Aim
In order to explore the anti-NAFLD mechanisms of HQT, iTRAQ-based proteomic was employed to investigate the expression profiles of proteins in NAFLD rats induced by high-fat diet after HQT treatment. Materials and
Conclusions
Our results not only confirm that Hugan Qingzhi exhibits a significant protective effect in HFD-induced NAFLD rats but also provide a better understanding for the treatments of NAFLD.
Methods
The NAFLD rat model was administrated with high-fat diet (HFD) for 12weeks. HQT was administrated in a daily basis to the HFD groups. Biochemical markers, liver histology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress/antioxidant biomarkers were assayed to evaluate HQT effects in HFD-induced NAFLD rats. Furthermore, the combined strategy of iTRAQ labeling with strong cation exchange-non-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SCX-non-LC-MS/MS) analysis were employed to explore the mechanisms of HQT's protective effect against NAFLD in rats. Western blotting was performed to verify the proteomic
Results
The histopathologic characteristics and biochemical data showed that HQT exhibited protective effects on HFD-induced NAFLD rats. After being analyzed by the combined strategy of iTRAQ with LC-MS/MS and subsequent investigation, we identified 275 differentially expressed proteins in the HFD group, compared to the control; 207 altered proteins in the HQT high dose + HFD group, compared to the HFD group; and 316 altered proteins in the HQT high dose + HFD group, compared to the control. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) pathway mapping, the