Inhibition of Advanced Glycation Endproduct Formation by Lotus Seedpod Oligomeric Procyanidins through RAGE–MAPK Signaling and NF-κB Activation in High-Fat-Diet Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the protective properties of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC) against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanism. Sprague–Dawley (SD) male rats were fed a basic diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD plus 0.2 or 0.5% (w/w) LSOPC for 12 weeks. Administration of LSOPC markedly reduced serum and hepatic biochemical parameters and protein expression of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Additionally, 0.5% (w/w) LSOPC treatment remarkably reversed the increasing tendency of receptor of advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) to normal level. Furthermore, dietary LSOPC significantly decreased the protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and down-regulated genes involved in pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that LSOPC may protect obese rats with long-term HFD-induced NAFLD against RAGE-MAPK-NF-κB signaling suppression.