, has a hypoglycemic effect, and may reduce plasma lipid levels. In this study, we examined the hepatic expression of PPAR-alpha and -gamma and MTP in ob/ob mice receiving or not receiving YHK. Ob/ob mice were assigned to receive oral YHK (20 mg/kg/day) fed solution (methionine/choline-deficient [MCD] diet+YHK group) or vehicle (MCD group) by gavage for 4 weeks. Liver fragments were collected for histologic examination and mRNA isolation. PPAR-alpha and -gamma and MTP gene expression was examined by RT-qPCR. YHK treatment was associated with NASH prevention, weight loss, and reduction of visceral fat and of serum concentrations of aminotransferases in comparison to the MCD group. YHK promoted an increment in PPAR-alpha and MTP and a decrement in PPAR-gamma mRNA contents. These findings suggest that modulation of PPAR-alpha and -gamma and MTP RNA expression may be implicated in the protective effect of YHK in experimental NASH, limiting hepatocyte lipid accumulation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy
  • Fatty Liver / genetics
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression / genetics*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Microsomes, Liver
  • PPAR alpha / biosynthesis
  • PPAR alpha / drug effects
  • PPAR alpha / genetics*
  • PPAR gamma / biosynthesis
  • PPAR gamma / drug effects
  • PPAR gamma / genetics*
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • PPAR alpha
  • PPAR gamma
  • Plant Preparations
  • RNA, Messenger
  • YHK herbal compound
  • microsomal triglyceride transfer protein