Dihydroquercetin Supplementation Improved Hepatic Lipid Dysmetabolism Mediated by Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet (HFD)-Fed Mice

Abstract

Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) is a natural flavonoid with multiple bioactivities, including hepatoprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate whether DHQ improved lipid dysmetabolism in the body, especially in the liver, and whether there is a relationship between hepatic metabolism and altered gut flora in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice. HFD-induced mice were given 50 mg/kg body weight DHQ intragastrically for 10 weeks. The data showed that DHQ reduced body weight, the weight of the liver and white adipose tissue as well as serum leptin, LPS, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. RNA-seq results indicated that DHQ down-regulated lipogenesis-related genes and up-regulated fatty acid oxidation-related genes, including MOGAT1 and CPT1A. Furthermore, DHQ had a tendency to decrease hepatic cholesterol contents by reducing the mRNA levels of cholesterol synthesis genes such as FDPS and HMGCS1. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis indicated that DHQ significantly decreased the richness of Lactococcus, Lachnoclostridium, and Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group. Correlation analysis further demonstrated that these bacteria, Lactococcus and Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group in particular, had significantly positive correlation with lipid and cholesterol synthesis genes, and negative correlation with fatty acid oxidation genes. In conclusion, DHQ could improve hepatic lipid dysmetabolism potentially by improved gut microbial community, which may be used as an intervention strategy in hepatic metabolism diseases.

A polyphenol-rich plant extract prevents hypercholesterolemia and modulates gut microbiota in western diet-fed mice

“…This suggest that Lactococcus might have adverse effects on lipid metabolism homeostasis, and Muribaculum beneficial effects on plasma cholesterol. This is consistent with previous studies showing that Muribaculum relative abundance is lower in WD-fed mice ( 89 ) and obese mice fed a HFD ( 90 , 91 ) than in ND mice, and that Lactococcus richness is increased in animals fed a HFD ( 92 , 93 ). Thus, the present results suggest that Muribaculum and Lactococcus are bacteria associated with Totum-070 beneficial effect on lipid disorders caused by WD.…”

Protective Effect and Mechanism of DHQ On Ethanol-induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in GES-1 Cells

“…Excessive production of ROS or insufficient antioxidant function of cells will cause endogenous oxidation, resulting in more synthesis of some or some proteases in the body, resulting in the formation of oxidation products [18]. It has been reported that DHQ can reduce the activity of xanthine oxidase to achieve the purpose of antioxidation [19]. DHQ can inhibit inflammation by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and reducing the activity of inflammation-related protein genes and inflammation-related enzymes [20].…”