Qiong Li1, Meng Li2, Fenghua Li3, Wenjun Zhou4, Yanqi Dang5, Li Zhang6, Guang Ji7. 1. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. Electronic address: liqiong427@163.com. 2. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. Electronic address: limengsmile1@163.com. 3. Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: lfh05@outlook.com. 4. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. Electronic address: wjzhou678@163.com. 5. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. Electronic address: dangyanqi9022@126.com. 6. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. Electronic address: zhangli.hl@163.com. 7. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. Electronic address: jiliver@vip.sina.com.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qiang-Gan formula is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, which has been widely used in treating liver diseases in China. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of Qiang-Gan formula extract (QGE) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its underlying possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-performance liquid chromatography finger-print method was used for the quality control of chemical components in QGE. Methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced NASH mice were administrated with QGE via gavage for four weeks. Phenotypic parameters including liver histological change as well as serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected. Bile acid profile in the serum, liver and fecal samples was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer technique, and fecal microbiota was detected by 16S rDNA sequencing. Expression of liver G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5), farnesiod X receptor (FXR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) as well as molecules in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway was assayed by immunohistochemistry staining, RT-qPCR, or Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: QGE alleviated liver inflammation, reduced serum ALT and AST levels and liver TNF-α and IL-1β expression in NASH mice. It also decreased liver and serum BA concentration and increased fecal lithocholicacid (LCA) production in this animal model. QGE altered the structure of gut microbiota, predominantly increased LCA-producing bacteria Bacteroides and Clostridium in NASH mice. In addition, the expression of liver TGR5 but not FXR was increased, and the molecules in NF-κB pathway were decreased in QGE-treated NASH mice. CONCLUSIONS: QGE was effective in preventing NASH, possibly by regulation of gut microbiota-mediated LCA production, promotion of TGR5 expression and suppression of the NF-κB activation.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qiang-Gan formula is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, which has been widely used in treating liver diseases in China. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of Qiang-Gan formula extract (QGE) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its underlying possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-performance liquid chromatography finger-print method was used for the quality control of chemical components in QGE. Methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced NASH mice were administrated with QGE via gavage for four weeks. Phenotypic parameters including liver histological change as well as serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected. Bile acid profile in the serum, liver and fecal samples was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer technique, and fecal microbiota was detected by 16S rDNA sequencing. Expression of liver G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5), farnesiod X receptor (FXR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) as well as molecules in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway was assayed by immunohistochemistry staining, RT-qPCR, or Western blot, respectively. RESULTS:QGE alleviated liver inflammation, reduced serum ALT and AST levels and liver TNF-α and IL-1β expression in NASH mice. It also decreased liver and serum BA concentration and increased fecal lithocholicacid (LCA) production in this animal model. QGE altered the structure of gut microbiota, predominantly increased LCA-producing bacteria Bacteroides and Clostridium in NASH mice. In addition, the expression of liver TGR5 but not FXR was increased, and the molecules in NF-κB pathway were decreased in QGE-treated NASH mice. CONCLUSIONS:QGE was effective in preventing NASH, possibly by regulation of gut microbiota-mediated LCA production, promotion of TGR5 expression and suppression of the NF-κB activation.
Keywords:
Bile acids; Gut microbiota; Inflammation; Membrane-bound G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; Qiang-Gan formula extract