Tremella fuciformis Crude Polysaccharides Attenuates Steatosis and Suppresses Inflammation in Diet-Induced NAFLD Mice

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disorder characterized by an enhanced accumulation of lipids, which affects around 40% of the world’s population. The T. fuciformis fungus possesses immunomodulatory activity and other beneficial properties that may alleviate steatosis through a different mechanism. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect T. fuciformis crude polysaccharides (TFCP) on inflammatory and lipid metabolism gene expression, oxidative stress, and lipid profile. Mice were divided into groups receiving (a) a normal chow diet (NCD), (b) a methionine–choline-deficient (MCD) diet, and (c) a MCD diet with TFCP. Liver histopathology was performed, and the hepatic gene expression levels were estimated using qRT-PCR. The lipid profiles, ALT, AST, and efficient oxidative enzymes were analyzed using ELISA. The TFCP administration in the MCD-fed mice suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation, lipid metabolism-associated genes (HMGCR, FABP, SREBP, ACC, and FAS), and inflammation-associated genes (IL-1β, TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-6) whilst enhancing the expression of HNF4α genes. TFCP mitigated against oxidative stress and normalized healthy lipid profiles. These results highlighted that TFCP prevents NAFLD through the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting TFCP would potentially be an effective therapeutic agent against NAFLD progression.

Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide reduces obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice by modulation of gut microbiota

“…Bark has been used in China for thousands of years due to its unique flavour and positive role in disease prevention and treatment ( Wu et al, 2019 ; Yuan et al, 2022 ). As one of its active components, Tremella polysaccharide (TP) has many pharmacological effects, such as lowering blood glucose and lipid ( Kim et al, 2009 ; Bach et al, 2015 ; Chiu et al, 2022 ; Zhang et al, 2023 )and immunomodulation ( Shi et al, 2014 ; Xiao et al, 2021 ; Khan et al, 2022 ; Xie et al, 2022 ). In addition, the anti-radiation ( Xu et al, 2012 ), anti-ageing ( Tao et al, 2017 ) and antioxidant ( Chen, 2010 ) effects of TP have also been reported.…”

Structural analysis, in vitro antioxidant and lipid-lowering activities of purified Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide fractions

“…Furthermore, TFPS solution at certain concentration can effectively reduce UVA damage to skin broblasts [21]. In addition, Hepatic fatty acid synthesis can be regulated by TFPS, which suppresses NAFLD mainly by decreasing the expression of fatty acid synthesis regulators [22].…”

Research progress on the therapeutic effects of polysaccharides on non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases

“…TFCP was a kind of crude polysaccharides derived from Tremella fuciformis. A recent study by Zhou et al (42) found that TFCP could ameliorate inflammation in NAFLD mice via reducing the expressions of inflammation-associated genes (IL-1β, TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-6) and enhancing the HNF4α expression. Li et at (15) found that Chicory polysaccharide (CP) could improve inflammation in NAFLD rats by downregulating the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (Ifr1), which played a key role in hepatitis.…”