Effects of Qutanhuoxue Decoction on AQP7 and AQP9 Expression in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Model Rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Qutanhuoxue decoction on AQP7 and AQP9 expression in nonalcoholic fatty liver model rats. Nighty male SD rats (six weeks old, 250 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal diet group (ND group), high-fat diet (HFD group), HFD + low dose Qd group, HFD + middle dose Qd group, and HFD + high dose Qd group. Rats in ND group were fed with a regular diet, while rats in other groups were fed with high-fat diet. After the success of the molding, HFD + low dose Qd group, HFD + middle dose Qd group, and HFD + high dose Qd group were, respectively, gavaged by Qutanhuoxue decoction with concentration of 4.5g.kg−1.d−1, 9.0g.kg−1.d−1, and 18g.kg−1.d−1. The ND group and HFD group were gavaged by the same volume of physiological saline lavage, once a day. During the period of gavaging, the other four groups continue to be fed with high-fat fodder except ND group. All rats were killed at 14d, 21d, and 28d, respectively. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissues and serum level of ALT AST GGT and TC TG was detected by automatic analyzer. The expression levels of liver AQP9 mRNA and adipose tissue AQP7 mRNA were detected by real-time PCR. Quhuoxue decoction can significantly reduce the liver function (ALT, AST, and GGT) and blood fat (TG, TC) levels of NAFLD rats and reduce the degree of liver fat degeneration. The effect was the best in the HFD + high dose Qd group of 28d. Qutanhuoxue decoction can decrease the expression of liver AQP9 mRNA and increase the expression of adipose tissue AQP7 mRNA. In conclusion, Qutanhuoxue decoction can reduce the degree of hepatic steatosis, which may be closely related to the increase of AQP7 expression in adipose tissue and the decrease of AQP9 expression in liver.