The regulation of HBP1, SIRT1, and SREBP-1c genes and the related microRNAs in non-alcoholic fatty liver rats: The association with the folic acid anti-steatosis

PLoS One. 2022 Apr 13;17(4):e0265455. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265455. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Folic acid is one of the vital micronutrients that contribute to the genetic stability and other biological activities. In addition, microRNAs regulate gene expression through a multittude of pathways. Our current work aimd to explore the possible ameliorative potency of folic acid and its association with the hepatic miR-21, -34a, and -122 expression as well as their targeted genes, HBP1, SIRT1, and SREBP-1c in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL). A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, a control group (n = 10) and NAFL group (n = 40). Rats in NAFL group were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 20% fats for 14 weeks. The NAFL group was further subdivided into four groups (n = 10/group), one untreated and three orally folic acid-treated groups (25, 50, and 75 μg/Kg b.wt). NAFL characteristics was evaluated in rats in addition to the miR-21, -34a, and -122 profile as well as the transcriptional levels of HBP1, SIRT1, and SREBP-1c genes. NAFL rats exhibited the classic traits of fatty liver disease profile and dysregulation in the pattern of miR-21, -34a, and -122 expression as well as their targeted genes (HBP1, SIRT1, and SREBP-1c, respectively) in the liver. Additionally, NAFL rats had altered levels of TNF-α and adiponectin. These alterations were significantly ameliorated in a dose-dependent pattern following the folic acid treatments. In conclusions, the anti-steatotic, insulin-sensitizing, glucose-lowering and lipotropic potencies of folic acid in NAFL rats may be linked to the epigenetic modulation of the hepatic microRNAs (miR-21, -34a, and -122) and the expression of their target genes (HBP1, SIRT1, and SREBP-1c).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / drug therapy
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / genetics
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sirtuin 1 / genetics
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / genetics
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • mirn21 microRNA, rat
  • Folic Acid
  • Sirt1 protein, rat
  • Sirtuin 1

Grants and funding

This study received support from King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia and the Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS) at King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, grant no: RCAMS/KKU//008/21.