β-sitosterol attenuates high- fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats by modulating lipid metabolism, inflammation and ER stress pathway

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic hepatic disorder. The naturally occurring phytosterol; β-sitosterol has antiobesogenic and anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of β-sitosterol in preventing hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. In the current study, to induce NAFLD in the female Wister rats, an HFD was administered to them for 8 weeks. The pathogenic severity of steatosis in rats receiving an HFD diet was dramatically decreased by oral administration of β-sitosterol. After administering β-sitosterol to HFD-induced steatosis for three weeks, several oxidative stress-related markers were then assessed. We showed that β-sitosterol reduced steatosis and the serum levels of triglycerides, transaminases (ALT and AST) and inflammatory markers (IL-1β and iNOS) compared to HFD-fed rats. Additionally, β-sitosterol reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress by preventing the overexpression of inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1α), X-box binding protein 1(sXBP1) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) genes which, showing a function in the homeostatic regulation of protein folding. Also, it was found that the expression of the lipogenic factors; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α), sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP-1c) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1(CPT-1), which are involved in the regulation of the fatty acid oxidation process, may be regulated by β-sitosterol. It can be concluded that β-sitosterol may prevent NAFLD by reducing oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory responses, which supports the possibility of using β-sitosterol as an alternative therapy for NAFLD. Together, β-sitosterol may be an option for NAFLD prevention.

Ondansetron or beta-sitosterol antagonizes inflammatory responses in liver, kidney, lung and heart tissues of irradiated arthritic rats model

“…Increased concentrations of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α), are secreted by synovial tissue. 56 Our findings are in agreement with Abo-Zaid et al who found that serum concentrations of transaminases (ALT and AST), were all diminished by Bs. 57 It was also noticed that TLRs was increased and significantly expressed in synovial fibroblasts even in the early phases of RA, 54 the finding which is in support to our finding.…”

The Association Between Neutrophil/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Healthy Population

“…IL-1β has been suggested to play an important role in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. 17 NHR evaluates the body’s inflammatory response and plays an important role in lipid metabolism. NHR may directly influence the body’s inflammatory response and thereby mediate NAFLD development.…”

State of Oral Health of Women in Rural Areas in An Underdeveloped Country: A Prospective Observational Descriptive Study

“…However, in both the 2-and 10-sprayed samples, the peaks of vitamins B and E, chalcone, cis-9-hexadecenal, and naphthalene-4a disappeared. Gamma-sitosterol was identified only in the 2-sprayed sample and has anti-diabetic properties and hepato-protectant [22][23][24]. The peak at 3336cm -1 corresponds to N-H-groups typical of capsaicin.…”