Silkworm (Bombyx mori) powder supplementation alleviates alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats. (April 2018) - Hong, Kyung-Sook
Graphical abstract: Highlights: SMSP has the enriched nutrients including high contents of amino acid compositions. SMSP supplementation decreases ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. SMSP increases the expression of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes. SMSP inhibits ethanol-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Abstract: Chronic alcohol consumption causes hepatic injury including fatty liver and fibrosis. Global interests in edible insects as future food source have been increased. We have previously demonstrated a new technology to make hard mature silkworm, Bombyx mori, into edible form, steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP). Here, we assessed the protective effects of SMSP on ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and lipid metabolism in rats. SMSP supplementation for 4 weeks significantly attenuated ethanol-induced fat accumulation and LDL/HDL ratio by modulating lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression such as SIRT1, AMPK, and ACC. SMSP administration also inhibited hepatic fibrosis by decreasing the levels of pro-collagen1 and α-SMA. Moreover, SMSP supplementation effectively restored total antioxidant levels and significantly reduced the levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and TNF-α. Our findings suggest that SMSP supplementation may be the promising strategy for the prevention or treatment of chronic alcoholic fatty liver disease.