Role of autophagy in simulated ischemic-reperfused left atrial myocardium.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Autophagy has recently emerged as a potential and promising therapeutic approach to maintain cardiac cellular homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of autophagy in the ischemic-reperfused atrial myocardium. METHODS: Isolated rat left atria subjected to simulated ischemia-reperfusion were used. The bathing medium contained either 10 mM d-glucose or 10 mM d-glucose and 1.2 mM palmitate. 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used as pharmacological autophagy inhibitor. RESULTS: LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, an indicator of autophagosome formation, was significantly enhanced during reperfusion, this increase being slowed by the exposure to high palmitate concentration and prevented by 3-MA. Beclin-1 was significantly increased during reperfusion period in both metabolic conditions, and pharmacological inhibition of AMPK partially prevented LC3-II/LC3-I ratio increase. Autophagy inhibition significantly increased mitochondrial damage and impaired mitochondrial ATP synthesis rate at reperfusion. Tissue ATP content recovery and contractile reserve were also reduced during this period, these effects being more pronounced either in 3-MA treated atria and ischemic-reperfused atria incubated with palmitate. Moreover, severe tachyarrhythmias were observed in the presence of 3-MA, in both metabolic conditions. This phenomenon was partially prevented by mitochondrial inner membrane ion channels blocker, PK11195. CONCLUSION: Present study provides new insights into the role of autophagy in ischemic-reperfused atrial myocardium. The observation of greater deterioration in mitochondrial structure and function when this process was inhibited, suggests an association between autophagy and the structural and functional preservation of mitochondria. Exogenous metabolic substrates, to which the myocardium is exposed during ischemia-reperfusion, might not affect this process.

Pre-incisional infiltration with ropivacaine plus dexamethasone palmitate emulsion for postoperative pain in patients undergoing craniotomy: study protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-craniotomy pain is a common occurrence which is associated with poor outcomes. Pre-emptive scalp infiltration with dexamethasone and ropivacaine has been proven effective in previous studies but with limited clinical significance. Dexamethasone palmitate emulsion (D-PAL) is a pro-drug incorporating dexamethasone into lipid microspheres with greater anti-inflammatory activity and fewer side effects than free dexamethasone. However, its effects in post-craniotomy pain management remain unknown. This study hypothesizes that pre-emptive scalp infiltration with ropivacaine plus D-PAL emulsion can achieve superior analgesic effects to ropivacaine alone in adult patients undergoing craniotomy. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a single center, randomized controlled trial enrolling 130 patients scheduled for supratentorial craniotomy, which is expected to last longer than 4 h. We compare the efficacy and safety for postoperative pain relief of ropivacaine plus D-PAL group and ropivacaine alone group following pre-emptive scalp infiltration. Primary outcome will be pain Numerical Rating Scale at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes will include further analgesia evaluations and drug-related complications within a follow-up period of 3 months. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomized controlled trial aiming to assess the possible benefits or disadvantages of D-PAL emulsion for incisional pain in craniotomy. It may provide an alternative to optimize pain outcome for neurosurgical patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04488315). Registered on 19 July 2020.

Triptolide and l-ascorbate palmitate co-loaded micelles for combination therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and side effect attenuation.

Triptolide (TP) has its unique curative effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its application is limited by the poor water solubility and multi-organ toxicity. We herein developed a novel nanoparticle platform composed of L-ascorbate palmitate (VP, vitamin C derivative) that can deliver TP to synergistically treat arthritis and inhibit the occurrence of oxidative stress. The TP-loaded nanoparticles (termed TP-VP NPs) showed the suitable particle size (about 145 nm) and good physical stability. TP-VP NPs effectively down-regulated IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α levels to inhibit the erosion of synovitis and bone tissue, and alleviate the swelling and deformation of CIA mice's feet. Compared to the TP, TP-VP NPs could inhibit effectively the oxidative stress in liver, and alleviate significantly the triptolide-induced toxicity injury in liver, kidney and testicle. The results demonstrated that TP-VP NPs is a promising triptolide delivery system for the treatment of RA, which enhances the water solubility of TP and reduces the toxicity of TP in vivo.

Resolvin D3 improves the impairment of insulin signaling in skeletal muscle and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through AMPK/autophagy-associated attenuation of ER stress.

Resolvin D3 (RD3), an endogenous lipid mediator derived from omega-3 fatty acids, has been documented to attenuate inflammation in various disease models. Although it has been reported that omega-3 fatty acids attenuate metabolic disorders, the roles of RD3 in insulin signaling in skeletal muscle and hepatic lipid metabolism remain unclear. In the current study, we examined the role of RD3 in skeletal muscle insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis using in vitro and in vivo obesity models. In mouse primary hepatocytes, RD3 treatment reduced lipid accumulation and the production of lipogenic proteins (processed SREBP1 and SCD1) while improving insulin signaling in C2C12 myocytes. Furthermore, RD3 treatment ameliorated palmitate-induced ER stress markers (phospho-eIF2α and CHOP) in mouse primary hepatocytes and C2C12 myocytes. Treatment with RD3 increased phospho-AMPK expression and autophagy markers (LC3 conversion, p62 degradation, and autophagosome formation). AMPK siRNA or 3-MA reduced the effects of RD3 on C2C12 myocytes and mouse primary hepatocytes treated with palmitate. Finally, we confirmed the therapeutic effects of RD3 on skeletal muscle insulin resistance and hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. In vivo transfection-mediated suppression of AMPK restored all these changes in animal models. The results of the present study suggest that RD3 alleviates insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and hepatic steatosis via AMPK/autophagy signaling and provides an effective and safe therapeutic approach for treating metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD.

A New Berberine Preparation Protects Pancreatic Islet Cells from Apoptosis Mediated by Inhibition of Phospholipase A2/p38 MAPK Pathway.

We studied an amorphous solid dispersion of berberine with absorption enhancer sodium caprate (Huang-Gui solid dispersion preparations, HGSD). A therapeutic effect of HGSD was revealed in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus and palmitate-induced injury to MIN6 ß-cells. HGSD treatment (150 mg/kg) improved glucose metabolism and decreased ß-cell apoptosis in diabetic mice. Furthermore, the effective component of HGSD berberine significantly attenuated the palmitate-induced decrease in MIN6 ß-cells viability and insulin secretion. Moreover, molecular docking analysis and Western blotting showed that berberine decreased cell apoptosis and expression of group VIA phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and caspase-3. These data suggest that HGSD treatment protected ß-cells via inhibiting the iPLA2/p38 MAPK pathway.

Valdecoxib attenuates lipid-induced hepatic steatosis through autophagy-mediated suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Valdecoxib (VAL) is one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and menstrual cramps. Recently, VAL ameliorates skeletal muscle insulin resistance via suppression of inflammation. However, the effects of VAL on lipid metabolism in hepatocytes have not been seen yet. This study investigated the effects of VAL on lipid accumulation and lipogenesis in human primary hepatocytes. Treatment with VAL suppressed lipid accumulation and expressions of lipogenic genes, such as processed sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP1) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) in palmitate-treated hepatocytes. Furthermore, VAL ameliorated dose-dependently palmitate-induced ER stress markers. Treatment of hepatocytes with VAL increased AMPK phosphorylation and SIRT6 expression. siRNA-mediated suppression of AMPK or SIRT6 abolished the effects of VAL on lipid accumulation, lipogenesis, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in palmitate-treated hepatocytes. Administration of VAL ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and lipogenic protein expression in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, in vivo AMPK siRNA transfection abolished the effects of VAL on hepatic steatosis and lipid metabolism. These results suggest that VAL suppresses ER stress through the AMPK/SIRT6 pathway, thereby attenuating hepatic steatosis under hyperlipidemic conditions. Using VAL, the current study results provide clues for developing a novel therapeutic agent for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Initiation of quarterly palmitate paliperidone in French clinical practice: Results from the observational, cross-sectional OPTIMUS study.

PURPOSE: Long-term antipsychotic treatment is key to a positive clinical outcome in schizophrenia. Recent guidelines recommend the prescription of long-acting antipsychotic formulations (LAIs) as early as the first episode in patients with schizophrenia. The OPTIMUS study evaluated real-world use of a new three-monthly paliperidone palmitate formulation (PP3M) in France. METHODS: For this observational cross-sectional study, all French psychiatrists were invited to enrol patients who had initiated PP3M in the previous 4 months. Snapshot data were collected at a routine consultation, without any modification of clinical practice. RESULTS: This population of 350 patients with schizophrenia started on PP3M predominantly included single men, living independently with a diagnosis of schizophrenia for a median of 9.3 years. Demographic characteristics were broadly comparable to those reported in other studies on LAIs. Investigators cited treatment simplification (96.9%) and patient comfort (93.3%) as the most common reasons for switching to PP3M; enhancing adherence was mentioned less often (61.1%) with most patients previously considered as adherent, and a majority of them expressing a positive attitude to their treatment. One-third of patients accepted the psychiatrist's proposal to initiate PP3M treatment without any discussion, and relatives were involved in the therapeutic decision-making process in only 23.7% of cases. After initiation, few changes were seen in professional follow-up frequency or concomitant pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities except for a decrease in antipsychotic polytherapy. CONCLUSIONS: PP3M is mostly prescribed in adherent patients with fairly stable schizophrenia, and the longer dosing interval does not substantially affect patient care.

Development, evaluation and biodistribution of stealth liposomes of 5-fluorouracil for effective treatment of breast cancer.

The current research was undertaken to design stealth liposomes of 5-Fluorouracil for reducing its cardiotoxicity and prolong the half-life by developing long-circulating liposomes. The liposomes were prepared by the NH4EDTA gradient method, where EDTA is used as a cardioprotectant. Ascorbyl-6-palmitate was also used which helped for the synergistic effect of 5-Fluorouracil to counteract the cancer cells and provide promising application in the treatment of breast cancer cells. Taguchi design was used for screening of formulation and HSPC phospholipid was selected. The drug-excipient compatibility was checked through FTIR which showed all the excipients were compatible with the drug. The formulation was optimized by using 32 factorial design. The drug to lipid ratio (1:5) and Ascorbyl-6-Palmitate concentration (15 mg) were selected. The vesicle size of the prepared liposomes was found to be 70.12 ± 0.58 nm and uniform distribution was observed. The zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of the stealth liposomes were found -16.28 mV and 92 ± 0.007% respectively. In-vitro drug release study of formulation showed drug release of 63.50 ± 0.94% in 24 hrs. The formulation was sterilized by 0.22 µm Mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membrane filter and passed sterility test. Moreover, a biodistribution study was performed by Fluorescence microscopy and by HPLC method, which showed formulation was circulated for 24 hours. Finally, a cell line study indicated that prepared formulation possess greater anti-tumour activity. The cardiotoxicity study revealed that the stealth liposomes have minimum cardiotoxicity as compare to the plain drug.

Wolfberry-derived zeaxanthin dipalmitate delays retinal degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa through modulating STAT3, CCL2 and MAPK pathways.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited photoreceptor degeneration diseases that causes blindness without effective treatment. The pathogenesis of retinal degeneration involves mainly oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD), a wolfberry-derived carotenoid, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects. Here we investigated whether these properties of ZD can delay the retinal degeneration in rd10 mice, a model of RP, and explored its underlying mechanism. One shot of ZD or control vehicle was intravitreally injected into rd10 mice on postnatal day 16 (P16). Retinal function and structure of rd10 mice were assessed at P25, when rods degenerate substantially, using a visual behavior test, multi-electrode-array recordings and immunostaining. Retinal pathogenic gene expression and regulation of signaling pathways by ZD were explored using transcriptome sequencing and western blotting. Our results showed that ZD treatment improved the visual behavior of rd10 mice and delayed the degeneration of retinal photoreceptors. It also improved the light responses of photoreceptors, bipolar cells and retinal ganglion cells. The expression of genes that are involved in inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress were up-regulated in rd10 mice, and were reduced by ZD. ZD further reduced the activation of two key factors, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, down-regulated the expression of the inflammatory factor GFAP, and inhibited extracellular signal regulated protein kinases and P38, but not the JNK pathways. In conclusion, ZD delays the degeneration of the rd10 retina both morphologically and functionally. Its anti-inflammatory function is mediated primarily through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 and MAPK pathways. Thus, ZD may serve as a potential clinical candidate to treat RP.

Nanomedicine-based combination of dexamethasone palmitate and MCL-1 siRNA for synergistic therapeutic efficacy against rheumatoid arthritis.

The main aim of this research was to design a MCL-1 siRNA and dexamethasone (DEX)-loaded folate modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-based polymeric micelles with an eventual goal to improve the therapeutic outcome in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Polymeric micelles encapsulating the MCL-1 siRNA and DEX was successfully developed and observed to be stable. Physicochemical characteristics such as particle size and particle morphology were ideal for the systemic administration. Folate-conjugated DEX/siRNA-loaded polymeric micelles (DS-FPM) significantly lowered the MCL-1 mRNA expression compared to either DEX/siRNA-loaded polymeric micelles (DS-PM) or free siRNA in Raw264.7 cells and macrophage cells suggesting the importance of targeted nanocarriers. Most importantly, DS-FPM exhibited a greatest decrease in the hind paw volume with lowest clinical score compared to any other treated group indicating a superior anti-inflammatory activity. DS-FPM showed significantly lower levels of the TNF-α and IL-1ß compared to AIA model and free groups. The folate receptor (FR)-targeting property of DS-FPM has been demonstrated to be a promising delivery platform for the effective delivery of combination therapeutics (siRNA and DEX) toward the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methyl palmitate protects heart against ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury through G-protein coupled receptor 40-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

This study aimed to investigate whether methyl palmitate (MP) exerts cardioprotective effect against the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its mechanisms underlying. The cultured adult cardiomyocytes were treated with vehicle or lactic acid ischemic buffer (pH 6.8) during hypoxia/reoxygenation. In addition, the cardioprotective effect of MP was evaluated using the ex vivo heart model of I/R injury. Here, we found that MP significantly reduced the I/R-induced cardiomyocyte death. Treatment with GW1100 (a GPR40-antagonist) or wortmannin (a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, PI3K, specific inhibitor) significantly attenuated the level of phospho-AKT (p-AKT) and abolished the MP-induced cardioprotection against the I/R-induced injury. Using the ex vivo I/R model, we also demonstrated that pretreatment with MP significantly reduced the size of myocardial infarction and the levels of cleaved-caspase 3 and MDA, and increased the protein levels of GPR40 and p-AKT induced by I/R. The cardioprotective effect of MP was evaluated also using the in vivo heart model of I/R injury. We demonstrated that post-ischemic treatment with MP significantly attenuated the size of myocardial infarction and the serum level of CK-MB induced by in vivo I/R model. Taken together, our data suggest that MP could provide significant cardioprotection against the I/R injury, and the underlying mechanisms by which MP prevented the cardiomyocyte death might be mediated through the GPR40-activated PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. These findings suggest the potential applications of MP in the treatment of I/R-induced heart injury.

'Methyl palmitate attenuates adjuvant induced arthritis in rats by decrease of CD68 synovial macrophages.

The study was designed to investigate the potential anti-arthritic effects of methyl palmitate in an adjuvant arthritis model in rats that shares many histopathological similarities with human RA. The underlying mechanism and its effect on CD68 macrophages were investigated, as a further argument to its possible efficacy in RA treatment. A normal control group was injected only with saline, arthritic group, and three treatment groups with CFA induced arthritis received methyl palmitate (MP) at three different doses (75, 150, 300 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks, intraperitoneal). The degree of ipsilateral paw swelling, ankle diameter, spleen index, thymus index and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß were measured. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated using CD68 expression. Methyl palpitate significantly and dose dependently decreased the arthritic symptoms as measured by ipsilateral paw volume and ankle diameter. It showed no effect on body weight but significantly decreased splenic, thymus index, serum TNF-α and IL-1ß. CD68 macrophages expression and the overall synovial inflammatory cellularity were halted. Methyl palmitate exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and exerts a potential anti-arthritic effect in a rat model of adjuvant induced arthritis. Furthermore, it inhibits expression of synovial CD68 macrophage that validate its therapeutic potential adjuvant arthritis.

Gut Microbiota Functional Dysbiosis Relates to Individual Diet in Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis.

Gut Microbiota (GM) dysbiosis associates with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases (ACVD), but whether this also holds true in subjects without clinically manifest ACVD represents a challenge of personalized prevention. We connected exposure to diet (self-reported by food diaries) and markers of Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis (SCA) with individual taxonomic and functional GM profiles (from fecal metagenomic DNA) of 345 subjects without previous clinically manifest ACVD. Subjects without SCA reported consuming higher amounts of cereals, starchy vegetables, milky products, yoghurts and bakery products versus those with SCA (who reported to consume more mechanically separated meats). The variety of dietary sources significantly overlapped with the separations in GM composition between subjects without SCA and those with SCA (RV coefficient between nutrients quantities and microbial relative abundances at genus level = 0.65, p-value = 0.047). Additionally, specific bacterial species (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the absence of SCA and Escherichia coli in the presence of SCA) are directly related to over-representation of metagenomic pathways linked to different dietary sources (sulfur oxidation and starch degradation in absence of SCA, and metabolism of amino acids, syntheses of palmitate, choline, carnitines and Trimethylamine n-oxide in presence of SCA). These findings might contribute to hypothesize future strategies of personalized dietary intervention for primary CVD prevention setting.

2-Bromopalmitate attenuates inflammatory pain by maintaining mitochondrial fission/fusion balance and function.

Inflammatory pain activates astrocytes and increases inflammatory cytokine release in the spinal cord. Mitochondrial fusion and fission rely on the functions of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), which are essential for the synaptic transmission and plasticity. In the present study, we aimed to explore the effects of 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), an inhibitor of protein palmitoylation, on the modulation of pain behavior. Rats were intraplantar injected with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to establish an inflammatory pain model. In the spinal cord of rats with CFA-induced inflammatory pain, the expression of astrocyte-specific glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and contents of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α were increased. Mitochondrial Drp1 was increased, while OPA1 was decreased. Consequently, CFA induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) expression. The intrathecal administration of 2-BP significantly reversed the pain behaviors of the inflammatory pain in rats. Moreover, 2-BP also reduced the Drp1 expression, elevated the OPA1 expression, and further reduced the GFAP, IL-1ß, and TNF-α expression and ROS production. Furthermore, in vitro study proved a similar effect of 2-BP on the regulation of Drp1 and OPA1 expression. 2-BP also increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased the levels of BAX, ROS, and proinflammatory cytokines. These results indicate that 2-BP may attenuate the inflammatory pain of CFA-treated rats via regulating mitochondrial fission/fusion balance and function.

Improvement of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by daucosterol palmitate-induced neuronal apoptosis inhibition via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Traditional Chinese medicine has growing importance in the treatment of ischemia stroke due to its abundance and low drug resistance. In this study, we aim to investigate the therapeutic potential of daucosterol palmitate against ischemia stroke, as well as its neuro-protective mechanism. The dose-response effects of daucosterol palmitate in the protection from brain damage were evaluated in a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rat model. The correlation of neuro-protective effects of daucosterol palmitate with apoptosis inhibition was examined and the possible signaling targets were identified. Our findings revealed that daucosterol palmitate treatment after 2 h' ischemia significantly lowered brain damage, and neuronal cell apoptosis caused by I/R injury in a dose-response mode (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg). Western blot analysis indicated that daucosterol palmitate could reverse the effects of I/R injury on protein expression of PI3K and mTOR, and phosphorylation of Akt. Contrarily, inactivation of PI3K using wortmannin dramatically antagonized the effect of daucosterol palmitate for I/R injury. With these findings, it supports the application potential of daucosterol palmitate in the treatment of ischemia stroke. Besides, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway might be potential cellular targets for daucosterol palmitate.

Wolfberry-Derived Zeaxanthin Dipalmitate Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Damage.

SCOPE: Besides abstinence and nutritional support, there is no proven clinical treatment for patients with alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Here, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of wolfberry-derived zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD) on AFLD models are demonstrated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The hepatoprotective effects of ZD are evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Direct interacting receptors of ZD on cell membranes are identified by liver-specific knockdown and biophysical measurements. Downstream signaling pathways are delineated using molecular and cellular biological methods. It is demonstrated that ZD attenuates hepatocyte and whole-liver injury in ethanol-treated cells (dose: 1 µm) and a chronic binge AFLD rat model (dose: 10 mg kg-1 ), respectively. The direct targets of ZD on the cell membrane include receptor P2X7 and adiponectin receptor 1 (adipoR1). Signals from P2X7 and adipoR1 modulate the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase-Akt and/or AMP-activated protein kinase-FoxO3a pathways, to restore mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) functions suppressed by ethanol intoxication. In addition, ZD alleviates hepatic inflammation partially via the inhibition of Nod-like receptor 3 inflammasome, whose activation is a direct consequence of suppressed mitophagy. Liver-specific inhibition of receptors or mitophagy significantly impairs the beneficial effects of ZD. CONCLUSIONS: ZD is an effective and promising agent for the potential treatment of AFLD.

Administration of methyl palmitate prevents non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by induction of PPAR-α.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The lack of valid therapeutic approach that can ameliorate the manifestations of NASH is a barrier to therapeutic development. Therefore, we investigate the novel role of Methyl Palmitate (MP) in preventing NASH and the possible mechanism involved. METHODS: 50 Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10). The control group was fed control diet; model group was fed MCD diet; MP 1 group was fed MCD diet supplemented with MP (75 mg/kg/day); MP 2 group was fed MCD plus MP diet (150 mg/kg/day); and MP 3 group was fed MCD plus MP diet (300 mg/kg/day). Histological staining's, and commercially available kits for serum ALT and AST and hepatic contents of TG, TC, MDA, SOD, and GSH were used to assess NASH. Furthermore, relative liver protein and gene expression levels were determined by Western Blot and qPCR, respectively. RESULTS: Mice fed MCD diet developed NASH, which was markedly improved by MP in a dose-dependent manner. MP treatment improved hepatic content of TG, TC, MDA, SOD and GSH and serum levels of ALT and AST. In vivo studies showed that MP treatment activated PPARα expression, that in turns, promoted ß-oxidation protein and gene expressions, suppressed TNFα, MCP1, TGFß1 and Colla1 protein and gene expression levels, contributing to the prevention of NASH. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that MP could successfully prevent NASH. This effect of MP was mediated through induction of PPARα pathway. This study provides a novel therapeutic target that plays pivotal role in the prevention of NASH.