Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by strengthening intestinal mucosal barrier.

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has recently risen to the top spot among chronic liver diseases in the world. However, there are no recognized treatments for it. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizate (MgIG) has potential as a NAFLD/NASH therapy.

AIMS: To investigate the efficacy of MgIG in improving NAFLD/NASH and the possible pathways and mechanisms.

METHODS

C57bl/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and 1 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 12 weeks to establish the NAFLD/NASH model. MgIG was administered by gavage during the last 7 weeks. First, the therapeutic effects of MgIG on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, liver injury, and inflammation in the NAFLD/NASH mice were evaluated. Second, liver oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis were detected. Finally, the effect of MgIG on intestinal permeability and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in mice's intestinal contents were examined.

RESULTS

MgIG administration attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, improved serum biochemical and NAFLD/NASH mice, reduced liver oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis, improved intestinal permeability, and increased fecal SCFA levels in NAFLD/NASH mice.

CONCLUSION

MgIG protects against HFD-induced NAFLD/NASH through multiple pathways as well as mechanisms and holds promise as a potentially effective treatment for NAFLD/NASH.