Sacha inchi oil suppresses hepatic triglyceride synthesis through inhibition of lipogenic gene expression in rats with high-fat and high-fructose intake
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v6i3.1901Abstract
Background: Excessive dietary fat and fructose intake stimulate hepatic fatty acid production by enhancing the expression of lipogenesis-related genes, including sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can suppress these genes, thereby attenuating hepatic triglyceride synthesis. Plukenetia volubilis L., commonly known as sacha inchi, is a notable source of PUFAs, and may therefore help prevent hepatic triglyceride accumulation.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of sacha inchi oil on the expression of genes involved in hepatic triglyceride synthesis.
Methods: Twenty-five 12-week-old male Wistar rats were distributed into five groups: (1) normal (N); (2) high-fat diet and fructose-containing drinking water (HFHF); and (3-5) HFHF supplemented with sacha inchi oil at doses of 0.13 g/day (S1), 0.26 g/day (S2), and 0.39 g/day (S3). Sacha inchi oil was administered orally for eight weeks. At the end of the study, hepatic triglyceride and DGAT2 levels were measured using enzymatic colorimetric and ELISA methods, respectively, while gene expression was analyzed using qPCR.
Results: The HFHF group showed significantly higher hepatic triglyceride and DGAT2 levels, as well as ChREBP, ACC1, and FAS gene expression, compared with the normal and sacha inchi oil-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Sacha inchi oil supplementation reduced the hepatic triglyceride and DGAT2 levels and suppressed the ChREBP, ACC1, and FAS gene expression, without affecting SREBP-1c and DGAT2 gene expression (P > 0.05).
Novelty: This study provides additional insight into the effects of sacha inchi oil, a PUFAs-rich-oil, on the hepatic lipid metabolism. The present results suggest that this oil may help reduce the expression of key genes involved in triglyceride synthesis, including ChREBP, FAS, and ACC1, under high-fat and high-fructose conditions. These results complement existing literature and support its potential role as a functional food component for preventing hepatic triglyceride accumulation.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that sacha inchi oil may prevent hepatic triglyceride accumulation by suppressing the expression of key genes involved in triglyceride synthesis.
Keywords: high-fat diet, fructose, triglyceride synthesis, sacha inchi oil, PUFA
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