Epigallocatechin-3-gallate activates the AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway to reduce lipid accumulation in canine hepatocytes

J Cell Physiol. 2021 Jan;236(1):405-416. doi: 10.1002/jcp.29869. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Abstract

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) plays a crucial role in hepatic lipid metabolism. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of hepatic lipid metabolism by EGCG in canine is unclear. Primary canine hepatocytes were treated with EGCG (0.01, 0.1, or 1 μM) and BML-275 (an AMP-activated protein kinase [AMPK] inhibitor) to study the effects of EGCG on the gene and protein expressions associated with AMPK signaling pathway. Data showed that treatment with EGCG had greater activation of AMPK, as well as greater expression levels and transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα) along with upregulated messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance and protein abundance of PPARα-target genes. EGCG decreased the expression levels and transcriptional activity of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) along with downregulated mRNA abundance and protein abundance of SREBP-1c target genes. Of particular interest, exogenous BML-275 could reduce or eliminate the effects of EGCG on lipid metabolism in canine hepatocytes. Furthermore, the content of triglyceride was significantly decreased in the EGCG-treated groups. These results suggest that EGCG might be a potential agent in preventing high-fat diet-induced lipid accumulation in small animals.

Keywords: AMPK signaling pathway; canine; epigallocatechin-3-gallate; hepatocyte; lipid metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Dogs
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Lipid Metabolism / genetics*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • PPAR alpha / genetics
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Triglycerides / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • BML-275
  • PPAR alpha
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • Triglycerides
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases