Ascorbic acid inhibits transcriptional activities of LXRα to ameliorate lipid metabolism disorder

Dandan Wang; Zequn Yin; Lan Han; Mengxue Zhang; Huaxin Li; Xiaoxiao Yang; Yuanli Chen; Shuang Zhang; Jihong Han; Yajun Duan

Journal of Functional Foods (Jan 2022)

Ascorbic acid inhibits transcriptional activities of LXRα to ameliorate lipid metabolism disorder

Dandan Wang,
Zequn Yin,
Lan Han,
Mengxue Zhang,
Huaxin Li,
Xiaoxiao Yang,
Yuanli Chen,
Shuang Zhang,
Jihong Han,
Yajun Duan

Affiliations

Dandan Wang: School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230011, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Zequn Yin: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Lan Han: School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230011, China
Mengxue Zhang: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Huaxin Li: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Xiaoxiao Yang: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Yuanli Chen: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Shuang Zhang: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
Jihong Han: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China; Corresponding authors at: College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 420 Feicui Road, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.
Yajun Duan: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China; Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230031, China; Corresponding authors at: College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 420 Feicui Road, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 88
p. 104901

Abstract

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It has been reported that ascorbic acid inhibits non-alcoholic fatty liver disease partially by activating fatty acid β-oxidation. However, little is known about the mechanism of ascorbic acid-mediated lipid synthesis. Western blot, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining were used to determine if ascorbic acid can regulate expression of liver X receptor α (LXRα) and AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), which are key regulators of lipogenic genes. In hepatocytes, ascorbic acid decreased cellular lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, ascorbic acid inhibited expression of the genes for lipid synthesis by reducing LXRα nuclear translocation and activating AMPKα. In vivo, administration of ascorbic acid decreased triglyceride levels in serum and liver as well as FFA levels in the liver. Taken together, AMPKα/LXRα-mediated reduction of lipid accumulation in the liver is a novel activity of ascorbic acid on lipid metabolism, suggesting that ascorbic acid is an effective and safe dietary supplement to ameliorate hypertriglyceridemia.

Published in Journal of Functional Foods

ISSN: 1756-4646 (Print); 2214-9414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-functional-foods

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