• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.159-166
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• 2005

Ginsenosides, a group of Panax ginseng saponins, exert the lowering effects of plasma cholesterol levels in animals. We had reported earlier that ginsenoside Rb2 upregulate low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression via a mechanism that is dependent of the activation of sterol response element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) expression. This study was conducted to determine the effects of ginsenoside Rb2 on the expression of the hepatic LDLR expression at cellular levels using HepG2 cells, and to evaluate whether the sterol response element binding protein 1 (SREBP-l) was involved in the regulation of LDLR expression. Incubation of HepG2 cells in serum-free medium supplemented with cholesterol $(10{\mu}g/ml)$ for 8 hours decreased the mRNAs of LDLR mRNA by $12\%$ and SREBP-l mRNA by $35\%$. Ginsenoside Rb2 antagonized the repressive effects of cholesterol and increased both LDLR and SREBP-l mRNA expression to 1.5- and 2-fold, respectively. Furthermore, Western blot and confocal microscopic analyses with SREBP-l polyclonal antibody revealed that ginsenoside Rb2 enhanced the maturation of the SREBP-1 from the inactive precursor form in ER membrane to the active transcription factor form in nucleus. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rb2 upregulates LDLR expression via a mechanism that is dependent of the activation of not only SREBP-2 expression, but also SREBP-1 expression and maturation, and also indicate that the pharmacological value of ginsenoside Rb2 may be distinguished from that of lovastatin which is reported that it upregulate LDLR through SREBP-2 only, not through SREBP-1.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2022

The differentiation and development of preadipocyte into mature adipocyte are regulated by transcription factors, such as CCAAT enhancer binding protein (Cebp) gene family and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp1). Steroid hormones give influences on the development and function of adipocyte. The present research examined expression patterns of CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (Cebpa), CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (Cebpb), CCAAT enhancer binding protein gamma (Cebpg), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp1), androgen receptor (Ar), and estrogen receptors (Esr) among different epididymal fat parts during postnatal period by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the distal epididymal fat, expression of Cebpa, Cebpb, Cebpg, Srebp1, Ar, and Esr2 was increased until 12 months of age, while expression of Esr1 was decreased at 5 months of age and was not detectable after 8 months of age. In the proximal epididymal fat, transcript levels of Cebps and Srebp1 were increased at 8 months of age, followed by decreases of Cebpb and Cebpg transcript levels at 12 months of age. An additional increase of Srebp1 expression was observed at 12 months of age. Expression of Ar and Esr2 were increased until 8 months of age, followed by a drop of Ar expression level at 12 months of age. Expression pattern of Esr1 was similar to that in the distal epididymal fat. In the tail epididymal fat, expression of Cebpa, Cebpg, Srebp1, Ar, and Esr2 was increased with age. Esr1 was not detectable at all. The highest level of Cebpb was observed at 8 months of age. These data suggest the possibility of developmental and functional differentiation among the epididymal fat parts.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2017

Lipin1 was identified as a phosphatidate phosphatase enzyme, and it plays a key role in lipid metabolism. Since free radicals contribute to metabolic diseases in the liver, this study investigated the effects of free radicals on the regulation of Lipin1 expression in Huh7 and AML12 cells. Hydrogen peroxide induced mRNA and protein expression of Lipin1 in Huh7 cells, which was assayed by quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Induction of Lipin1 by hydrogen peroxide was confirmed in AML12 cells. Hydrogen peroxide treatment significantly increased expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-2, but not SREBP-1. Moreover, nuclear translocation of SREBP-2 was detected after hydrogen peroxide treatment. Hydrogen peroxide-induced Lipin1 or SREBP-2 expression was significantly reduced by N-acetyl-$\small{L}$-cysteine treatment, indicating that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were implicated in Lipin1 expression. Next, we investigated whether the hypoxic environments that cause endogenous ROS production in mitochondria in metabolic diseases affect the expression of Lipin1. Exposure to hypoxia also increased Lipin1 expression. In contrast, pretreatment with antioxidants attenuated hypoxia-induced Lipin1 expression. Collectively, our results show that ROS activate SREBP-2, which induces Lipin1 expression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2015

Alcohol-induced fatty liver (steatosis) results from excessive generation of reducing equivalents by ethanol metabolism. Generally, chronic ethanol treatment causes hepatosteatosis by regulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), which increases the synthesis of hepatic lipids. The effect of ethanol on SREBP-1c is mediated through mammalian sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase that regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. Ginseng is a widely used herbal medicine that is used in Asia for its anti-diabetes and anti-obesity effects. The pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng are primarily produced by bioactive constituents known as ginsenosides. Here, we examined the regulatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on SREBP-1c and SIRT-1 on lipid homeostasis in AML-12 mouse hepatocytes. AML-12 cells were treated with ethanol and/or KRG extracts (0 - 1,000 μg/ml). Lipid droplets were assayed using Oil red O staining, and western blotting was used to measure SIRT-1 and SREBP-1 expression. Treatment with KRG extracts restored SIRT-1 expression and reduced SREBP-1c expression in ethanol-treated cells. We also showed that KRG extract and ginsenosides Rb₂ and Rd significantly decreased SREBP-1 acetylation in ethanol-treated cells. These results show that treatment with KRG extract and its active ginsenoside constituents Rb₂ and Rd protected against alcohol-related hepatosteatosis via regulation of SIRT-1 and downstream acetylation of SREBP-1c, which altered hepatic lipid metabolism.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2022

Objectives : Brain-Liver axis is an important target of the chronic human diseases. Hepatic steatosis is one of the most famous disorders in the chronic diseases. This study investigated the moderating effect of beneficial herbs on the fat accumulation, which is mediated by the LXR alpha-SREBP-1c signaling pathway. Methods : In order to confirm the SREBP-1c inhibitory effect, we performed immonoblotting ananlysis using HepG2 cells and Huh 7 cells treated by T0901317, the ligand of LXRα. Results : Forsythiae suspensa water extract (FSE) was not cytotoxicity in cell lines. FSE inhibited SREBP-1c protein expression in HepG2 and Huh7 cells induced by T0901317. In addition, FSE increased the phosphorylation of LKB1, which is associated with LXR-related pathway in HepG2 and Huh 7 cells. Conclusions : These results showed that FSE activated LKB1 to suppress SREBP-1c, which protects the cells against oxidative stress.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.207-212
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• 2013

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of caffeine on lipid accumulation in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Significant decreases in the accumulation of hepatic lipids, such as triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol were observed when HepG2 cells were treated with caffeine as indicated. Caffeine decreased the mRNA level of lipogenesis-associated genes (SREBP1c, SREBP2, FAS, SCD1, HMGR and LDLR). In contrast, mRNA level of CD36, which is responsible for lipid uptake and catabolism, was increased. Next, the effect of caffeine on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway was examined. Phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were evidently increased when the cells were treated with caffeine as indicated for 24 h. These effects were all reversed in the presence of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. In summary, these data indicate that caffeine effectively depleted TG and cholesterol levels by inhibition of lipogenesis and stimulation of lipolysis through modulating AMPK-SREBP signaling pathways.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated in vitro inhibitory activity of wild-simulated ginseng (WSG) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using HepG-2 cells. T0901317 treatment increased the lipid accumulation in HepG-2 cells, but WSG treatment inhibited T0901317-mediated lipid accumulation. In addition, WSG downregulated T0901317-mediated expression of SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS and SCD-1 protein. In addition, WSG increased the phosphorylation level of LKB1 and AMPK. Compound C treatment blocked WSG-mediated downregulation of SREBP-1c protein. In conclusion, WSG is considered to inhibit the accumulation of lipids and triglycerides in HepG-2 cells by inducing the activation of LKB1 and AMPK successively, thereby reducing the expression of FAS, ACC, and SCD-1 through suppression of SREBP-1c expression.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated in vitro inhibitory activity of wild-simulated ginseng (WSG) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using HepG-2 cells. T0901317 treatment increased the lipid accumulation in HepG-2 cells, but WSG treatment inhibited T0901317-mediated lipid accumulation. In addition, WSG downregulated T0901317-mediated expression of SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS and SCD-1 protein. In addition, WSG increased the phosphorylation level of LKB1 and AMPK. Compound C treatment blocked WSG-mediated downregulation of SREBP-1c protein. In conclusion, WSG is considered to inhibit the accumulation of lipids and triglycerides in HepG-2 cells by inducing the activation of LKB1 and AMPK successively, thereby reducing the expression of FAS, ACC, and SCD-1 through suppression of SREBP-1c expression.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2010

The present study investigated whether the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway is involved in the regulation of high glucose-induced intramuscular adipogenesis in porcine muscle satellite cells. High glucose (25 mM) dramatically increased intracellular lipid accumulation in cells during the 10-day adipogenic differentiation period. The expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-$\alpha$ (C/EBP-$\alpha$) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) protein were gradually enhanced during the 10-day duration while mTOR phosphorylation and sterol-regulatory- element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c protein were induced on day 4. Moreover, inhibition of mTOR activity by rapamycin resulted in a reduction of SREBP-1c protein expression and adipogenesis in cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that the adipogenic differentiation of porcine muscle satellite cells and a succeeding extensive adipogenesis, which is triggered by high glucose, is initiated by the mTOR signal pathway through the activation of SREBP-1c protein. This process is previously uncharacterized and suggests a cellular mechanism may be involved in ectopic lipid deposition in skeletal muscle during type 2 diabetes.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.200-206
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• 2020

The ability of the total extract from Physalis angulata; three fractions after partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (TBE), and water; and four withanolides (compounds 1 - 4) to phosphorylate 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in HepG2 cells was evaluated. The TBE fraction (50 ㎍/mL) activated p-ACC and p-AMPK expression most strongly. Compounds 1 - 4 (10 μM) upregulated p-ACC expression at different levels. Compound 4 induced the most significant changes in p-AMPK expression, followed by 1 and 2. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play a functional role in the transcriptional regulation of the lipogenic pathway, including fatty acid synthase (FAS) and ACC. The effects of compounds 2 and 4 (10 μM) on FAS and SREBP-1c expression under high glucose conditions (30 mM) in HepG2 cells were evaluated further. Both dose-dependently inhibited FAS and SREBP-1c expression as well as lipid accumulation (1 - 10 μM) were compared to high-concentration glucose control, which upregulated FAS and SREBP-1c. These results suggest that compounds 2 and 4 upregulate AMPK, suppress FAS and SREBP-1c, and have potential effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.