Nicotinic alpha-7 acetylcholine receptor deficiency exacerbates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

ABSTRACT:

Aims/introduction

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which occurs in association with insulin resistance and hepatic fat accumulation, is characterized by chronic liver injury and fibrosis. NASH onset and progression is closely related to hepatic inflammation, which is partly regulated by the vagus nerve through the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR). Hepatic α7nAchR action is impeded in obesity and insulin resistance. In the present study, using α7nAchR knockout (α7KO) mice, we elucidated the effect of α7nAchR deficiency on NASH-related inflammation and fibrosis.

Materials and methods

α7KO mice were fed an atherogenic high-fat diet (AD) for 32 weeks or methionine/choline-deficient diet (MCD) for 6 weeks, both of which induce NASH. Mice were then examined for t

SUBMITTER: Kimura K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6497582 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature