Betanin effect on PPAR-α and SREBP-1c expression in NMRI mice model of steatohepatitis with fibrosis.

PURPOSE: Betanin is a betacyanin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities whose effects were investigated in a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model.

MAIN

METHODS

Ninety-six male naval medical research institute (NMRI) mice were divided into eight groups (n = 12) including normal control, high fat diet (HFD), Sham, and positive control treated with trans-chalcone. Three experimental groups were treated with 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg betanin, and a betanin protective group was also defined.

RESULTS

Four weeks of HFD treatment resulted in steatohepatitis with associated fibrosis. Significant increase was observed in serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin, leptin, liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), furthermore insulin resistance and (sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c) SREBP-1c were detected. Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), adiponectin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and PPAR-α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α) considerably decreased. Treatment by betanin, particularly the 20 mg/kg dosage, attenuated these changes.

CONCLUSION

Betanin is a potential treating agent of steatohepatitis and works through up-regulation of PPAR-α, down-regulation of SREBP-1c, modification of adipokine levels and modulation of lipid profile.