Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Promotes Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Energy Balance in NAFLD Cell Model

Objective: To explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP) in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) cell model. Methods: Normal human hepatocyte LO2 cells were treated with 1 mmol/L free fatty acids(FFA) mixture for 24 h to induce NAFLD cell model. Cells were divided into 5 groups, including control, model, low-, medium-and high dose LBP(30,100and 300 μg/mL) groups. The monosaccharide components of LBP were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography. Effects of LBP on cell viability and intracellular lipid accumulation were assessed by cell counting Kit-8 assay and oil red O staining, respectively. Triglyceride(TG), alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST), adenosine triphosphate(ATP) and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated.Energy balance and mitochondrial biogenesis related mRNA and proteins were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Results: Heteropolysaccharides with mannose and glucose are the main components of LBP. LBP treatment significantly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation as well as TG, ALT, AST and malondialdehyde levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01), increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and ATP in NAFLD cell model(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of uncoupling protein 2 was down-regulated and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α/nuclear respiratory factor 1/mitochondrial transcription factor A pathway was up-regulated(P<0.05). Conclusion: LBP promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and improves energy balance in NAFLD cell model.