How α-linolenic acid protects liver cells from fat-induced damage
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Yong, Yang Xia, Shi Hongyang, Dong Lei, Bai Jian
Primary Institution: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
Hypothesis
The cytoprotection provided by α-linolenic acid is effective against clinically-relevant palmitic acid lipotoxicity in rat primary hepatocytes.
Conclusion
α-Linolenic acid may provide a useful strategy to avoid the lipotoxicity of dietary palmitic acid and nutrient overload accompanied with obesity and NAFLD.
Supporting Evidence
- Palmitic acid caused significant cell death in primary rat hepatocytes.
- Co-treatment with α-linolenic acid reversed the apoptotic effects of palmitic acid.
- α-Linolenic acid reduced the expression of ER stress markers induced by palmitic acid.
Takeaway
This study shows that a type of fat called α-linolenic acid can help protect liver cells from damage caused by another fat called palmitic acid.
Methodology
Primary rat hepatocytes were treated with palmitic acid and/or α-linolenic acid in vitro, and various assays were conducted to measure cell viability, apoptosis, and protein expression related to ER stress.
Participant Demographics
Newborn (1-day-old) Sprague-Dawley rats were used for isolating hepatocytes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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