Palm-based tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation modulates cardiac sod1 expression, fxr target gene expression, and tauro-conjugated bile acid levels in aleptinemic mice fed a high-fat diet

Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) has been reported to protect the heart from oxidative stress-induced inflammation. It is, however, unclear whether the protective effects of TRF against oxidative stress involve the activation of farnesoid X receptor (fxr), a bile acid receptor, and the regulation of bile acid metabolites. In the current study, we investigated the effects of TRF supplementation on antioxidant activities, expression of fxr and its target genes in cardiac tissue, and serum untargeted metabolomics of high-fat diet-fed mice. Mice were divided into high-fat diet (HFD) with or without TRF supplementation (control) for 6 weeks. At the end of the intervention, body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and random blood glucose were measured. Heart tissues were collected, and the gene expression of sod1, sod2, gpx, and fxr and its target genes shp and stat3 was determined. Serum was subjected to untargeted metabolomic analysis using UHPLC-Orbitrap. In comparison to the control, the WC of the TRF-treated group was higher (p >0.05) than that of the HFD-only group, in addition there was no significant difference in weight or random blood glucose level. Downregulation of sod1, sod2, and gpx expression was observed in TRF-treated mice; however, only sod1 was significant when compared to the HFD only group. The expression of cardiac shp (fxr target gene) was significantly upregulated, but stat3 was significantly downregulated in the TRF-treated group compared to the HFD-only group. Biochemical pathways found to be influenced by TRF supplementation include bile acid secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and biotin and cholesterol metabolism. In conclusion, TRF supplementation in HFD-fed mice affects antioxidant activities, and more interestingly, TRF also acts as a signaling molecule that is possibly involved in several bile acid-related biochemical pathways accompanied by an increase in cardiac fxr shp expression. This study provides new insight into TRF in deregulating bile acid receptors and metabolites in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Comparison of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Model using Diet-Induced Nafld Mice with Genetically Modified Mice

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing steadily every year affecting all population both Western and Asian countries. The current treatments available for NAFLD are non-conclusive warranting newer effective pharmacological agents. Newly formulated agents require prior testing using animal models. However, in developing countries, these models are often costly. The possibility of using more affordable animal model in local settings should be investigated. In this study, ten Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and seven B6.Cg-LepOb/J leptin-knockout (JAX) male mice were recruited. Five ICR and all JAX mice were subjected to high-fat diet (60% kcal fat) and remaining ICR mice were given standard diet (SD) for six weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly while abdominal circumference, random blood glucose and liver span were measured at the end of the HFD study. Livers collected were subjected to histology assessment. Compared to ICR group, JAX group presented with significantly higher body weight (58 ± 0.72, p<0.05), larger body weight changes (16.57 ± 0.81, p<0.05), more HFD intake (197.14 ± 0.812, p<0.05) and larger abdominal circumference (11.79 ± 0.34: p<0.05). Liver from JAX group appeared with general steatosis and presentation of high-grade panacinar steatosis, low number of lobular inflammations and minimal fibrosis. Liver of ICR mice showed Zone 3 steatosis with high number of lobular inflammations without fibrosis. The NAFLD characteristics presented in JAX group suggested that B6.Cg-LepOb/J mice developed characteristics of NAFLD resembling human while ICR is suitable NAFLD model resembling human population resilient towards NAFLD.