Objective: To investigate and compare the effects of two common dietary phytosterols, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, in altering lipid metabolism and attenuating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Methods: Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were administered to mice at 0.4% in a high-fat western-style diet (HFWD) for 17 weeks.
Results: Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol significantly ameliorated HFWD-induced fatty liver and metabolic abnormalities, including elevated levels of hepatic total lipids, triacylglycerols, cholesterol and liver histopathology. Both phytosterols decreased the levels of intestinal bile acids, accompanied by markedly increased fecal lipid levels. In addition, they altered the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. β-Sitosterol was less effective in affecting most of these parameters. Lipidomic analysis of liver and serum samples showed that stigmasterol prevented the HFWD-induced elevation of some di- and triacylglycerol species and lowering of some phospholipid species. Stigmasterol also decreased serum levels of ceramides.
Conclusion: Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, at a dose corresponding to that suggested for humans by the FDA for lowering cholesterol levels, are shown to alleviate HFWD-induced NAFLD. Stigmasterol was more effective than β-sitosterol, possibly because of its suppression of hepatic lipogenic gene expression and modulation of circulating ceramide levels.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6226309 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2018.08.004 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, proteomics and experiments were used to verify the effect of Yigu decoction (YGD) on the expression of key genes in osteoporotic mice.
Ann Med
December 2025
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Background: Yigu decoction (YGD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription for the treatment of osteoporosis, although many clinical studies have confirmed its anti-OP effect, but the specific mechanism is still not completely clear.
Methods: In this study, through the methods of network pharmacology and molecular docking, the material basis and action target of YGD in preventing and treating OP were analyzed, and the potential target and mechanism of YGD in preventing and treating OP were clarified by TMT quantitative protein and experiment.
Results: Network pharmacology and molecular docking revealed that the active components of YGD were mainly stigmasterol and flavonoids.
Prospect of using ethnobotanicals to manage snakebites in a cost-effective manner: validating Senegalia mellifera extract's inhibitory potential on Naja nigricincta nigricincta (zebra cobra) venom.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
January 2025
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Health, Natural Resources and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 13388, 13 Jackson Kaujeua Street Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia.
Background: Despite Naja nigricincta nigricincta being responsible for most snake envenomation in remote Namibian regions, an effective intervention against its venom remains undiscovered. This study aimed to scientifically validate Namibian folklore claims about Senegalia mellifera extract's efficacy against snake envenomation.
Methods: In vitro assays were conducted to assess the inhibitory potential of S.
Stigmasterol mitigates estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis through inhibition of phosphorylated p65 and MAPK signaling pathways.
Front Pharmacol
December 2024
Lingnan Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Background: Osteoporosis is a pervasive bone metabolic disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of bone microstructure. Osteoclasts are playing a pivotal role in bone remodeling and resorption. Consequently, modulating osteoclast activity, particularly curbing their overactivation, has become a crucial strategy in clinical treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExploration of bioactive molecules from Sesbania grandiflora (L.): identification of squalene as an effective compound against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, through molecular docking.
Exp Appl Acarol
December 2024
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003, India.
Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch is a devastating polyphagous mite causing considerable economic loss. Acaricides are showered in crops to manage this pest. The pest is known for developing resistance to several classical acaricides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNetwork Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Study on the Mechanism of the Therapeutic Effect of Strychni Semen in NSCLC.
Biol Proced Online
December 2024
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Article Synopsis
- Strychni Semen has shown anti-tumor properties against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its molecular mechanisms require further investigation.
- The study utilized network pharmacology and molecular docking to identify 21 active components and 67 targets related to NSCLC, with key findings showing strong interactions between the components and core targets such as PTGS2 and NR3C1.
- Pathway analysis indicated that Strychni Semen's therapeutic effects on NSCLC primarily involve the Calcium, Estrogen, and cGMP-PKG/cAMP pathways, helping to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!