Objective: To observe the effects of puerarin on the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 / phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (P-JAK2/P-STAT3) proteins in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD).
Methods: A rat model of NAFLD was successfully established by feeding high-fat diet. All SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, untreated group, simvastatin-treated group and puerarin-treated group. After four-week treatment, the levels of hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol were analyzed by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathology of the liver tissue was observed by light microscopy. Serum leptin level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and P-JAK2/P-STAT3 proteins in the liver of NAFLD rats were quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis respectively.
Results: Puerarin significantly decreased the levels of hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol in NAFLD rats. Fat degeneration and inflammatory reaction in liver tissues of NAFLD rats were ameliorated after puerarin treatment. The serum leptin level was increased and the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and P-JAK2/P-STAT3 proteins were up-regulated in puerarin-treated group.
Conclusion: Puerarin can effectively attenuate liver lipid disorder and inflammation by improving the leptin resistance and enhancing the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and P-JAK2/P-STAT3 proteins.