β-glycosphingolipids ameliorated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in the Psammomys obesus model

Figures & data

Table 1 Experimental and control groups

Group	Treatment	Dose (mg/kg)	Diet
A	GC	2.5	HE
B	LC	2.5	HE
C	IGL	2.5	HE
D	GC	5.0	HE
E	LC	5.0	HE
F	IGL	5.0	HE
G	PBS	–	HE
H	PBS	–	LE

Abbreviations: GC, β-glucosylceramide; HE, high energy; IGL, 1:1 β-glucosylceramide and β-lactosylceramide; LC, β-lactosylceramide; LE, low energy; PBS, phosphate buffered saline.

Figure 1 Effect of β-glycosphingolipids on liver injury and histology.

Notes: (A) Liver enzymes were measured in the serum of all the rats in all groups. Data are shown as means + standard error. (B) Histology in five liver sections was evaluated in each of the animals and by staining with H&E (upper panel) and Oil Red O (lower panel). Representative liver biopsies from a group A animal and a group G animal (×10 magnification) reveal a significant decrease in fat content in the GC-treated animal.

Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; GC, β-glucosylceramide; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin; ns, not significant.

Figure 2 Effect of β-glycosphingolipids on liver fat content in Psammomys obesus fed a high-energy diet.

Notes: (A) MRI was used to quantify the amount of fat in treated P. obesus livers. The calculated MRI index was performed for each rat in each of the groups. Results are presented as means + standard error for each group. (B) A representative MR image from P. obesus fed a high-energy diet and treated with PBS (group G) or GC (group A).

Abbreviations: GC, β-glucosylceramide; IP, in-phase; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; OP, out-of-phase; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; SI, signal intensity.

Figure 3 Effect of β-glycosphingolipids on liver weight in Psammomys obesus fed a high-energy diet.

Notes: Liver weight was evaluated in all of the animals in all of the groups, and the percentage of liver weight out of total body weight was calculated. *P<0.05, **P<0.01. Data are shown as means + standard error.

Figure 4 Effect of β-glycosphingolipids on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Psammomys obesus fed a high-energy diet.

Notes: Serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in all of the animals in all of the groups, and mean levels are presented. Data are shown as means + standard error.

Abbreviation: ns, not significant.

Figure 5 Effect of β-glycosphingolipids on serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-10.

Notes: Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 were measured by ELISA in all mice in all groups. Data shown are means + standard error.

Abbreviations: ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin.