Conclusions
PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis plays a vital role in the mitigation of hepatic steatosis treated by NHP. Our result suggests that NHP is a good candidate to be dietary supplement for the auxiliary treatment of NAFLD.
Methods
Mice were fed with either a chow diet or HFD with or without oral gavage of NHP for 12 weeks. A variety of biochemical and histological indicators were examined. In vitro cell culture model was utilized to demonstrate underlying molecular mechanism of the effect induced by NHP treatment.
Results
NHP increases mitochondrial biogenesis, improves hepatic steatosis and systematic insulin resistance in high fat diet (HFD) fed mice. NHP elevates hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation by increasing PGC-1α expression. Mechanistically, the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in NHP induced PGC-1α expression. Conclusions: PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis plays a vital role in the mitigation of hepatic steatosis treated by NHP. Our result suggests that NHP is a good candidate to be dietary supplement for the auxiliary treatment of NAFLD.