Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Mar 2021)
Electromagnetic Fields Ameliorate Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis by Modulating Redox Homeostasis and SREBP-1c Expression in db/db Mice
Abstract
Mingming Zhai,1,* Xi Yan,2,* Jiangzheng Liu,3 Zi Long,3 Siyan Zhao,4 Wendan Li,4 Ying Liu,4 Chunxu Hai3 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Toxicology, Shanxi Provincial Key Lab of Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 4Institute of Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defence, Beijing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Chunxu HaiAir Force Medical University (AFMU), No. 169 Changle West Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710032, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-29-84774879Email [email protected] LiuInstitute of Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defence, No. 1, Yangfang Zhongxin North Street, Beijing, 102205, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has recently become known as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), has risen. However, pharmacotherapies for this disease have not been approved. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have excellent bioeffects on multiple diseases. However, the effects of EMFs on NAFLD are unknown. This study investigated the bioeffects of EMF exposure on insulin resistance, liver redox homeostasis and hepatic steatosis in db/db mice.Methods: Animals were sacrificed after EMF exposure for 8 weeks. The fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in the serum were tested. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated by a formula. The levels of MDA, GSSG and GSH, biomarkers of redox, were assessed. The activities of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px were assessed. The body and liver weights were measured. Hepatic lipid accumulation was observed by Oil Red O staining. Hepatic CAT, GR, GSH-Px, SOD1, SOD2 and SREBP-1 expression was determined by Western blotting.Results: EMF exposure ameliorated insulin resistance and oxidative stress in the liver by downregulating the MDA and GSSG levels, increasing the reduced GSH levels, and promoting the GSH-Px levels in db/db mice. In addition, liver weight and triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced by EMF exposure. Simultaneously, EMF exposure improved hepatic steatosis by downregulating the protein expression of SREBP-1c.Conclusion: The present findings suggest that EMF exposure has positive effects in the treatment of NAFLD.Keywords: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, electromagnetic fields, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, insulin resistance
