Exendin-4 regulates redox homeostasis in rats fed with high-fat diet

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased plasma homocysteine level, which is caused by down-regulation of hepatic cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) activity. CBS catalyzes the first step in the transsulfuration of homocysteine to cysteine, which contributes ∼50% of the cysteine required for hepatic biosynthesis of glutathione (GSH), the most abundant antioxidant in cells. As the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (e.g. exendin-4) effectively reverse hepatic steatosis, the effect of exendin-4 on both homocysteine and redox status was investigated in the livers of rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). It was found that HFD down-regulated CBS protein expression, which was probably due to induction of rno-miR-376c expression in the liver. The level of GSH was markedly reduced, whereas the level of malonydialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly increased in the livers of rats fed with HFD. Exendin-4 treatment increased hepatic CBS protein and GSH levels, and reduced malonydialdehyde level in hyperlipidemic rats. Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists have beneficial effects on redox homeostasis in NAFLD.