The 5' end of the mRNA-encoding sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) exists in two forms, designated 1a and 1c. The divergence results from the use of two transcription start sites that produce two separate 5' exons, each of which is spliced to a common exon 2. Here we show that the ratio of SREBP-1c to 1a transcripts varies markedly among organs of the adult mouse. At one extr...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease whose prevalence has increased markedly. We reported previously that fatty acid synthesis was enhanced in NAFLD with the accumulation of fatty acids. To clarify the disorder, we evaluated the expression of genes regulating fatty acid synthesis by real-time PCR using samples from NAFLD (n=22) and normal liver (control; n=10). A m...

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of xyloketal B on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects in both in vivo and in vitro models. We discovered an association between xyloketal B and the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) signaling pathway, which is related to lipid metabolism. Mice were dosed wi...

Liver X receptors (LXR) alpha and beta play an important role in regulating the expression of genes involved in hepatic bile and fatty acid synthesis, glucose metabolism, as well as sterol efflux. Studies with human embryonic kidney 293 cells indicate that unsaturated fatty acids interfere with oxysterols binding to LXR and antagonize oxysterol-induced LXRalpha activity. In this report, we eval...

BACKGROUND Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) is a regulator of the lipogenic pathway and is transcriptionally activated by liver X receptor α (LXRα). This study aims to investigate phytochemicals inhibiting the autonomous transactivity of LXRα with potentials as SREBP-1c inhibitors. Licochalcone A (LicA) is a flavonoid isolated from licorice root of Glycyrrhiza plant. ME...

Dietary PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) co-ordinately suppress transcription of a group of hepatic genes encoding glycolytic and lipogenic enzymes. Suppression of Fasn (fatty acid synthase) transcription involves two PUFA-responsive regions, but the majority of PUFA sensitivity maps to a region within the proximal promoter containing binding sites for NF-Y (nuclear factor-Y), Sp1 (stimulato...

OBJECTIVE The stimulatory effects of insulin on de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in the liver, where it is an important contributor to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatic and systemic insulin resistance, is strong and well established. In contrast, insulin plays only a minor role in DNL in adipose tissue. The reason why insulin stimulates DNL more in liver than in fat is not known but m...

Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs) are minor components of the diet with many reported biological activities. Our aim was to examine the function of the single trans-9,trans-11 (t9,t11), cis-9,trans-11 (c9,t11), and trans-10,cis-12 (t10,c12) isomers on gene expression in human macrophages. Therefore we incubated in vitro MCSF differentiated monocyte derived macrophages from three healthy donors a...

Abnormal lipid metabolism in adipose tissue is closely related to the occurrence and progression of a wide variety of metabolic syndromes. We have analyzed the pharmacological effects of Chinese herbal medicines on cell differentiation and lipid metabolism in adipocytes. Yi-Gan-San (YGS) is a Chinese herbal medicine that is effective in treating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of deme...

Evodiamine is the main active alkali of Wu Zhuyu, a widely distributed Chinese herb. It plays an important role in the regulation of body fat deposition. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of evodiamine administration on the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue. Fasted mice were subcutaneously injected with evodiamine (37 °C, 20 mg/kg),...