Cyclocarya paliurus extract attenuates hepatic lipid deposition in HepG2 cells by the lipophagy pathway.

CONTEXT: Cyclocarya paliurus (CP) (Batal.) Iljinsk (Cyclocaryaceae), a plant native to China, is the sole species in the genus Cyclocarya. Its leaves have been widely used as a remedy for hyperlipidaemia in traditional folk medicine. However, the mechanism underlying CP-induced lipolysis, especially in the liver, has not been entirely elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effect of CP ethanol extract (CPE) on hepatic steatosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of CPE at concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL on the viability of HepG2 cells was examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after incubation for 24 h. CPE-induced changes in intracellular lipid content were assessed by measuring the absorbance of oil red O staining at 520 nm, and the possible underlying mechanisms were further studied using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, western blotting, immunofluorescence studies and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CPE in HepG2 cells was 97.27 µg/mL. Treatment with 50 µg/mL CPE increased lipid clearance, which was associated with increased autophagy in HepG2 cells. CPE-induced autophagy involved downregulation of phosphorylation level of mammalian target of rapamycin (0.87 ± 0.08 vs. 1.31 ± 0.10). Fluorescent double staining and electron microscopy images showed lipid deposits within autolysosomes, thereby confirming the abovementioned findings. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: CPE can induce hepatic fat clearance through the autophagy-lysosome pathway known as lipophagy. CPE has potential as a functional food.

Correlation between plasma ferritin level and gestational diabetes mellitus and its impact on fetal macrosomia.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: To explore the relationship between plasma iron levels and gestational diabetes mellitus, as well as its impact on macrosomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared ferritin level and other characteristics between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnant women without GDM. The correlation between the levels of plasma ferritin, glucose and hemoglobin was explored. Meanwhile, we assessed the risk factors of macrosomia. Furthermore, we explored the relationship between ferritin level and the incidence of macrosomia. RESULTS: A total of 793 pregnant women were enrolled in the present study, of which 92 pregnant women had GDM and 701 pregnant women were healthy. Meanwhile, 51 pregnant women gave birth to infants with macrosomia and another 742 women had normal infants. Compared with non-GDM women, pregnant women with GDM were older, with higher pre-pregnancy body mass index, plasma ferritin, fasting plasma glucose, 1-h postprandial glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and hemoglobin. In addition, our results showed a significant positive correlation between the levels of ferritin and fasting plasma glucose when ferritin levels were >70 ng/mL. Our results also showed that pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, a high concentration of ferritin, as well as abnormal levels of fasting plasma glucose, 1-h plasma glucose and 2 h plasma glucose were risk factors for macrosomia. Furthermore, as the level of ferritin increased, so did the incidence of macrosomia. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides evidence that pregnant women with high levels of ferritin might be prone to GDM. In addition, a high level of ferritin might be an independent risk factor for macrosomia. Therefore, the negative effect of iron supplementation in non-anemic pregnant women might be noteworthy.