No abstract

BackgroundTwo major risk factors for the onset of fatty liver disease are excessive alcohol intake and obesity, the latter being associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of black rice extract (BRE) on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice, providing a model of NAFLD.MethodsTwenty-four mice were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 in each group): normal fat diet (ND), high fat diet (HF), and high fat diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) BRE (HF +1% BRE). The experimental diets were fed for seven weeks.ResultsA HF induced hepatic steatosis with significant increases in the serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and insulin. By contrast, supplementary BRE (10 g/kg of diet) included in the HF alleviated hepatic steatosis and significantly decreased serum TG and TC levels (p < 0.01 for both). Dietary BRE also increased expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT1A), acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), cytochrome P450 (CYP4A10), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-α (p < 0.05 for all).ConclusionsDietary BRE supplementation improved serum lipid profiles and significantly enhanced mRNA expression levels of fatty acid metabolism-related genes, primarily via β-oxidation and ω-oxidation in the liver. Taken together, these findings suggest that a BRE-supplemented diet could be useful in reducing the risks of hepatic steatosis and related disorders, including hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

Widely distributed in plants, flavonoids reduce the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease. In this study, flavonoid content and composition in members of the Prunus genus were evaluated using liquid chromatography with diode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (UPLC-DAD-ESI/QTOF-MS). Flavonoids in plants of the Prunus genus include the basic structures of kaempferol, quercetin, and catechin, and exist as mono-, di-, or tri-glycoside compounds mono-acylated with acetic acid. A total of 23 individual flavonoids were isolated and confirmed, three of which appear to be newly identified compounds: quercetin 3-O-(2″-O-acetyl)neohesperidoside, quercetin 3-O-(4″-O-acetyl)rutinoside, and kaempferol 3-O-(4″-O-acetyl)rutinoside. Japanese apricot and Chinese plum contained the highest amounts of flavonoids in the Prunus genus. During the ripening stage of Japanese apricot, the total flavonol content was reduced, while the catechin content was increased.