title: Ruscogenin protects against high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in hamsters.
abstract: The protective effects of ruscogenin on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in hamsters fed a high-fat diet were investigated. Ruscogenin (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg/day) was orally administered by gavage once daily for eight weeks. A high-fat diet induced increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids, while the degree of insulin resistance was lowered by ruscogenin. High-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation were improved by ruscogenin. Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and activity of nuclear transcription factor-κB were also increased in the high-fat diet group, which were attenuted by ruscogenin. Ruscogenin decreased hepatic mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and its lipogenic target genes. The hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, together with its target genes responsible for fatty acid β-oxidation were upregulated by ruscogenin. In conclusion, these findings suggest that ruscogenin may attenuate high-fat diet-induced steatohepatitis through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reducing hepatic lipogenic gene expression, and upregulating proteins in the fatty acid oxidation process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hung-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Shorong-Shii
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chia Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Sheng Da
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ming-Chang
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: I-Min
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013150:Spirostans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D020011:Protective Agents; D013150:Spirostans; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014280:Triglycerides; C012541:ruscogenin