The effects of Tangshen Formula on lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis on OLETF Rats

Objective: To study the effects of Tangshen Formula (TSF) on lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis on Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) Rats and investigate the mechanism. Methods: OLETF rats were randomly divided into model group, TSF group (1.60g/kg) and Monopril group (0.833mg/kg). 18 male Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as control group. All animals were administered at 12 weeks of age, and sacrificed at 36 and 56 weeks of age respectively. The serum levels of lipids were measured, hepatic pathology were observed, and the mRNA expression of SREBP-1 and G6PD by RT-PCR were examined. Results: Compared with control group, the serum level of total cholesterol (TC) in model group was significantly higher at 56 weeks of age(P0.01), and the serum levels of triglyceride (TG) in model group were also significantly increased at 36 and 56 weeks of age. TSF could significantly decreased serum level of TC of OLETF rats, importantly, the histological evaluation of rat liver demonstrated that TSF reduced lipid accumulation of OLETF rats. RT-PCR revealed that TSF decreased the mRNA expression of SREBP -1 and G6PD in the liver of OLETF rats(P0.001). Conclusions: TSF could rectify disorder of lipid metabolism and improve hepatic steatosis of OLETF Rats, and its mechanisms may be related to inhibit the expression of SREBP-1 and G6PD mRNA in liver.