Histidine and carnosine alleviated hepatic steatosis in mice consumed high saturated fat diet

The effects of histidine, alanine and carnosine on activity and/or mRNA expression of lipogenic enzymes and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) in liver and adipose tissue from high fat diet treated mice were examined. Histidine, alanine or carnosine, each agent at 1 g/l was added into drinking water for 8-wk supplement. Histidine or carnosine supplement increased hepatic levels of alanine, histidine and carnosine. High fat diet evoked lipogenesis via raising the activity and mRNA expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, SREBP-1a, -1c and -2 in liver and adipose tissue (P < 0.05), which consequently increased mice body weight, epididymal fat, and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol contents (P < 0.05). The intake of histidine or carnosine significantly diminished the activity and mRNA expression of malic enzyme, FAS, HMG-CoA reductase, SREBP-1c and SREBP-2, which led to lower body weight, epididymal fat, and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels (P < 0.05). Mice consumed high fat diet exhibited hyper-insulinemia, hyper-leptinemia, hypo-adiponectinemia and hypo-ghrelinemia. Histidine or carnosine treatments significantly improved insulin sensitivity and attenuated hyper-insulinemia (P < 0.05). These results support that histidine and carnosine are effective agents for mitigating high fat diet induced hepatic steatosis.