We investigated the impact of chronic hypercorticosteronemia (due to neonatal monosodium L-glutamate, MSG, and treatment) on liver oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and carbohydrate/lipid metabolism in adult male rats. We evaluated the peripheral concentrations of several metabolic and OS markers and insulin resistance indexes. In liver we assessed (a) OS (GSH and protein carbonyl groups) an...

We tested whether sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) mediate sterol-regulated transactivation of the Niemann-Pick C-1 (NPC-1) gene. Loading granulosa cells with 22- or 25-hydroxycholesterol decreased NPC-1 mRNA, whereas culturing in cholesterol-depleted medium or inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis increased NPC-1 promoter activity and NPC-1 mRNA abundance. Cotransfection of...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major worldwide health problem. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiota influences NAFLD pathogenesis. Here, a murine model of high-fat diet-induced (HFD-induced) NAFLD was used, and the effects of alterations in the gut microbiota on NAFLD were determined. Mice treated with antibiotics or tempol exhibited altered bile acid composition, with ...

The innate immune cell sensor leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome controls the activation of caspase-1, and the release of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in adipose tissue inflammation and the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that adipose tissue inflammat...

Prescription ω-3 fatty acid ethyl ester supplements are commonly used for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. However, the metabolic profile and effect of the metabolites formed by these treatments remain unknown. Here we utilized unbiased metabolomics to identify 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid (CMPF) as a significant metabolite of the ω-3-acid ethyl ester prescription Lov...

A high saturated fat and fructose diet leads to metabolic disorders through dysregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Consumption of plant infusions reduces these obesity alterations, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect and the possible mechanism of Ocimum sanctum L. (OS) and Citrus paradisi (CP) infusions in diet-induced obese rats. C...

Cyanidin, a natural flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables, is known to regulate cellular lipid metabolism; however, its underlying mechanism of action and protein targets remain unknown. Here, the ligand binding activity of cyanidin on liver X receptors (LXRs) was investigated utilizing surface plasmon resonance and time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) analyses. LXRs are n...

We previously reported that mice deficient in stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (Scd1) and maintained on a very low-fat (VLF) diet for 10 days developed severe loss of body weight, hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and many cholestasis-like phenotypes. To better understand the metabolic changes associated with these phenotypes, we performed microarray analysis of hepatic gene expression in chow- and ...

BACKGROUND Naringenin (Nar), a common dietary flavonoid abundantly present in fruits, vegetables, and Chinese herbs, is believed to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties and to modulate hepatic apolipoprotein and lipid synthesis. However, there are no reports describing Nar's effects on the hepatitis B virus protein X (HBx) -induced hepatic steatosis, and the detailed molecular mechanisms...

A number of factors have been identified that increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently it has become appreciated that type II diabetes increases the risk of developing HCC. This represents a patient population that can be identified and targeted for cancer prevention. The biguanide metformin is a first-line therapy for the treatment of type II diabetes in which it exerts it...