Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish
Published on: May 25, 2017
Mori Fructus Polysaccharides Attenuate Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage by Regulating Fatty Acid Synthesis, Degradation
Liang Bian1,2,3, Hua-Guo Chen1,2,3, Xiao-Jian Gong1,2,3
1Key Laboratory for Information System of Mountainous Areas and Protection of Ecological Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China.
Abstract:
Mori Fructus polysaccharides (MFP) are macromolecules extracted from Mori Fructus (MF), which has the biological activity of anti-liver damage. Our group found that MFP maybe down regulate the serum triglyceride level in mice with alcohol-induced liver damage, suggesting that MFP can regulate lipid metabolism, but its specific mechanism is still not clear. Fifty SPF-ICR male mice weighing 18-22 g were randomly divided into five groups, blank group, model group, bifendate group, MFPA1 group and MFPB1 group. The blood and liver tissues were taken from mice for nontargeted lipidomic analysis and histopathological examination after 7 day's treatment. The histopathological changes indicated that the normal liver cells were intact and regular, with orderly arrangement and distinct cell boundaries; the liver of model mice showed inflammatory infiltration, ballooning degeneration in the cells and small lipid drops; the liver of mice in the bifendate, MFPA1 and MFPB1 groups showed similar symptoms to those of model mice, but the lesions were less severe and the ballooning degeneration were reduced. Multivariate analysis of all lipids in the serum of five groups of mice showed there were obvious differences in lipid metabolism between the model group and the blank group. At the same time, seven kinds of differential lipids were precisely identified after screening, including prostaglandins, long-chain fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, acyl carnitines. In summary, alcohol intake and MFP intervention have significant effects on fatty acid synthesis, degradation and glycerophospholipid metabolism.
Insights
Mori Fructus polysaccharides (MFP) may improve alcohol-induced liver damage by regulating lipid metabolism. This study identified key changes in fatty acids and glycerophospholipids, offering insights into MFP
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
- Hepatology
Background:
- Mori Fructus polysaccharides (MFP) show anti-liver damage activity.
- The specific mechanism of MFP in regulating lipid metabolism, particularly in alcohol-induced liver damage, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MFP on lipid metabolism in mice with alcohol-induced liver damage.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of MFP's hepatoprotective effects.
Main Methods:
- Non-targeted lipidomic analysis of serum.
- Histopathological examination of liver tissues.
- Animal model of alcohol-induced liver damage in mice.
Main Results:
- Alcohol-induced liver damage model mice exhibited significant differences in lipid metabolism compared to controls.
- MFP intervention reduced liver lesions and cellular ballooning degeneration.
- Seven differential lipids, including prostaglandins, long-chain fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, and acyl carnitines, were identified.
Conclusions:
- MFP intervention significantly impacts fatty acid synthesis, degradation, and glycerophospholipid metabolism in alcohol-induced liver damage.
- MFP demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for managing alcohol-induced liver injury by modulating lipid metabolism.
