Effect of Hesperidin Supplementation on Liver Metabolomics and Gut Microbiota in a High-Fat Diet-Induced NAFLD Mice Model

Vine tea total flavonoids activate the AMPK/mTOR pathway to amelioration hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high-fat diet

Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata), a traditional Chinese tea, is rich in flavonoids with various biological activities. Our study found that Vine tea total flavonoids (TFs) treatment reduced the body mass and blood lipid levels and improved the hepatic tissue morphology in mice fed the high-fat diet (HFD). In vivo, TF treatment activated the hepatic adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, initiated autophagy, and regulated the expression levels of proteins for lipid metabolism in those HFD-fed mice. In vitro, TF treatment dramatically reduced the lipid droplets and triacylglycerol content in HepG2 and L02 cells treated with oleic acid (OA). These were associated with the activation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway and autophagy initiation in OA-treated hepatocytes. This phenotype was abolished in the presence of 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor. Our results indicated that the TF activation of AMPK/mTOR leads to the stimulation of autophagy and a decrease in the buildup of intracellular lipids in hepatocytes, showing the potential of TF as a therapeutic agent for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Vine tea, a tea drink, has been consumed by Chinese folk for over a thousand years. The result of this study will provide evidence that vine tea total flavonoids have potential use as a functional material for the prevention and amelioration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Hesperidin alleviates zinc-induced nephrotoxicity via the gut-kidney axis in swine

Introduction

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element in animals, but excessive intake can lead to renal toxicity damage. Thus, the exploration of effective natural antagonists to reduce the toxicity caused by Zn has become a major scientific problem.

Methods

Here, we found that hesperidin could effectively alleviate the renal toxicity induced by Zn in pigs by using hematoxylin-eosin staining, transmission electron microscope, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and microfloral DNA sequencing.

Results

The results showed that hesperidin could effectively attenuate the pathological injury in kidney, and reduce autophagy and apoptosis induced by Zn, which evidenced by the downregulation of LC3, ATG5, Bak1, Bax, Caspase-3 and upregulation of p62 and Bcl2. Additionally, hesperidin could reverse colon injury and the decrease of ZO-1 protein expression. Interestingly, hesperidin restored the intestinal flora structure disturbed by Zn, and significantly reduced the abundance of Tenericutes (phylum level) and Christensenella (genus level).

Discussion

Thus, altered intestinal flora and intestinal barrier function constitute the gut-kidney axis, which is involved in hesperidin alleviating Zn-induced nephrotoxicity. Our study provides theoretical basis and practical significance of hesperidin for the prevention and treatment of Zn-induced nephrotoxicity through gut-kidney axis.

Tyrosol regulates hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of tyrosol (TYR) on the amelioration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD), a high-fat diet (HFD), or a HFD supplemented with 0.025% (w/w) TYR (TYR) for 16 weeks. Following a 16-week intervention, the TYR cohort exhibited diminished final body weight and hepatic lipid accumulation, compared to HFD fed mice. Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that TYR increased the hepatic levels of spermidine, taurine, linoleic acid, malic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), indicating the beneficial effect of TYR on lipid homeostasis. Using molecular docking analysis and the luciferase assay, we found that TYR acts as a ligand and binds with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), which plays a pivotal role in the modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, thereby activating the transcription of downstream genes. Our results suggest that TYR alleviates NAFLD in HFD-fed mice probably by the modulation of the PPARα signaling pathway.

A functional chicken-liver hydrolysate-based supplement ameliorates alcohol liver disease via regulation of antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antiapoptosis

Tons of broiler livers are produced yearly in Taiwan but always considered waste. Our team has successfully patented and characterized a chicken-liver hydrolysate (CLH) with several biofunctions. Chronic alcohol consumption causes hepatosteatosis or even hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancers. This study was to investigate the hepatoprotection of CLH-based supplement (GBHP01™) against chronic alcohol consumption. Results showed that GBHP01™ could reduce (p < .05) enlarged liver size, lipid accumulation/steatosis scores, and higher serum AST, ALT, γ-GT, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels induced by an alcoholic liquid diet. GBHP01™ reduced liver inflammation and apoptosis in alcoholic liquid-diet-fed mice via decreasing TBARS, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, increasing reduced GSH/TEAC levels and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx, as well as downregulating CYP2E1, BAX/BCL2, Cleaved CASPASE-9/Total CASPASE-9 and Active CASPASE-3/Pro-CASPASE-3 (p < .05). Furthermore, GBHP01™ elevated hepatic alcohol metabolism (ADH and ALDH activities) (p < .05). In conclusion, this study prove the hepatoprotection of GBHP01™ against alcohol consumption.

Naringin ameliorates obesity via stimulating adipose thermogenesis and browning, and modulating gut microbiota in diet-induced obese mice

Naringin, a natural flavanone primarily found in citrus fruits, has garnered increased attention due to its recognized antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective attributes. However, the functions of naringin in regulating energy expenditure are poorly understood. In the present study, we observed that twelve weeks of naringin supplementation substantially reshaped the metabolic profile of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, by inhibiting body weight gain, reducing liver weight, and altering body compositions. Notably, naringin exhibited a remarkable capacity to augment whole-body energy expenditure of the tested mice by enhancing the thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and stimulating browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). Furthermore, our results showed naringin supplementation modified gut microbiota composition, specifically increasing the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_28-4, while reducing the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_DW59 and Dubosiella_newyorkensis. Subsequently, we also found naringin supplementation altered fecal metabolite profile, by significantly promoting the production of taurine, tyrosol, and thymol, which act as potent activators of thermoregulation. Interestingly, the metabolic effects of naringin were abolished upon gut microbiota depletion through antibiotic intervention, concurrently leading the disappearance of naringin-induced thermogenesis and protective actions on diet-induced obesity. This discovery revealed a novel food-driven cross-sectional communication between gut bacteria and adipose tissues. Collectively, our data indicate that naringin supplementation stimulates BAT thermogenesis, alters fat distribution, promotes the browning process, and consequently inhibits body weight gain; importantly these metabolic effects require the participation of gut bacteria.

Human diet-derived polyphenolic compounds and hepatic diseases: From therapeutic mechanisms to clinical utilization

This review focuses on the potential ameliorative effects of polyphenolic compounds derived from human diet on hepatic diseases. It discusses the molecular mechanisms and recent advancements in clinical applications. Edible polyphenols have been found to play a therapeutic role, particularly in liver injury, liver fibrosis, NAFLD/NASH, and HCC. In the regulation of liver injury, polyphenols exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, primarily targeting the TGF-β, NF-κB/TLR4, PI3K/AKT, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. In the regulation of liver fibrosis, polyphenolic compounds effectively reverse the fibrotic process by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Furthermore, polyphenolic compounds show efficacy against NAFLD/NASH by inhibiting lipid oxidation and accumulation, mediated through the AMPK, SIRT, and PPARγ pathways. Moreover, several polyphenolic compounds exhibit anti-HCC activity by suppressing tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. This inhibition primarily involves blocking Akt and Wnt signaling, as well as inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, clinical trials and nutritional evidence support the notion that certain polyphenols can improve liver disease and associated metabolic disorders. However, further fundamental research and clinical trials are warranted to validate the efficacy of dietary polyphenols.

Differences in Absorption and Metabolism between Structured 1,3-Oleate-2-palmitate Glycerol and 1-Oleate-2-palmitate-3-linoleate Glycerol on C57BL/6J Mice

This study investigated differences in absorption and metabolism between 1,3-oleate-2-palmitate glycerol (OPO) and 1-oleate-2-palmitate-3-linoleate glycerol (OPL) using C57BL/6J mice. OPL was associated with higher postprandial plasma total triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations, and the ratio of LDL-C to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to those of OPO (p > 0.05). OPO significantly increased postprandial oleic acid (OA) concentrations compared to OPL over the entire monitoring period (p < 0.05), while OPL significantly elevated linoleic acid (LA) levels compared to OPO (p < 0.05). After 1 month of feeding, the mice in both OPO and OPL groups showed lower final weight, weight gain, and liver TG, LDL-C, and LDL/HDL concentrations compared to the control (soybean oil) group. Lipidomics results showed that OPO increased the biosynthesis of very long-chain fatty acids and decreased the abundance of AcCa (16:1), AcCa (18:2), AcCa (18:1), AcCa (16:0), CarE (16:0), and CarE (16:1) relative to OPL. These lipid metabolites were positively correlated with liver TG, LDL-C, and LDL/HDL levels and negatively related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α (PPARα) and acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX1) expression. This study showed differences in physiologic functions between OPO and OPL and provided support for the future application of OPL in infant formula.

A narrative review on the role of hesperidin on metabolic parameters, liver enzymes, and inflammatory markers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and inflammation play main roles in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Some studies have reported that hesperidin can reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by inhibiting inflammatory pathways. In the current study, our purpose was to evaluate whether it can influence the primary parameters in NAFLD and improve the treatment effectiveness for future trials. Various studies have found that hesperidin involves multiple signaling pathways such as cell proliferation, lipid and glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which can potentially affect NAFLD development and prognosis. Recent findings indicate that hesperidin also regulates key enzymes and may affect the severity of liver fibrosis. Hesperidin inhibits reactive oxygen species production that potentially interferes with the activation of transcription factors like nuclear factor-κB. Appropriate adherence to hesperidin may be a promising approach to modulate inflammatory pathways, metabolic indices, hepatic steatosis, and liver injury.

Chitobiose exhibited a lipid-lowering effect in ob/ob-/- mice via butyric acid enrolled liver-gut crosstalk

Chitobiose (COS2) efficiently lowers lipids in vivo and facilitates butyric acid enrichment during human fecal fermentation. However, whether COS2 can interact with butyric acid to generate a hypolipidemic effect remains unclear. This study examined the hypolipidemic mechanism of COS2 involving butyric acid, which could alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results revealed that COS2 administration modulated the β-oxidation pathway in the liver and restructured the short chain fatty acids in the fecal of ob/ob-/- mice. Moreover, the hypolipidemic effect of COS2 and its specific accumulated metabolite butyric acid was verified in sodium oleate-induced HepG2 cells. Butyric acid was more effective to reverse lipid accumulation and up-regulate β-oxidation pathway at lower concentrations. Furthermore, structural analysis suggested that butyric acid formed hydrogen bonds with key residues in hydrophilic ligand binding domains (LBDs) of PPARα and activated the transcriptional activity of the receptor. Therefore, the potential mechanism behind the lipid-lowering effect of COS2 in vivo involved restoring hepatic lipid disorders via butyric acid accumulation and liver-gut axis signaling.

Natural products in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Novel lead discovery for drug development

With changing lifestyles, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. A substantial increase in the incidence, mortality, and associated burden of NAFLD-related advanced liver disease is expected. Currently, the initial diagnosis of NAFLD is still based on ultrasound and there is no approved treatment method. Lipid-lowering drugs, vitamin supplementation, and lifestyle improvement treatments are commonly used in clinical practice. However, most lipid-lowering drugs can produce poor patient compliance and specific adverse effects. Therefore, the exploration of bio-diagnostic markers and active lead compounds for the development of innovative drugs is urgently needed. More and more studies have reported the anti-NAFLD effects and mechanisms of natural products (NPs), which have become an important source for new drug development to treat NAFLD due to their high activity and low side effects. At present, berberine and silymarin have been approved by the US FDA to enter clinical phase IV studies, demonstrating the potential of NPs against NAFLD. Studies have found that the regulation of lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related pathways may play important roles in the process. With the continuous updating of technical means and scientific theories, in-depth research on the targets and mechanisms of NPs against NAFLD can provide new possibilities to find bio-diagnostic markers and innovative drugs. As we know, FXR agonists, PPARα agonists, and dual CCR2/5 inhibitors are gradually coming on stage for the treatment of NAFLD. Whether NPs can exert anti-NAFLD effects by regulating these targets or some unknown targets remains to be further studied. Therefore, the study reviewed the potential anti-NAFLD NPs and their targets. Some works on the discovery of new targets and the docking of active lead compounds were also discussed. It is hoped that this review can provide some reference values for the development of non-invasive diagnostic markers and new drugs against NAFLD in the clinic.

3-Chloropropane-1,2-diol exposure adversely influenced the bio-accessibility signatures of digested infant foods by suppressing the destabilization of α-lactalbumin and d-aspartate oxidase in a dose-dependent manner

The potential mechanisms about the health risks of endogenous 3-MCPD remain elusive. Here, we researched the influences of 3-MCPD on the metabolic landscape of digested goat infant formulas via integrative UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS-MS/MS-based peptidomics and metabolomics (%RSDs ≤ 7.35 %, LOQ 2.99-58.77 μg kg^-1). Digested goat infant formulas under 3-MCPD-interference caused metabolic perturbation by down-regulating levels of peptides VGINYWLAHK (5.98-0.72 mg kg^-1) and HLMCLSWQ (3.25-0.72 mg kg^-1) pertained to health-promoting bioactive components, and accelerated the down-regulation of non-essential amino acids (AAs, l-tyrosine 0.88-0.39 mg kg^-1, glutamic acid 8.83-0.88 μg kg^-1, and d-aspartic acid 2.93-0.43 μg kg^-1), semi-essential AA (l-arginine 13.06-8.12 μg kg^-1) and essential AAs (l-phenylalanine 0.49-0.05 mg kg^-1) that provide nutritional value. Peptidomics and metabolomics interactions elucidated that 3-MCPD altered the stability of α-lactalbumin and d-aspartate oxidase in a dose-dependent manner, and affected the flavor perception of goat infant formulas, leading to a decline of nutritional value of goat infant formulas.

1-Oleate-2-palmitate-3-linoleate glycerol improves lipid metabolism and gut microbiota and decreases the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Numerous studies have shown that 1-oleate-2-palmitate-3-linoleate (OPL) is the most abundant TAG in Chinese human milk, which is significantly different from human milk in other countries, where 1,3-oleate-2-palmitate (OPO) is the most abundant TAG. However, there have been few studies revealing the nutritional outcomes of OPL. Hence, the present study investigated the effects of an OPL supplementation diet on mice's nutritional outcomes, including liver lipid parameters, inflammation, lipidomes in the liver and serum, and the gut bacterial community. A high OPL (HOPL) diet decreased body weight, weight gain, liver TG, TC and LDL-C, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in mice relative to low OPL (LOPL) diet. Lipidomics results showed that HOPL feeding elevated the level of anti-inflammatory lipids, such as very long-chain Cer, LPC, PC and ether TG in the liver, and serum PC, and reduced the level of oxidized lipids (liver OxTG, HexCer 18:1;2O/22:0) and serum TG. In the gut, intestinal probiotics, including Parabacteroides, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Alloprevotella and Parasutterrlla, were enriched in the HOPL-fed group. Meanwhile, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis results showed that the HOPL diet up-regulated energy metabolism and the immune system. Correlation analysis further showed that there was a relationship among the gut bacteria, lipidome profile, and nutritional outcomes. Altogether, these results indicated that an OPL-supplemented diet improved lipid metabolism and gut bacteria, reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Gypenosides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by regulating lipid metabolism

Gypenosides (GP), extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, have been used to treat metabolic disorders, including lipid metabolism disorders and diabetes. Although recent studies have confirmed their beneficial effects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the underlying therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we explored the protective mechanism of GP against NAFLD in mice and provided new insights into the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Male C57BL6/J mice were divided into three experimental groups: normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and GP groups. The mice were fed an HFD for 16 weeks to establish an NAFLD model and then treated with GP for 22 weeks. The transcriptome and proteome of the mice livers were profiled using RNA sequencing and high-resolution mass spectrometry, respectively. The results showed that GP decreased serum lipid levels, liver index, and liver fat accumulation in mice. Principal component and heatmap analyses indicated that GP significantly modulated the changes in the expression of genes associated with HFD-induced NAFLD. The 164 differentially expressed genes recovered using GP were enriched in fatty acid and steroid metabolism pathways. Further results showed that GP reduced fatty acid synthesis by downregulating the expression of Srebf1, Fasn, Acss2, Acly, Acaca, Fads1, and Elovl6; modulated glycerolipid metabolism by inducing the expression of Mgll; promoted fatty acid transportation and degradation by inducing the expression of Slc27a1, Cpt1a, and Ehhadh; and reduced hepatic cholesterol synthesis by downregulating the expression of Tm7sf2, Ebp, Sc5d, Lss, Fdft1, Cyp51, Nsdhl, Pmvk, Mvd, Fdps, and Dhcr7. The proteomic data further indicated that GP decreased the protein expression levels of ACACA, ACLY, ACSS2, TM7SF2, EBP, FDFT1, NSDHL, PMVK, MVD, FDPS, and DHCR7 and increased those of MGLL, SLC27A1, and EHHADH. In conclusion, GP can regulate the key genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice, providing initial evidence for the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of GP in NAFLD.

Aqueous extract of Artemisia capillaris improves non-alcoholic fatty liver and obesity in mice induced by high-fat diet

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases and is a nutritional metabolic disease. Artemisia capillaris (AC) is the above-ground dried part of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. or Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit., a natural medicinal plant with pharmacological effects of heat-clearing and biliary-promoting. In order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Artemisia capillaris on NAFLD and obesity, experiments were conducted using aqueous extracts of Artemisia capillaris (WAC) to intervene in NAFLD models in vivo and in vitro. In vivo experiments were performed using HFD-fed (high fat diet) C57BL/6 mice to induce NAFLD model, and in vitro experiments were performed using oleic acid to induce HepG2 cells to construct NAFLD cell model. H.E. staining and oil red O staining of liver tissue were used to observe hepatocytes. Blood biochemistry analyzer was used to detect serum lipid levels in mice. The drug targets and mechanism of action of AC to improve NAFLD were investigated by western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The results showed that C57BL/6 mice fed HFD continuously for 16 weeks met the criteria for NAFLD in terms of lipid index and hepatocyte fat accumulation. WAC was able to reverse the elevation of serum lipid levels induced by high-fat diet in mice. WAC promoted the phosphorylation levels of PI3K/AKT and AMPK in liver and HepG2 cells of NAFLD mice, inhibited SREBP-1c expression, reduced TG and lipogenesis, and decreased lipid accumulation. In summary, WAC extract activates PI3K/AKT pathway, reduces SREBP-1c protein expression by promoting AMPK phosphorylation, and decreases fatty acid synthesis and TG content in hepatocytes. AC can be used as a potential health herb to improve NAFLD and obesity.

Structural Insights into Amelioration Effects of Quercetin and Its Glycoside Derivatives on NAFLD in Mice by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Host Metabolism

The sugar moieties of natural flavonoids determine their absorption, bioavailability, and bioactivity in humans. To explore structure-dependent bioactivities of quercetin, isoquercetin, and rutin, which have the same basic skeleton linking different sugar moieties, we systemically investigated the ameliorative effects of dietary these flavonoids on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of mice. Our results revealed that isoquercetin exhibits the strongest capability in improving NAFLD phenotypes of mice, including body and liver weight gain, glucose intolerance, and systemic inflammation in comparison with quercetin and rutin. At the molecular level, dietary isoquercetin markedly ameliorated liver dysfunction and host metabolic disorders in mice with NAFLD. At the microbial level, the three flavonoids compounds, especially isoquercetin, can effectively regulate the gut microbiota composition, such as genera Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, which were significantly disrupted in NAFLD mice. These comparative findings offer new insights into the structure-dependent activities of natural flavonoids for NAFLD treatment.