EFFECTS OF FISH OIL WITH HIGH DHA/EPA AND TRIGLYCERIDES ON LIPID METABOLISM IN FATTY LIVER RATS

Objective To investigate the effects of fish oil(FO) with high DHA/EPA-triglycerides(TG) on lipid metabolism in fatty liver rats and its mechanisms.Methods The fatty liver rat model was induced by feeding AIN93 with 1% orotic acid.The fatty liver rats were divided into ethyl ester FO control group(EE control group),low DHA/EPA-TG FO group(TG control group),and low,medium and high dosages of high DHA/EPA-TG FO groups(DHA/EPA-TG L,M,H group).The serum and hepatic lipids concentrations were detected after 20 d feeding.The mRNA expression levels of hepatic genes of transcription factors as well as key enzymes related to lipid metabolism were assessed by semi-quantity RT-PCR.Results Serum and hepatic lipids concentrations were significantly decreased by feeding high DHA/EPA-TG FO(P0.05,P0.01).The mRNA level of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c),fatty acid synthase(FAS),malic enzyme(ME) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PDH) were significantly inhibited(P0.01),while the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα),carnitin palmitoyl transferase(CPT-1) were obviously up-regulated by high DHA/EPA-TG FO(P0.05,P0.01).The three high DHA/EPA-TG FO groups were much more effective among all groups.Conclusion High DHA/EPA-TG fish oil could improve abnormal lipid metabolism in fatty liver rats by down-regulating the expressions of lipid synthesis genes and up-regulating the expressions of lipid catabolism genes.