Sulfated polysaccharide from Enteromorpha prolifera increases hydrogen sulfide production and attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat diet rats

Abstract

Enteromorpha prolifera is an edible alga and previous studies have indicated that E. prolifera polysaccharide (EP) attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-fat diet rats. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has recently been found to exert many physiological effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether EP prevents NAFLD via regulation of H₂S production. EP was orally administered to high-fat diet rats for 5 weeks. Treatment with EP (200 mg per kg body weight per d) significantly increased the serum H₂S level and reduced the serum triglyceride level (p < 0.05) in rats fed a high-fat diet. These effects were similar to those observed with NaHS, a H₂S donor. Real-time PCR and western blotting analysis revealed that EP significantly upregulated hepatic mRNA and protein expression of cystathionine-β-synthase, which is the enzyme responsible for H₂S production. These results indicate that EP decreases the serum TG level by increasing H₂S production, suggesting that EP may be beneficial for the treatment of NAFLD and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.