Hepatic Proteomic Changes and Sirt1/AMPK Signaling Activation by Oxymatrine Treatment in Rats With Non-alcoholic Steatosis

Background Currently, active ingredients of herbal extracts that can suppress lipid accumulation in the liver have been considered a potential treatment option for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods Steatosis rat model was created by high fat and high sucrose diet feeding and treated with oxymatrine (OMT). Serum biochemical parameters, liver histology and lipid profiles were examined. Hepatic differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) which were significantly changed by OMT treatment were identified by iTRAQ analysis. The expressions of representative DEPs, Sirt1 and AMPK alpha were evaluated by western blotting. Results OMT significantly reduced the body weight and liver weight of steatosis animals, decreased the serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol as well as the hepatic triglyceride and free fatty acid levels, and effectively alleviated fatty degeneration in the liver. A list of OMT-related DEPs have been screened and evaluated by bioinformatics analysis. OMT significantly decreased the expressions of L-FABP, Plin2, FASN and SCD1 and increased Sirt1 expression and AMPK alpha phosphorylation in the liver of rats with steatosis. Conclusion The present study has confirmed the significant efficacy of OMT for improving steatosis and revealed hepatic proteomic changes and Sirt1/AMPK signaling activation by OMT treatment in rats with steatosis.