To investigate the effects of pachymic acid (Pac) on cholesterol metabolism in a gallstone (GS) model and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
A mouse model of GS was established by feeding a high-fat diet. Fifty healthy SPF male mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control group (fed a normal diet), model group (gallstone model), experimental-L group (model + 25 mg·kg-1 Pac), experimental-H group (model+50 mg·kg-1 Pac), and inhibitor group (model + 50 mg·kg-1 Pac + 1 mg·kg-1 GW9662). Gallstone grades were determined based on macroscopic cholesterol crystals or stones observed in bile. The expression of proteins in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)/liver X receptor α (LXRα) pathway was detected by Western blot.
The gallstone grades in the control, model, experimental-L, experimental-H, and inhibitor groups were (0±0), (4.70±0.46), (3.70±0.64), (1.10±0.70), and (3.20±0.60) grades, respectively; The relative expression levels of PPARγ protein were 1.41±0.13, 0.32±0.02, 0.48±0.05, 1.39±0.15, and 0.80±0.07, respectively; The relative expression levels of LXRα protein were 0.99±0.07, 0.33±0.03, 0.42±0.02, 1.00±0.09, and 0.73±0.05, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the model group with the control, experimental-L, and experimental-H groups, as well as when comparing the inhibitor group with the experimental-H group (all P<0.05).
Pachymic acid effectively prevents high-fat diet-induced cholesterol gallstone formation in mice. Its protective mechanism is associated with the activation of the PPARγ/LXRα signaling pathway, leading to the restoration of cholesterol metabolic homeostasis.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |