Prebiotic and Symbiotic Modifications of Beta Oxidation and Lipogenic Gene Expression After Experimental Hypercholesterolemia in Rat Liver

• Grant number: 17/18524-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: November 01, 2017
• End date: April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition
• Principal Investigator: Claudia Cristina Alves Pereira
• Grantee: Claudia Cristina Alves Pereira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background and aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the presence of fat in hepatocytes because of decreased ß-oxidation and increased lipogenesis. Prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics have modulatory effects on intestinal microbiota and may influence the gut-liver axis. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics on liver histopathology and gene expression related to ß-oxidation and lipogenesis after hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Wistar male adult rats (n=40) were submitted to hypercholesterolemic conditions (HPC) (60 days). On Day 30 of HPC, rats were subdivided in 5 groups: negative control (NC): without HPC + Gv (distilled water); positive control (PC): with HPC + Gv (distilled water); prebiotic (PRE): HPC + Gv with prebiotic (Fiber FOS®); probiotic (PRO): HPC + Gv with probiotic strains Gv (Probiatop®)); and symbiotic (SYM): HPC + Gv with symbiotic (Simbioflora®). All rats were sacrificed on Day 30 post-treatment. Blood was collected to verify total serum cholesterol, and liver tissue was sampled to verify histopathological changes and gene expression. Gene expression related to ß-oxidation (PPAR-± and CPT-1) and lipogenesis (SREBP-1c, FAS and ME) was evaluated in liver tissue using RT-qPCR. Results: PC had higher cholesterol levels when compared to NC (p<0.009). PRE and SYN rats had lower cholesterol levels than PC (p<0.001). PC rats showed more histopathological changes than NC rats (p<0.05); PRE and SYM rats showed fewer alterations than PC rats (p<0.05). PPAR-± was expressed at higher levels in SYM and PC rats compared with PRE and PRO rats (p<0.004). CPT-1 expression was similar in all groups (p > 0.05). SREBP-1c was expressed at higher levels in PC rats compared with NC rats (p=0.009); levels were lower in SYM rats compared with PRO rats (P=0.002); levels were lower in PRE rats compared with PC and PRO rats (p<0.01). FAS was expressed at lower levels in PRE rats compared with SYM rats (p=0.043). ME expression was lower in PC rats compared with NC rats (p=0.026). Conclusions: Prebiotic and symbiotic supplementation improve hepatic alterations related to hypercholesterolemia. These changes appear to be mediated by altered expression of genes related to ß-oxidation and lipogenesis.Keywords: cholesterol diet, steatosis, rats, prebiotic, probiotic, symbiotic, gene expression (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DOS SANTOS, ANGELICA CARREIRA; RIBEIRO, DANIEL ARAKI; DA CRUZ FERREIRA, JESSICA ALMEIDA; AGUIAR, ODAIR; WAITZBERG, DAN LINETZKY; ALVES, CLAUDIA CRISTINA. Inflammatory gene expression analysis after prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic supplementation in experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE, v. 49, n. 1, p. 75-84, FEB 11 2019. (17/18524-7)