Tetrahydroxanthohumol, a xanthohumol derivative, attenuates nigh-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis by antagonizing PPARγ

We previously reported xanthohumol (XN), and its synthetic derivative tetrahydro-XN (TXN), attenuates high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome in C5761/6J mice. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of XN and TXN on lipid accumulation in the liver. Non-supplemented mice were unable to adapt their caloric intake to 60% HFD, resulting in obesity and hepatic steatosis; however, TXN reduced weight gain and decreased hepatic steatosis. Liver transcriptomics indicated that TXN might antagonize lipogenic PPAR gamma actions in vivo. XN and TXN inhibited rosiglitazone-induced 3T3-L1 cell differentiation concomitant with decreased expression of lipogenesis-related genes. A peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) competitive binding assay showed that XN and TXN bind to PPAR gamma with an IC50 similar to pioglitazone and 8-10 times stronger than oleate. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated that XN and TXN bind in the PPAR gamma ligand-binding domain pocket. Our findings are consistent with XN and TXN acting as antagonists of PPAR gamma.

Automated summary

XN and TXN were found to reduce hepatic lipid accumulation in mice, with TXN potentially antagonizing the actions of PPAR gamma. They inhibited cell differentiation by decreasing expression of lipogenesis-related genes.