RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of diseases from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Here, we investigated the hepatoprotective role of Moringa oleifera aqueous extract on hepatic miRNAs, genes and protein expression, as well as histological and biochemical parameters in an experimental model of NASH. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high fat diet (HFD, 60% lipids, 42 gr/L sugar in water) for 16 weeks. Moringa extract was administered via gavage during the final 8 weeks. Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) and HOMA-IR were calculated. Serum levels of insulin, resistin, leptin and PAI-1 and hepatic expression of miR-21a-5p, miR-103-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-34a-5p and SIRT1, AMPKα and SREBP1c protein were evaluated. Alpha-SMA immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome and sirius red staining were made. Hepatic transcriptome was analyzed using microarrays. RESULTS: Animals treated with Moringa extract improved ITT and decreased SREBP1c hepatic protein, while SIRT1 increased. Hepatic expression of miR-21a-5p, miR-103-3p and miR-122-5p, miR34a-5p was downregulated. Hepatic histologic analysis showed in Moringa group (HF + MO) a significant decrease in inflammatory nodules, macro steatosis, fibrosis, collagen and αSMA reactivity. Analysis of hepatic transcriptome showed down expression of mRNAs implicated in DNA response to damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, lipid biosynthesis and insulin resistance. Moringa reduced insulin resistance, de novo lipogenesis, hepatic inflammation and ER stress. CONCLUSIONS: Moringa prevented progression of liver damage in a model of NASH and improved biochemical, histological and hepatic expression of genes and miRNAs implicated in MAFLD/NASH development.