Naringenin attenuates hepatitis B virus X protein-induced hepatic steatosis

• Main Authors: Hung-Jen Lin (Author), Ko-Li Ku (Author), I-Hsin Lin (Author), Chia-Chou Yeh (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2017-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s12906-017-2019-2; 1472-6882
• Keywords: HBx; Naringenin; Hepatic steatosis; SREBP1c; LXRα; PPARγ; Other systems of medicine; RZ201-999
• Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 17, Iss 1, Pp 1-10 (2017)

Abstract Background Naringenin (Nar), a common dietary flavonoid abundantly present in fruits, vegetables, and Chinese herbs, is believed to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties and to modulate hepatic apolipoprotein and lipid synthesis. However, there are no reports describing Nar's effects on the hepatitis B virus protein X (HBx) -induced hepatic steatosis, and the detailed molecular mechanisms of the compound's effects are still unclear. Methods Nar was administered by oral gavage to HBx-transgenic mice from 4 to 6 weeks of age. Mice were sacrificed after 14 days of once-daily naringenin administration. Liver tissues and sera were collected for histopathology and biochemical analysis. Results Nar counteracted hepatic lipid accumulation and liver dysfunction in HBx-transgenic mice. In addition, Nar significantly decreased expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes in mice, suggesting that the compound may have therapeutic effects in the early stages of HBx-mediated hepatic steatosis. These results indicated that naringenin inhibits HBx-induced expression of hepatic adipogenic and lipogenic genes through suppression of HBx-induced gene expression, including decreases in the transcriptional activity of SREBP1c, LXRα, and PPARγ in HBx-trangenic mice and HBx-transfected HepG2 cells. Conclusions Results from this study suggested that Nar may serve as a therapeutic agent for preventing HBx-infected hepatic steatosis in humans.