Er-Chen Decoction Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats through Remodeling Gut Microbiota and Regulating the Serum Metabolism

Abstract

Many studies have found that the dysfunction in gut microbiota and the metabolic dysfunction can promote nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. Er-Chen decoction (EC) can be used in the treatment of NAFLD. However, the mechanism of this hepatoprotection is still unknown. In this study, we constructed a rat model with NAFLD fed with high-fat chow and administered EC treatment. The therapeutic effects of EC on NAFLD were evaluated by measuring transaminases, blood lipid levels, and pathological changes in the liver. In addition, we measured the effects of EC on liver inflammatory response and oxidative stress. The changes in gut microbiota after EC treatment were studied using 16S rRNA sequencing. Serum untargeted metabolomics analysis was also used to study the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of EC on NAFLD. The results showed that EC decreased the serum transaminases and lipid levels and improved the pathological changes in NAFLD rats. Furthermore, EC enhanced the activities of SOD and GSH-Px and decreased MDA level in the liver. EC treatment also decreased the gene and protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the liver and serum. The 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics indicated that EC treatment affected the gut microbiota and regulated serum metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the effects of EC on taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism pathways were associated with affecting in the abundance of Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Lachnospiraceae, Desulfovibri, Romboutsia, Akkermansia, Intestinimonas, and Candidatus_saccharimonas in the gut. In conclusion, our study confirmed the protective effect of EC on NAFLD. EC could treat NAFLD by inhibiting oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory responses, and improving the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the modulation of the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism pathways in serum.

Antidiabetic effect of sciadonic acid on type 2 diabetic mice through activating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and altering intestinal flora

“…However, SA significantly reduced the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio, Enterorhabdus, the norank_f__Clostridium_methylpentosum_group, Dubosiella, and Alistipes. Notably, Desulfovibrio, Enterorhabdus, and Dubosiella were positively correlated with intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress (34,35), which is consistent with the experimental results showing a significant increase in IL-6 and TNF-α and a significant decrease in SOD and GSH-Px in T2DM mice (Figure 2).…”

Potential Effects of Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercitrin on Memory by Altering the Gut Microbiota-Blood–Brain Axis in Mice

“…The correlation analysis revealed that serum taurine level positively correlated with the relative level of the Akkermansia, which was consistent with a previous report that the influence of Er-Chen decoction on taurine and hypotaurine metabolism might be associated with the abundance of Akkermansia. 46 Thus, AGIQ-mediated altered composition of the gut bacteria that might enhance serum taurine led to improved memory in mice.…”

Yujin powder improves large intestine dampness‐heat syndrome by regulating gut microbiota and serum metabolism

“…Correlation analysis demonstrated that taurine and taurochenodeoxycholic acid were significantly associated with Bacteroides , Blautia , Allobaculum , Alistipes , Parabacteroides , Desulfovibrio , Lactobacillus , Lachnoclostridium, and Ruminococcus . Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio have been found to be associated with taurine and taurocholic acid in high‐fat diet‐induced NAFLD (Miao et al, 2022). It was reported that Ruminococcaceae and Bacteroidaceae affected taurine and hypotaurine metabolism (Luo et al, 2020).…”

“…and Desulfovibrio have been found to be associated with taurine and taurocholic acid in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD (Miao et al, 2022). It was reported that Ruminococcaceae and Bacteroidaceae affected taurine and hypotaurine metabolism (Luo et al, 2020).…”