P-2 DE NOVO LIPOGENESIS MARKERS ARE INVOLVED IN METABOLIC ASSOCIATED FATTY LIVER DISEASE PROGRESSION IN BTBR OB/OB MICE

Introduction and Objectives

The new recommendations suggesting changing the current nomenclature from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) to Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are primarily aimed at improving the understanding of the disease. MAFLD is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is usually associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, excluding other causes not associated with positive energy balance. This study aimed to characterize the pathophysiological mechanism involved in MAFLD development in susceptible-strain Black Tan and brachyuric (BTBR) insulin-resistant mice in combination with leptin deficiency (ob/ob).

Materials and Methods

We studied liver morphology and biochemistry on our diabetic and obese mice model (BTBR ob/ob) as well as a diabetic non-obese control (BTBR + streptozotocin) and non-diabetic control mice (BTBR wild type) from 4-22 weeks. The lipid composition was assessed and lipid-related pathways were studied at transcriptional and protein levels.

Results

Microvesicular steatosis was evident in BTBR ob/ob from week 6, progressing to macrovesicular in the following weeks. At the 12th week, inflammatory clusters, activation of STAT3 and Nrf2 signaling pathways, and hepatocellular ballooning. At 22 weeks, the histopathological features previously observed were maintained and no signs of fibrosis were detected. Liver gene-expression analysis demonstrated modifications in fatty acid transporters associated with uptake (Cd36, Cd204, Fatp4)/efflux (Abca1, Abcg1), de novo fatty acid synthesis enzymes (ACC, FASN, SCD-1) and transcription factors related to lipogenic pathways (Pparα/γ, Srebp-1, Chrebp-1). Additionally, the lipidomic analysis showed profiles associated with de novo lipogenesis (DNL), showing a significant increase in palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1n7) and oleic acid (C18:1n9).

Conclusions

BTBR ob/ob mice develop MAFLD profiles that resemble pathological features observed in humans, with overactivation of inflammatory response, oxidative stress and DNL signaling pathways. Therefore, BTBR ob/ob mouse is an excellent model for the study of the steatosis to steatohepatitis transition.

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