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Bioavailable human metabolites from TOTUM-448 (plant-based formulation) maintain liver cell functionality in a
Fabien Wauquier1, Vivien Chavanelle2, Annie Bouchard-Mercier2
1Faculté de Médecine, Clinic'n'Cell SAS, 28 place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand, 63001, France.
Scientific Reports
|December 16, 2025
Summary
Plant-based polyphenol metabolites from TOTUM-448 protect liver cells from fat accumulation and inflammation. This study shows potential for nutritional interventions in managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is driven by lipotoxicity and inflammation.
- Current MASLD treatments have side effects, necessitating alternative strategies like nutritional interventions.
- Preventive nutritional approaches require further clinical validation for efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of bioavailable metabolites from TOTUM-448, a polyphenol-rich formulation, on hepatocyte function.
- To assess how these metabolites influence key MASLD pathological features in vitro.
- To explore potential therapeutic mechanisms of plant-based compounds in liver health.
Main Methods:
- UHPLC-MS/MS analysis to identify and characterize polyphenol metabolites in human serum after TOTUM-448 intake.
- Treatment of HepG2 hepatocytes with metabolite-enriched serum, with and without palmitate challenge.
- Evaluation of cell viability, lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers.
Main Results:
- TOTUM-448 metabolites conferred resistance to palmitate-induced lipotoxicity, reducing intracellular lipid accumulation.
- Metabolites inhibited palmitate-induced upregulation of inflammatory gene expression.
- TOTUM-448 metabolites normalized ER stress markers (CHOP, XBP1, ATF6, Caspase-3) elevated by palmitate.
Conclusions:
- Circulating metabolites derived from TOTUM-448 protect hepatocytes against lipotoxic and inflammatory stress.
- These findings support the potential of TOTUM-448 as a preventive nutritional strategy for MASLD.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic benefits of this plant-based formulation.
Keywords:
Clinical trialEx vivoHuman hepatocytesHuman metabolitesLipotoxic stressMASLDOxidative stressPlant extractMore Related Videos
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