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Isotope labeling experiment of fatty acid oxidation in gastrocnemius of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver

CANG Zhen, ZHU Chao-xia, Jiazireya·Zaiyinati,  PU Xiao-qi,  LI Qin,  XIA Fang-zhen, LU Ying-li   

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011， China
  • Online:2015-06-28 Published:2015-07-30
  • Supported by:

    National Key Basic Research Program of China, “973”Program，2012CB524906

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Abstract:

Objective To investigate the changes of fatty acid oxidation in gastrocnemius of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by the isotope labeling. Methods A total of 18 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group (n=6) and high-fat feed group (n=12). The NAFLD model was successfully established by feeding rats of the high-fat feed group with lipid rich food (the ratio of fat energies is 42%) for 12 weeks. Then the high-fat feed group was randomly divided into the NAFLD group (n=6) and berberine intervention group (n=6, intragastric administration of berberine hydrochloride for 16 weeks). The changes of body weight and blood lipid level of each group were observed. After 16 weeks of intervention, rat gastrocnemius tissues were collected and cultured in 1 μCi 9,10-3H-palmitic acid solution. The oxidation rate of fatty acid was calculated according to the specific activity of 3H2O detected by liquid scintillation counter. Results After 16 weeks of intervention, body weights and blood lipid levels of the NAFLD group were significantly higher than those of the normal group and berberine intervention group (P<0.05). The oxidation rates of fatty acid of the normal group, NAFLD group, and berberine intervention group were (3.96±1.16)%, (2.13±1.00)%, and (3.20±1.47)%, respectively. Results of statistical analysis revealed that compared with the normal group, the oxidation rate of fatty acid of gastrocnemius of the NAFLD group decreased significantly (P<0.05). The oxidation rate of fatty acid of gastrocnemius of the berberine intervention group was higher than that of the NAFLD group and lower than that of the normal group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion The decrease of oxidation and usage of fatty acid in muscle tissues such as gastrocnemius is an important cause of lipid metabolism disorder of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It is a target for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Key words: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, isotope labeling, berberine