PD357 - FREE VS. NANO-BERBERINE: EFFECTS ON HEPATIC GENE EXPRESSION IN MICE

PD357

FREE VS. NANO-BERBERINE: EFFECTS ON HEPATIC GENE EXPRESSION IN MICE

A. Alpaslan^1,*, K. Uçar Baş², Z. Göktaş³

¹Akdeniz University, Antalya, ²Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, Osmaniye, ³Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye

Rationale: Berberine (BBR) has been suggested to improve hepatic steatosis and inflammation; however, its low bioavailability limits its efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nano-encapsulated berberine (nano-BBR) on hepatic gene expression in a high-fat diet-induced mouse model.

Methods: Forty-eight female C57BL/6J mice were divided into prevention and recovery groups. The prevention group received high-fat diet (60% energy from fat) with treatment for 10 weeks, while the recovery group received high-fat diet for 10 weeks followed by 10 weeks of treatment alongside the diet. Mice were assigned to free-BBR (10 µM), nano-BBR (10 µM), void, and control (PBS) groups. Liver gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Relative expression was calculated using the 2^-ΔΔCt method.

Results: TNF-α expression showed a modest increase in the free-BBR group compared to nano-BBR, void, and control groups. Similarly, IL-6 expression was elevated in all treatment groups, with the highest levels observed in free-BBR. For lipid metabolism markers, FXR expression demonstrated a slight increase in both nano-BBR and free-BBR groups relative to control. SREBP-1c expression was elevated across all treatment groups, with relatively higher levels in nano-BBR compared to free-BBR. Despite these trends, none of the differences reached statistical significance (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, nano-berberine may modulate hepatic gene expression related to lipid metabolism. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared