Dihydroartemisinin ameliorates the liver steatosis in metabolic associated fatty liver disease mice by attenuating the inflammation and oxidative stress and promoting autophagy.

Purpose: To explore the effect and potential mechanism of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on metabolism-related fatty liver disease.

Methods: A metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) mice model was induced with continuous supplies of high-fat diet. DHA was intraperitoneally injected into mice. The weight of mice was monitored. The concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The liver tissues were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. The level of inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, biochemical examination, Western blot and transmission electron microscope assays.

Results: DHA treatment reduced theMAFLD-enhanced the level of weight gain, the concentrations of TC, TG, LDL and malonaldehyde, while increasedthe MAFLD-decreased the concentrations of HDL and superoxide dismutase. DHA ameliorated the MAFLD-aggravated pathological changes and the number of lipid droplets. Low dose of DHA declined the MAFLD-induced the enhancement of the expression of inflammatory factor. DHA treatment increased the MAFLD-enhanced the level of autophagy related protein, while decreased the MAFLD-reduced the protein level of p62. The increased level of autophagy was confirmed by transmission electron microscope.

Conclusions: DHA can improve liver steatosis in MAFLD mice by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress and promoting autophagy.