Diet and sexual hormones regulate hepatic synaptotagmin 1 mRNA in mice

The expression of Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) has been found to be associated with the lipid droplets in liver. Here, we studied the expression of Syt1 in Apoe-deficient mice receiving cholesterol, Western diet, squalene, and oleanolic acid. We also studied the influence of sex and impact of surgical castration. Dietary cholesterol increased hepatic Syt1 expression, an effect that was enhanced when cholesterol was combined with saturated fat present in a Western diet. This potentiation was modified by the administration of 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid or 1 g/kg squalene. Females fed chow or Western diet showed higher levels of hepatic Syt1 expression as compared to male mice on the same diet. Surgical castration of males did not modify the Syt1 expression; however, ovariectomy led to decreased levels. The data show that hepatic Syt1 expression is influenced by diet and hormonal milieu.