AUTHOR=Zhang Dan , Xu Yongfang , Chen Hang , Wang Da , Geng Zuotao , Chen Yuanli , Chen Yan , Xiong Di , Yang Rongna , Liu Xiaoting , Zhang Yuke , Xiang Ping , Ma Lanqing , Liu Jianjun TITLE=Fagopyrum dibotrys extract alleviates hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, and alters autophagy and gut microbiota diversity in mouse models of high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.993501 DOI=10.3389/fnut.2022.993501 ISSN=2296-861X ABSTRACT=

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major global health concern with increasing prevalence, with a lack of currently available effective treatment options; thus, the investigation of novel therapeutic approaches is necessary. The study aimed to investigate the outcomes and mechanisms of action of Fagopyrum dibotrys extract (FDE) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model of obesity. The findings showed that FDE supplementation attenuated glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR), hepatic steatosis, and abnormal lipid metabolism. In addition, FDE also promoted autophagic activity and inhibited the phosphorylation of transcription factor EB in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, gut microbiota characterization via 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the supplementation of FDE increased Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia populations while decreased Firmicutes, thus modifying the gut microbiome. FDE also increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia. Our findings suggest that FDE may protect against HFD-induced NAFLD by activating autophagy and alleviating dysbiosis in the gut microbiome. FDE may be beneficial as a nutraceutical treatment for NAFLD.