Alterations In Hepatic Lipid Metabolism Research Articles

Integrated bioinformatics and multiomics reveal Liupao tea extract alleviating NAFLD via regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) poses a significant global public health concern. Liupao tea (LPT) is a Chinese national geographical indication product renowned for its lipid-lowering properties. However, the precise mechanisms and active constituents contributing to the efficacy of LPT against NAFLD remain unclear. PurposeThis study aims to comprehensively explore the therapeutic potential of Liupao tea extract (LPTE) in alleviating NAFLD through an integrated strategy. MethodsInitially, network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on LPTE chemical ingredient analysis, identifying core targets and key components. Potential active ingredients were validated through chemical standards based on LC-MS/MS. To confirm the pharmacological efficacy of LPTE in NAFLD, NAFLD mice models were employed. Alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism were comprehensively elucidated through integration of metabolomics, lipidomics, network pharmacology analysis, and real-time PCR analysis. To further explore the binding interactions between key components and core targets, molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis (MST) analysis were employed. Furthermore, to investigate LPTE administration effectiveness on gut microbiota in NAFLD mice, a comprehensive approach was employed. This included Metorigin analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing, molecular docking, and fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT). ResultsStudy identified naringenin, quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol as the potential active ingredients of LPTE. These compounds exhibited therapeutic potential for NAFLD by targeting key proteins such as PTGS2, CYP3A4, and ACHE, which are involved in the metabolic pathways of hepatic linoleic acid (LA) and glycerophospholipid (GP) metabolism. The therapeutic effectiveness of LPTE was observed to be comparable to that of simvastatin. Furthermore, LPTE exhibited notable efficacy in alleviating NAFLD by influencing alterations in gut microbiota composition (Proteobacteria phylum, Lactobacillus and Dubosiella genus) that perhaps impact LA and GP metabolic pathways. ConclusionLPTE could be effective in preventing high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD by modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. This study firstly integrated bioinformatics and multi-omics technologies to identify the potential active components and key microbiota associated with LPTE's effects, while also primally elucidating the action mechanisms of LPTE in alleviating NAFLD. The findings offer a conceptual basis for LPTE's potential transformation into an innovative pharmaceutical agent for NAFLD prevention.

Effects of Dietary Plant Protein Replacement with Insect and Poultry By-Product Meals on the Liver Health and Serum Metabolites of Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) and Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The liver health of Gilthead sea bream and European sea bass, fed with fish meal-free diets, including various proportions of plant proteins, as well as insect and poultry by-product meals, was investigated through biochemical and histological analyses using a new liver index (LI) formula. Four isoproteic (45% Dry Matter, DM) and isolipidic (20% DM) diets were compared, including a plant-based control diet (CV) and three other test diets, in which 40% of a plant protein-rich ingredient mixture was replaced with meals from Hermetia illucens (H40) or poultry by-product (P40) alone, or in combination (H10P30). The trials lasted 12 and 18 weeks for sea bream and sea bass, respectively. The results obtained thus far highlighted species-specific differences in the physiological response to dietary changes. In sea bream, the biochemical and histological responses suggest favorable physiological and liver health statuses, with higher serum cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TAG) levels, as well as moderate hepatocyte lipid accumulation, with the H10P30 diet compared to the CV (p < 0.05). In sea bass, all diets resulted in elevated serum TAG levels and lipid accumulation in the liver, particularly in fish fed the P40 one (p < 0.05), which resulted in the highest LI, coupled with a higher frequency of severe lipid accumulation, hypertrophy, cord loss, peripheral nuclei displacement, and pyknosis. In conclusion, sea bream adapted well to the test diets, whereas sea bass exhibited altered hepatic lipid metabolism leading to incipient liver steatosis, likely due to the high lipid contents of the diets, including the insect and poultry meals. The LI formula developed in this study proved to be a reliable tool for assessing the effects of dietary changes on the liver health of sea bream and sea bass, consistent with biochemical and histological findings.

Low sphingolipid levels predict poor survival in patients with alcohol-related liver disease

Alcohol-related hepatitis (AH) and alcohol-related cirrhosis are grave conditions with poor prognoses. Altered hepatic lipid metabolism can impact disease development and varies between different alcohol-related liver diseases. Therefore, we aimed to investigate lipidomics and metabolomics at various stages of alcohol-related liver diseases and their correlation with survival. Patients with newly diagnosed alcohol-related cirrhosis, who currently used alcohol (ALC-A), stable outpatients with decompensated alcohol-related cirrhosis with at least 8 weeks of alcohol abstinence (ALC), and patients with AH, were compared with each other and with healthy controls (HC). Circulating lipids and metabolites were analysed using HPLC and mass spectrometry. Forty patients with ALC, 95 with ALC-A, 30 with AH, and 42 HC provided plasma. Lipid levels changed according to disease severity, with generally lower levels in AH and cirrhosis than in the HC group; this was most pronounced for AH, followed by ALC-A. Nine out of 10 free fatty acids differed between cirrhosis groups by relative increases of 0.12-0.66 in ALC compared with the ALC-A group (p <0.0005). For metabolomics, total bile acids increased by 19.7, 31.3, and 80.4 in the ALC, ALC-A, and AH groups, respectively, compared with HC (all p <0.0001). Low sphingolipid ([d42:1] and [d41:1]) levels could not predict 180-day mortality (AUC= 0.73, p= 0.95 and AUC= 0.73, p= 0.95) more accurately than the model for end-stage liver disease score (AUC= 0.71), but did predict 90-day mortality (AUC d42:1= 0.922, AUC d41:1= 0.893; pd42:1= 0.005, pd41:1= 0.007) more accurately than the MELD score AUCMELD= 0.70, pMELD= 0.19). Alcohol-related severe liver disease is characterised by low lipid levels progressing with severity of liver disease, especially low sphingomyelins, which also associate to poor prognoses. Lipidomics has the potential to diagnose and risk stratify patients with liver diseases. Lipidomics differed between patients with alcohol-related hepatitis and alcohol-related cirrhosis with and without recent alcohol use. Furthermore, lipidomics could predict short-term mortality and might be suitable as a prognostic tool in the future. Scientific Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark, journal no. H-21013476.

Abstract P3073: Altered Mitochondrial Mg 2+ Homeostasis In Liver Links Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation And Atherogenesis

Although evidences show the role of Mg 2+ in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, the molecular mechanism by which loss of Mg 2+ homeostasis promotes cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not known. Mg 2+ homeostasis is regulated by mitochondria and Mrs2 is the only known molecular machinery associated with mitochondrial Mg 2+ influx. To begin elucidating the importance of Mg 2+ homeostasis in lipid metabolism and CVD we made liver-specific Mrs2 KO mouse (Mrs2 Δhep ). Liver being the central hub of lipid metabolism, we asked whether loss of Mrs2 alters lipid metabolism and lipoprotein profile. Our results show increased accumulation of hepatic triacylglycerol (TG) and cholesterol in Mrs2 Δhep . Consistent with increased TG/cholesterol, plasma cholesterol and oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels significantly differed between control and KO. Because ox-LDL contribute to atherosclerosis, we hypothesized altered hepatic lipid metabolism to induce inflammation, immune imbalance and accelerate lesions through modified atherogenic lipoprotein and cytokine profile. Quantification of plasma cytokines and chemokines were performed using the proteome profiler. Because T cells are critical drivers and modifiers of atherosclerosis, we quantified the lymphocyte and monocyte subsets by flow cytometry. Because T regulatory cells have anti-antherogenic roles, we studied the effect of ox-LDL on Tregs. Our results show increased and decreased levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines respectively in Mrs2 Δhep . In Mrs2 Δhep stimulation with ox-LDL showed an increased antigen specific proliferation of T-cells. We also observed increased and decreased population of Th17 and Tregs respectively. The decrease in Tregs population was attributed to increased apoptosis. In conclusion our observation suggests that high levels of ox-LDL in Mrs2 Δhep to induce inflammation and inflammatory cell expansion accompanied by apoptosis in Tregs. Our results conclude dysregulated Mg 2+ homeostasis to alter lipid metabolism and atherogenesis by inducing inflammation and compromised Tregs population. Our study will be the first of its kind to establish a triangular molecular link between Mg 2+ homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and atherogenesis.

Postprandial Plasma Lipidomics Reveal Specific Alteration of Hepatic-derived Diacylglycerols in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Hepatic energy metabolism is a dynamic process modulated by multiple stimuli. In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), human studies typically focus on the static fasting state. We hypothesized that unique postprandial alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism are present in NAFLD. In a prospective clinical study, 37 patients with NAFLD and 10 healthy control subjects ingested a standardized liquid meal with pre- and postprandial blood sampling. Postprandial plasma lipid kinetics were characterized at the molecular lipid species level by untargeted lipidomics, cluster analysis, and lipid particle isolation, then confirmed in a mouse model. There was a specific increase of multiple plasma diacylglycerol (DAG) species at 4 hours postprandially in patients with NAFLD but not in controls. This was replicated in a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model, where postprandial DAGs increased in plasma and concomitantly decreased in the liver. The increase in plasma DAGs appears early in the disease course, is dissociated from NAFLD severity and obesity, and correlates with postprandial insulin levels. Immunocapture isolation of very low density lipoprotein in human samples and stable isotope tracer studies in mice revealed that elevated postprandial plasma DAGs reflect hepatic secretion of endogenous, rather than meal-derived lipids. We identified a selective insulin-related increase in hepatic secretion of endogenously derived DAGs after a mixed meal as a unique feature of NAFLD. DAGs are known to be lipotoxic and associated with atherosclerosis. Although it is still unknown whether the increased exposure to hepatic DAGs contributes to extrahepatic manifestations and cardiovascular risk in NAFLD, our study highlights the importance of extending NAFLD research beyond the fasting state.

RNF43/ZNRF3 loss predisposes to hepatocellular-carcinoma by impairing liver regeneration and altering the\xa0liver lipid metabolic ground-state

RNF43/ZNRF3 negatively regulate WNT signalling. Both genes are mutated in several types of cancers, however, their contribution to liver disease is unknown. Here we describe that hepatocyte-specific loss of Rnf43/Znrf3 results in steatohepatitis and in increase in unsaturated lipids, in the absence of dietary fat supplementation. Upon injury, Rnf43/Znrf3 deletion results in defective hepatocyte regeneration and liver cancer, caused by an imbalance between differentiation/proliferation. Using hepatocyte-, hepatoblast- and ductal cell-derived organoids we demonstrate that the differentiation defects and lipid alterations are, in part, cell-autonomous. Interestingly, ZNRF3 mutant liver cancer patients present poorer prognosis, altered hepatic lipid metabolism and steatohepatitis/NASH signatures. Our results imply that RNF43/ZNRF3 predispose to liver cancer by controlling the proliferative/differentiation and lipid metabolic state of hepatocytes. Both mechanisms combined facilitate the progression towards malignancy. Our findings might aid on the management of those RNF43/ZNRF3 mutated individuals at risk of developing fatty liver and/or liver cancer.

Exposure to environmental contaminants is associated with altered hepatic lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Recent experimental models and epidemiological studies suggest that specific environmental contaminants (ECs) contribute to the initiation and pathology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the underlying mechanisms linking EC exposure with NAFLD remain poorly understood and there is no data on their impact on the human liver metabolome. Herein, we hypothesized that exposure to ECs, particularly perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), impacts liver metabolism, specifically bile acid metabolism. In a well-characterized human NAFLD cohort of 105 individuals, we investigated the effects of EC exposure on liver metabolism. We characterized the liver (via biopsy) and circulating metabolomes using 4 mass spectrometry-based analytical platforms, and measured PFAS and other ECs in serum. We subsequently compared these results with an exposure study in a PPARa-humanized mouse model. PFAS exposure appears associated with perturbation of key hepatic metabolic pathways previously found altered in NAFLD, particularly those related to bile acid and lipid metabolism. We identified stronger associations between the liver metabolome, chemical exposure and NAFLD-associated clinical variables (liver fat content, HOMA-IR), in females than males. Specifically, we observed PFAS-associated upregulation of bile acids, triacylglycerols and ceramides, and association between chemical exposure and dysregulated glucose metabolism in females. The murine exposure study further corroborated our findings, vis-à-vis a sex-specific association between PFAS exposure and NAFLD-associated lipid changes. Females may be more sensitive to the harmful impacts of PFAS. Lipid-related changes subsequent to PFAS exposure may be secondary to the interplay between PFAS and bile acid metabolism. There is increasing evidence that specific environmental contaminants, such as perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), contribute to the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it is poorly understood how these chemicals impact human liver metabolism. Here we show that human exposure to PFAS impacts metabolic processes associated with NAFLD, and that the effect is different in females and males.

Saliva and Plasma Reflect Metabolism Altered by Diabetes and Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder caused by disintegration of the balance between the periodontal microbiome and host response. While growing evidence suggests links between periodontitis and various metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic liver disease, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which often coexist in individuals with abdominal obesity, factors linking periodontal inflammation to common metabolic alterations remain to be fully elucidated. More detailed characterization of metabolomic profiles associated with multiple oral and cardiometabolic traits may provide better understanding of the complexity of oral-systemic crosstalk and its underlying mechanism. We performed comprehensive profiling of plasma and salivary metabolomes using untargeted gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to investigate multivariate covariation with clinical markers of oral and systemic health in 31 T2D patients with metabolic comorbidities and 30 control subjects. Orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) results enabled more accurate characterization of associations among 11 oral and 25 systemic clinical outcomes, and 143 salivary and 78 plasma metabolites. In particular, metabolites that reflect cardiometabolic changes were identified in both plasma and saliva, with plasma and salivary ratios of (mannose + allose):1,5-anhydroglucitol achieving areas under the curve of 0.99 and 0.92, respectively, for T2D diagnosis. Additionally, OPLS analysis of periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) as the numerical response variable revealed shared and unique responses of metabolomic and clinical markers to PISA between healthy and T2D groups. When combined with linear regression models, we found a significant correlation between PISA and multiple metabolites in both groups, including threonate, cadaverine and hydrocinnamate in saliva, as well as lactate and pentadecanoic acid in plasma, of which plasma lactate showed a predominant trend in the healthy group. Unique metabolites associated with PISA in the T2D group included plasma phosphate and salivary malate, while those in the healthy group included plasma gluconate and salivary adenosine. Remarkably, higher PISA was correlated with altered hepatic lipid metabolism in both groups, including higher levels of triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, leading to increased risk of cardiometabolic disease based on a score summarizing levels of CVD-related biomarkers. These findings revealed the potential utility of saliva for evaluating the risk of metabolic disorders without need for a blood test, and provide evidence that disrupted liver lipid metabolism may underlie the link between periodontitis and cardiometabolic disease.

The Role of Fatty Acids in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression: An Update.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health problem worldwide. NAFLD (both simple steatosis and steatohepatitis) is characterized by alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism, which may lead to the development of severe liver complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, an exhaustive examination of lipid disorders in the liver of NAFLD patients is much needed. Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics platforms allow for in-depth analysis of lipid alterations in a number of human diseases, including NAFLD. This review summarizes the current research on lipid alterations associated with NAFLD and related complications, with special emphasis on the changes in long-chain and short-chain fatty acids levels in both serum and liver tissue, as well as in the hepatic expression of genes encoding the enzymes catalyzing lipid interconversions.

SPARC inhibition accelerates NAFLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma development by dysregulating hepatic lipid metabolism.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and its more serious form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lipid metabolic alterations and its role in HCC development remain unclear. SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) is involved in lipid metabolism, NAFLD and diabetes, but the effects on hepatic lipid metabolism and HCC development is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of SPARC in HCC development in the context of NAFLD. Primary hepatocyte cultures from knockout (SPARC-/- ) or wild-type (SPARC+/+ ) mice, and HepG2 cells were used to assess the effects of free fatty acids on lipid accumulation, expression of lipogenic genes and de novo triglyceride (TG) synthesis. A NAFLD-HCC model was stabilized on SPARC-/- or SPARC+/+ mice. Correlations among SPARC, lipid metabolism-related gene expression patterns and clinical prognosis were studied using HCC gene expression dataset. SPARC-/- mice increases hepatic lipid deposits over time. Hepatocytes from SPARC-/- mice or inhibition of SPARC by an antisense adenovirus in HepG2 cells resulted in increased TG deposit, expression of lipid-related genes and nuclear translocation of SREBP1c. Human HCC database analysis revealed that SPARC negatively correlated with genes involved in lipid metabolism, and with poor survival. In NAFLD-HCC murine model, the absence of SPARC accelerates HCC development. RNA-seq study revealed that pathways related to lipid metabolism, cellular detoxification and proliferation were upregulated in SPARC-/- tumour-bearing mice. The absence of SPARC is associated with an altered hepatic lipid metabolism, and an accelerated NAFLD-related HCC development.

GDF11 rapidly increases lipid accumulation in liver cancer cells through ALK5-dependent signaling

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the fastest-growing causes of cancer-related mortalities worldwide and this trend is mimicked by the surge of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Altered hepatic lipid metabolism promotes HCC development through inflammation and activation of oncogenes. GDF11 is a member of the TGF-β superfamily and recent data have implicated GDF11 as an anti-aging factor that can alleviate high-fat diet induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and NAFLD. However, its role in hepatic lipid metabolism is still not fully delineated. The aim of the present study was to characterize the role of GDF11 in hepatic and HCC cells lipid accumulation. To achieve this, we performed imaging, biochemical, lipidomic, and transcriptomic analyses in primary hepatocytes and in HCC cells treated with GDF11 to study the GDF11-activated signaling pathways. GDF11 treatment rapidly triggered ALK5-dependent SMAD2/3 nuclear translocation and elevated lipid droplets in HCC cells, but not in primary hepatocytes. In HCC cells, ALK5 inhibition hampered GDF11-mediated SMAD2/3 signaling and attenuated lipid accumulation. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, we detected increased accumulation of longer acyl-chain di/tri-acylglycerols and glycerophospholipids. Unbiased transcriptomic analysis identified TGF-β and PI3K-AKT signaling among the top pathways/cellular processes activated in GDF11 treated HCC cells.In summary, GDF11 supplementation promotes pro-lipogenic gene expression and lipid accumulation in HCC cells. Integration of our “omics” data pointed to a GDF11-induced upregulation of de novo lipogenesis through activation of ALK5/SMAD2/3/PI3K-AKT pathways. Thus, GDF11 could contribute to metabolic reprogramming and dysregulation of lipid metabolism in HCC cells, without effects on healthy hepatocytes.

A combined healthy strategy for successful weight loss, weight maintenance and improvement of hepatic lipid metabolism

Obesity is critically related with the development of metabolic and pathophysiological alterations among which non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is of especial relevance. Although there are numerous strategies to successfully treat obesity, the prevention of weight regain still remains challenging for individuals who have undergone weight loss programs. In such context, diet and physical activity are considered essential for the regulation of body weight and lipid metabolism. In this study, rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism. Obese rats were then treated with single or combined strategies of caloric restriction, physical exercise, and/or pharmacological treatment with an appetite suppressant, to lose weight, reverse the obesity-related alterations in hepatic morphology and lipid metabolism and maintain the beneficial effects of the interventions used. HFD induced excess body weight, hepatic steatosis, altered fatty acid profile, dysregulated gene expression of lipogenic and lipolytic enzymes, as well as plasma markers of liver damage, and modifications in liver antioxidant enzyme activity. Such alterations were ameliorated by caloric restriction in combination with a mixed training protocol and/or food-intake inhibitor administration during a weight loss intervention period of 3 weeks, and the beneficial effects remained after 6 weeks of weight maintenance, with some interesting interactions observed. In conclusion, weight loss strategies assayed were efficient at correcting the obesogenic action of a HFD and related alterations in hepatic functionality through different molecular mechanisms. The beneficial effects were also evident along the post-intervention maintenance period to avoid body weight regain.

Tumor Resection Induces Alterations on Serum Phospholipidome of Liver Cancer Patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma are the most common primary malignant liver tumors. Since the liver plays a key role in lipid metabolism, the study of serum phospholipid (PL) profiles may provide a better understanding of alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism. In this study, we used a high-resolution HILIC-LC-MS lipidomic approach to establish the serum phospholipidome profile of patients with liver cancer before (T0) and after tumor resection (T1) and a control group (CT) of healthy individuals. After the analysis of PL profiles, we observed that the phospholipidome of patients with liver cancer was significantly modified after the tumor resection procedure. We observed an upregulation of some phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) species, namely, PtdCho(36:6), PtdCho(42:6), PtdCho(38:5), PtdCho(36:5), PtdCho(38:6) and choline plasmalogens (PlsCho), and/or 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphocholine (PakCho) in patients with liver cancer at T0 compared to the CT group, and a downregulation after tumor resection (T1) when compared to T0. These results show that LC-MS can detect different serum PL profiles in patients with liver cancer, before and after tumor resection, by defining a specific PL fingerprint that was used to determine the effect of tumor and tumor resection on lipid metabolism.

Low abundance of mitofusin 2 in dairy cows with moderate fatty liver is associated with alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism

High blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and altered lipid metabolism are key characteristics of fatty liver in dairy cows. In nonruminants, the mitochondrial membrane protein mitofusin 2 (MFN2) plays important roles in regulating mitochondrial function and intrahepatic lipid metabolism. Whether MFN2 is associated with hepatic lipid metabolism in dairy cows with moderate fatty liver is unknown. Therefore, to investigate changes in MFN2 expression and lipid metabolic status in dairy cows with moderate fatty liver, blood and liver samples were collected from healthy dairy cows (n = 10) and cows with moderate fatty liver (n = 10). To determine the effects of MFN2 on lipid metabolism in vitro, hepatocytes isolated from healthy calves were used for small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of MFN2 or adenovirus-mediated overexpression of MFN2 for 48 h, or treated with 0, 0.6, 1.2, or 2.4 mM NEFA for 12 h. Milk production and plasma glucose concentrations in dairy cows with moderate fatty liver were lower, but concentrations of NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were greater in dairy cows with moderate fatty liver. Dairy cows with moderate fatty liver displayed hepatic lipid accumulation and lower abundance of hepatic MFN2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A). However, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACACA), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) were more abundant in the livers of dairy cows with moderate fatty liver. In vitro, exogenous NEFA treatment upregulated abundance of SREBP-1c, ACACA, FASN, and DGAT1, and downregulated the abundance of PPARα and CPT1A. These changes were associated with greater lipid accumulation in calf hepatocytes, and MFN2 silencing aggravated this effect. In contrast, overexpression of MFN2-ameliorated exogenous NEFA-induced lipid accumulation by downregulating the abundance of SREBP-1c, ACACA, FASN, and DGAT1, and upregulating the abundance of PPARα and CPT1A in calf hepatocytes. Overall, these data suggest that one cause for the negative effect of excessive NEFA on hepatic lipid accumulation is the inhibition of MFN2. As such, these mechanisms partly explain the development of hepatic steatosis in dairy cows.

Pharmacological management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Limitations, challenges and new therapeutic opportunities

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of metabolic disorders ranging from a simple accumulation of excess triglycerides in the liver (hepatic steatosis) to hepatic steatosis with inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis (steatohepatitis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)). Studies in humans and animal models suggested that alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism, increased generation of reactive oxygen species and consequently oxidative stress, changes in mitochondrial function, DNA damage, microbial infections and release of various cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its progression to NASH. Recent data also suggest an important role of the lipoprotein transport system in hepatic lipid deposition. Currently, no drugs are approved for the treatment of NAFLD and NASH and existing pharmacotherapy aims at the management of intercurrent diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. All guidelines acknowledge that any medicines prescribed for NAFLD treatment should be considered as an off-label treatment and that their efficacy and safety should be carefully monitored. Although current pharmacotherapy may seem limited and of questionable efficacy, there is optimism that innovative safe and effective options for the management of the disease will be made available shortly since specialized drugs such as obeticholic acid, elafibranor and cenicriviroc, are presently tested in clinical trials. Given that patients with NAFLD without steatohepatitis or fibrosis have excellent prognosis if they adopt appropriate therapeutic lifestyle changes, it is generally accepted that pharmacological treatments should be limited to those with established NASH and fibrosis while subjects with early manifestations of NAFLD should resort to therapeutic lifestyle and nutritional changes.

Hepatic transcript profiling in early-lactation dairy cows fed rumen-protected niacin during the transition from late pregnancy to lactation

In dairy cows, administration of high dosages of niacin (nicotinic acid, NA) was found to cause antilipolytic effects, which are mediated by the NA receptor hydroxyl-carboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCAR2) in white adipose tissue (WAT), and thereby an altered hepatic lipid metabolism. However, almost no attention has been paid to possible direct effects of NA in cattle liver, despite evidence that HCAR2 is also expressed in the liver and is even more abundant than in WAT. Because of this, we hypothesized that feeding a high dosage of rumen-protected NA to dairy cows influences critical metabolic or signaling pathways in the liver by inducing changes in the hepatic transcriptome. To identify these pathways, we applied genome-wide transcript profiling in liver biopsies obtained at d 7 postpartum (p.p.) from dairy cows used in our recent study; cows received either no NA (control group, n = 9) or 79 mg of rumen-protected NA/kg of body weight daily (NA group, n = 9) from 21 d before calving until 3 wk p.p. Hepatic transcript profiling revealed that 487 transcripts were differentially expressed (filter criteria: fold change >1.2 or <-1.2 and P < 0.05) in the liver at d 7 p.p. between cows fed NA and control cows. Substantially more transcripts were downregulated (n = 338), whereas only 149 transcripts were upregulated by NA in the liver of cows. Gene set enrichment analysis for the upregulated transcripts revealed that the most-enriched gene ontology biological process terms were exclusively related to immune processes, such as leukocyte differentiation, immune system process, activation of immune response, and acute inflammatory response. Gene set enrichment analysis of the downregulated transcripts showed that the most-enriched biological process terms were related to metabolic processes, such as cellular metabolic process, small molecule metabolic process, lipid catabolic process, organic cyclic compound metabolic process, small molecule biosynthetic process, and cellular lipid catabolic process. In conclusion, hepatic transcriptome analysis showed that rumen-protected NA induces genes that are involved mainly in immune processes, including acute phase response and stress response, in dairy cows at d 7 p.p. Thus, supplementation of a high dosage of rumen-protected NA to dairy cows in the periparturient period may induce or amplify the systemic inflammation-like condition that is typically observed in the liver of high-yielding dairy cows in the p.p. period.

Transcriptomic analysis of the liver of cholesterol-fed rabbits reveals altered hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory response

Rabbits are a suitable animal model for atherosclerosis due to their sensitivity to dietary cholesterol. Moreover, rabbits have lipoprotein profiles that are more similar to humans than those of other laboratory animals. However, little is known about the transcriptomic information related to atherosclerosis in rabbits. We aimed to determine the changes in the livers of rabbits fed a normal chow diet (control) or high cholesterol diet (HCD) by histological examinations and RNA sequencing analysis. Compared with the control group, the lipid levels and small LDL subfractions in plasma were increased, and aortic atherosclerotic plaques were formed in the HCD group. Most importantly, HCD resulted in lipid accumulation and inflammation in the livers. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver showed that HCD induces 1183 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that mainly participate in the regulation of inflammation and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the signaling pathways involved in inflammation and lipid metabolism were enriched by KEGG pathway analysis. In addition, hepatic DEGs of the HCD group were further validated by real-time PCR. These results suggest that HCD causes liver lipid accumulation and inflammatory response. Although the relationships between these hepatic changes and atherogenesis need further investigation, these findings provide a fundamental framework for future research on human atherosclerosis using rabbit models.

Altered hepatic lipid metabolism in mice lacking both the melanocortin type 4 receptor and low density lipoprotein receptor.

Obesity is often associated with dyslipidemia and hepatosteatosis. A number of animal models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are established but they significantly differ in the molecular and biochemical changes depending on the genetic modification and diet used. Mice deficient for melanocortin type 4 receptor (Mc4rmut) develop hyperphagia, obesity, and subsequently NAFLD already under regular chow and resemble more closely the energy supply-driven obesity found in humans. This animal model was used to assess the molecular and biochemical consequences of hyperphagia-induced obesity on hepatic lipid metabolism. We analyzed transcriptome changes in Mc4rmut mice by RNA sequencing and used high resolution 1H magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to assess changes in the lipid composition. On the transcriptomic level we found significant changes in components of the triacylglycerol metabolism, unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathways, and lipid transport and storage compared to the wild-type. These findings were supported by increases in triacylglycerol, monounsaturated fatty acid, and arachidonic acid levels. The transcriptome signatures significantly differ from those of other NAFLD mouse models supporting the concept of hepatic subphenotypes depending on the genetic background and diet. Comparative analyses of our data with previous studies allowed for the identification of common changes and genotype-specific components and pathways involved in obesity-associated NAFLD.

What is the influence of complement factor C3 and lipid metabolism of adipose tissue on hepatic steatosis in mice?

NALFD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) represents a fatty liver whereby lipid accumulation (steatosis) occurs. In recent decades, the prevalence of NAFLD has dramatically increased. Activation of the complement system, which is an important subset of the immune system, and especially complement factor C3, may have a significant role in the progression of NAFLD. In this study is examined if there are, next to alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism, also alterations present in the lipid metabolism of adipose tissue. It appears that acylation stimulating protein (ASP) has an important role in linking the activation of complement and lipid metabolism of adipose tissue in NAFLD. In this study the following research question is stated: What is the influence of complement factor C3 and the lipid metabolism of adipose tissue on hepatic steatosis in mice? It is expected that wild type mice on a HFD diet will show the highest hepatic lipid accumulation. Furthermore the expression of some enzymes involved in lipid metabolism will be altered. Liver and adipose tissue from C3+/+ (n=17) and C3-/- (n=17) mice is used. The control group (n=12) received a chow diet and the experimental group (n=22) a high fat diet (HFD). The hepatic lipid accumulation and the expression of some enzymes, involved in the lipid metabolism of adipose tissue, are determined in these mice. The results, showed no significant differences in lipid accumulation between both mouse groups. The expression levels of the enzymes FASN, SCD1, PPARγ and DGAT1 were significantly different between the diets in one or both mouse groups. The expression of the enzymes HSL and DGAT1 were significantly higher in the C3+/+ mice compared to the C3-/- mice. It can be concluded from histological stainings and preliminary scoring results that hepatic lipid accumulation occurs the most in C3+/+ mice on a HFD. However it seems that lipids do not only accumulate by C3 activation, but also other mechanisms seems to play a role. It is assumed that in C3-/- mice the ASP pathway is disturbed, which will lead to an increased flux of fatty acids to the liver. In C3+/+ mice there is a higher adipose tissue lipolysis and lipogenesis present since the expression of HSL and DGAT were increased.

Perinatal maternal high-fat diet promotes alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism and resistance to the hypolipidemic effect of fish oil in adolescent rat offspring.

Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) promotes obesity and metabolic disturbances in offspring at weaning and adult life. We investigated metabolic consequences of maternal HFD in adolescent rat offspring and the potential benefic effects of fish oil (FO) (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid source). Female rats received isocaloric, standard diet (STD: 9% fat) or HFD (28.6%) before mating, and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring received standard diet and, from 25th to 45th day, received oral administration of soybean oil (SO) or FO. HFD offspring showed higher body weight and adiposity, which was not attenuated by FO. In STD offspring, FO reduced serum triglyceride and cholesterol, as expected, but not in HFD offspring. Liver of HFD offspring groups showed increased free cholesterol and FO-treated HFD group showed lower expression of Abcg8, suggesting decreased cholesterol biliary excretion. HFD offspring presented higher hepatic expression of lipogenic markers, Srebf1 mRNA and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC). Serum n-3 PUFA were decreased in FO-treated HFD compared to FO-treated STD offspring, which may explain the reduced hypolipidemic FO effect. Maternal HFD impaired the ability of FO to reduce adiposity and serum lipids in adolescent offspring, suggesting a potential predisposition to future development of metabolic disorders.