Viscothionin isolated from Korean mistletoe improves nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase.
The present study investigated the effects of viscothionin, a compound isolated from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum), on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in both in vitro and in vivo models. A connection was discovered between viscothionin and the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism. Viscothionin was shown to significantly attenuate lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells treated with oleic acid, which induces lipid accumulation. Moreover, the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase in HepG2 cells was increased by viscothionin treatment. Viscothionin was orally administered to high fat diet-induced obese mice and subsequently histopathological analysis associated with AMPK signaling pathways was evaluated. A significant reduction in the extent of hepatic steatosis was revealed in viscothionin-treated obese mice. Thus, viscothionin mediates its beneficial effects on NAFLD via AMPK signaling pathways, suggesting that it may be a potential target for novel NAFLD treatments.
Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University , Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-156, Republic of Korea.
Sokho
S
Kim
Dongho
D
Lee
Jae-Kyung
JK
Kim
Jae-Hun
JH
Kim
Jong-Heum
JH
Park
Ju-Woon
JW
Lee
Jungkee
J
Kwon
D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D020536:Enzyme Activators; D054890:Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008820:Mice, Obese; D014784:Mistletoe / Q000737:chemistry*; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D056910:Republic of Korea
D020536:Enzyme Activators; D010455:Peptides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C000599691:viscothionin; D054890:Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase
AMPK; Korean mistletoe; NAFLD; lipid accumulation; viscothionin