Kaempferol Alleviates Steatosis and Inflammation During Early Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Associated With Liver X Receptor α-Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase 3 Signaling Pathway

Background: Kaempferol (KP) has a variety of biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-aging and cardiovascular protection. Whether KP has a therapeutic effect on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the detailed mechanism is currently unclear. This study aims to explore the mechanism of KP in the treatment of NASH through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods: 1) In vivo experiment: In the C57BL/6 NASH mice model induced by high fat diet (HFD), KP was administered by gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day. 2) In vitro experiment: Palmitic acid/Oleic acid (PA/OA, 0.375/0.75 mM) was used to intervene HepG2 and AML12 cells to establish a steatosis cell model. Three concentrations of KP, low (20 mu mol/L), medium (40 mu mol/L) and high (60 mu mol/L) were used in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression of related molecules involved in LXR alpha-LPCAT3-ERS pathway were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results: In the NASH mouse model, KP can significantly reduce the expression of LXR alpha, LPCAT3 and ERS-related factors PERK, eIF2 alpha, ATF6, ATF4, XBP1, CHOP, IRE1 alpha and GRP78. In the PA/OA-induced cell model, KP could decrease the content of triglyceride and lipid droplets, and also decrease the expression of LXR alpha, LPCAT3 and ERS related factors PERK, eIF2 alpha, ATF6, ATF4, XBP1, CHOP, IRE1 alpha and GRP78. Conclusion: KP may decrease the expression level of LXR alpha and LPCAT3, thus improve ERS and reduce hepatic steatosis and inflammation.