Effects of Xiaomudan Granules on the Expressions of FXR and ApoM in Rats with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of Xiaomudan Granule in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and to observe the effect of Xiaomudan Granule on the expression of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and apolipoprotein M (ApoM)， and to explore its mechanism. METHODS A total of 60 SD rats were divided into normal group， model group， Xiaomudan Granule treatment groups (low， middle and high treatment group)， polyene phosphatidylcholine group according to body weight. Except the normal group， the remaining 50 rats were treated with high fat diet for 12 weeks to induce NAFLD rat model. After the success of the model， the corresponding drugs were given by i.g. administration. Serum lipids and liver tissue were taken after 4-week of administration. Body mass and liver wet weight of rats were measured and liver index was calculated. HE and Oil Red O staining were used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue. Serum lipids and liver function were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of FXR and ApoM in liver tissues were observed by immunohistochemistry， the mRNA expression levels of FXR and ApoM in liver tissues were detected by qPCR technology. The protein expression levels of the above-mentioned genes in liver were detected by Western blot. RESULTS After the intervention of Xiaomudan Granule， the levels of ALT， AST， TC， TG and LDL-C were significantly reduced and HDL-C was increased. The mRNA expressions of FXR and ApoM in the liver were enhanced， compared with the model group (P<0.05， P<0.01). CONCLUSION Xiaomudan Granule can regulate lipid metabolism and improve lipid deposition in NAFLD rat liver， and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of FXR and its related gene ApoM.