Delta‐Tocotrienol Regulates Lipid Metabolism in Livers of High Fat Fed Mice

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects more than 70% of patients with obesity. Several plant bioactive compounds with anti‐inflammatory properties are known to reduce steatohepatitis and associated metabolic complications. Hence we are investigating the regulation of hepatic metabolism by delta‐tocotrienol (δT3), member of the vitamin E family. We hypothesize that delta‐tocotrienol will reduce fatty liver and steatohepatitis through its anti‐inflammatory and lipid lowering properties. To test our hypothesis, C57BL/6J male mice were fed high fat (HF) diet with or without supplementation of increasing levels of δT3 (up to 1600mg/kg) for 14 weeks and compared to mice fed either low fat or metformin. Glucose tolerance tests revealed that mice supplemented with tocotrienol rapidly cleared glucose suggesting that liver plays a role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. By measuring expression of hepatic lipid metabolizing genes, we found that these changes were in part due to increased fatty acid oxidation and reduced fatty acid synthesis in the liver. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver tissue sections demonstrated significant reductions in liver triglyceride content. Additional studies are ongoing to further understand mechanisms underlying regulation of lipid metabolism by delta‐tocotrienol. In conclusion, our results indicate that delta‐tocotrienol exerts beneficial effects in high fat diet‐induced steatohepatitis, which warrants further investigation. Support or Funding Information Supported by a research grant from American River Nutrition