Effects of Osthole on Protein Expression of CYP7A1, DGAT2 and PPARalpha/gamma in Fat Milk-Induced Fatty Liver Rats

To determine the effect of osthole on protein expression of PPARalpha/gamma and related target molecules such as CYP7A and DGAT in the liver of hyperlipidemic fatty liver (HFL) rats, and to investigate the possible mechanism of treating HFL. HFL rat model was established by feeding the Sprague-Dawley rats with fat milk for 6 weeks. The experimental rats were then treated with 5-20 mg/kg osthole for 6 weeks. The proteins expression of PPARalpha/gamma, CYP7A1, and DGAT2 in rat liver was measured by western blot analyses. After administration of osthole, expression of PPARalpha and PPARgamma proteins in HFL rat liver was increased by 49% ~ 133% and 19% ~ 113% in the osthole groups as compared with model group, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The related target proteins were increased by 85% ~ 147% for CYP7A1 and decreased by 35% ~ 62% for DGAT2 by the osthole-treatment, respectively (P<0.01). Osthole possessed therapeutic effects on fat milk-induced fatty liver in rats, and the mechanism might be attributed to regulating the protein expression of CYP7A1 and DGAT2 via increasing PPARalpha/gamma.