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Curcumin attenuates ethanol‐induced hepatic steatosis through modulating N rf2/ FXR signaling in hepatocytes
Author(s) -
Lu Chunfeng,
Zhang Feng,
Xu Wenxuan,
Wu Xiafei,
Lian Naqi,
Jin Huanhuan,
Chen Qin,
Chen Lianyun,
Shao Jiangjuan,
Wu Li,
Lu Yin,
Zheng Shizhong
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1409
Subject(s) - steatosis , curcumin , chemistry , ethanol , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , biology
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a common health problem worldwide, characterized by aberrant accumulation of lipid in hepatocytes. Inhibition of lipid accumulation has been well recognized as a promising strategy for ALD. Previous studies showed that curcumin has potential effect on ALD by regulating oxidative stress and ethanol metabolism. However, the effects of curcumin on lipid accumulation and its mechanism remain unclear. Recent researches have indicated that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) have excellent effects on reducing lipid deposition. This study demonstrated that curcumin alleviated ethanol‐induced liver injury by ameliorating activities of serum marker enzymes and inflammation. Moreover, curcumin alleviated the symptom of hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis via modulating the expression of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c, fatty acid synthase, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha as well as the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. Additionally, curcumin induced the expression of Nrf2 and FXR in liver, strongly implying close relationship between inhibitory effect of curcumin on hepatic steatosis and the above two genes. The following in vitro experiments further verified the protective effects of curcumin against hepatotoxicity and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes induced by ethanol. Gain‐ or loss‐of‐function analyses revealed Nrf2 and FXR mediated the effect of curcumin on lipid deposition in hepatocytes, and curcumin modulated the expression of FXR mediated by Nrf2. Collectively, we drew a conclusion that curcumin attenuated ALD by modulating lipid deposition in hepatocytes via a Nrf2/FXR activation‐dependent mechanism. The findings make curcumin a potential agent for ALD and broaden the horizon of the molecular mechanism involved. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(8):645–658, 2015