Conclusions
CR induced induction of fatty acid oxidation gene expression was augmented with Keap1 knockdown, which was associated with differential expression of several miRNAs implicated in fatty acid oxidation and lipid accumulation.
Methods
C57BL/6 and Keap1-KD mice were maintained on 40% CR or fed ad libitum for 6 weeks. Hepatic lipid content, lipid metabolic gene, and miRNA expression was quantified.
Purpose
CR increases fatty acid oxidation to decrease tissue lipid content. The Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Kelch like ECH associated Protein 1 (Keap1) pathway is an antioxidant gene regulatory pathway that has been previously investigated in weight gain. However, limited interaction of Nrf2/Keap1 and CR exists. The purpose of this study was to determine how Keap1 knockdown (Keap1-KD), which is known to increase Nrf2 activity, affects the CR response, such as weight loss, hepatic lipid decrease, and induction of fatty acid oxidation gene expression.
Results
CR lowered hepatic lipid content, and induced fatty acid oxidation gene expression to a greater degree in Keap1-KD compared to C57BL/6 mice. CR differentially altered miRNA 34a, 370, let-7b* in livers of Keap1-KD compared to C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions: CR induced induction of fatty acid oxidation gene expression was augmented with Keap1 knockdown, which was associated with differential expression of several miRNAs implicated in fatty acid oxidation and lipid accumulation.