Effects of traditional Chinese medicine Chaihu-Shugan-San aqueous extract on high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis in rats via intestinal microbiota metabolite SCFAs and its receptor Gpr43/109a

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in adults around China and the world. The study explores protective effect of traditional Chinese medicine Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction on high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis in rats via intestinal microbiota metabolite short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and its receptor Gpr43/109a. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of five rats each: the control group (standard diet), High-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD group (83% standard diet + 10% lard oil + 5% sucrose + 1.5% cholesterol + 0.5% cholate), and Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS)-treated group (HFD + 9.6 g/kg body weight gastric administration of CSS decoction every day). Body composition, hepatic fat, intestinal mucosal permeability and SCFAs, Gpr43 and Gpr109a expression in colonic tissues were assessed. Compared with NAFLD group, CSS decoction significantly reduced body weight, liver weight, hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol (P < 0.05), and increased colonic SCFAs and occludin expression. The levels of Gpr43 and Gpr109a also changed significantly (P < 0.05). Protective effect of CSS decoction in HFD-induced NAFLD rats might improve intestinal mucosal permeability and intestinal microbiota metabolite SCFAs through Gpr43 and Gpr109a pathways in colonic tissues.