Resveratrol improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by activating AMP-activated protein kinase.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether resveratrol (RSV) can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to find the possible mechanism.


METHODS
Rats fed a high-fat diet were treated with RSV. The liver histology was observed. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed to assess insulin sensitivity. Fat accumulation was induced in HepG2 cells, and the cells were treated with RSV. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation levels were determined both in the animal study and cell study.


RESULTS
Rats fed a high-fat diet developed abdominal obesity, NAFLD, and insulin resistance (IR), which were markedly improved by 10 weeks of RSV administration. RSV treatment prevented triacylglycerol (TG) accumulation in HepG2 cells that were incubated with high concentration of glucose and insulin. Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that RSV treatment could promote the phosphorylation of AMPK, which in this study, suppressed 2 lipogenesis gene expressions, contributing to the improvement of NAFLD and IR.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that by reducing TG accumulation and improving IR, RSV could protect the liver from NAFLD. The activation of AMPK was involved in the mechanism. RSV has the therapeutic potential for preventing or treating NAFLD and IR-related metabolic disorders.
Shang
Jing
J
Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022,China.
Chen
Lu-lu
LL
Xiao
Fang-xi
FX
Sun
Hui
H
Ding
Hong-cheng
HC
Xiao
Hu
H
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D013267:Stilbenes; D014280:Triglycerides; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D000077185:Resveratrol