Isoflavones as a smart curer for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and pathological adiposity via ChREBP and Wnt signaling

ObjectiveNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and pathological adiposity has emerged as an important modern disease. Along with this, the requirement for alternative and natural medicine for preventing NAFLD and adiposity has been increasing rapidly and considerably. In this report, we will review the biological effect and mechanisms of soy isoflavones on NAFLD and pathologic adiposity mainly through the novel pathways, de novo lipogenic carbohydrate responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) and anti-adipogenic Wnt signaling.MethodsThis paper reviews in vitro and in vivo isoflavone studies published in 2002 to 2011 in North America and East Asia.ResultsCollectively, the data support a beneficial relation of isoflavones and NAFLD and/or adiposity. Isoflavones suppress ChREBP signaling via protein kinase A (PKA) and/or 5′-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent phosphorylation, which prevents ChREBP from binding to the promoter regions of lipogenic enzyme. Furthermore, isoflavones directly stimulate Wnt signaling via estrogen receptors-dependent pathway, which inactivates glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), transactivate T-cell factor/lymphoid-enhancer factor (TCF/LEF), the effector of Wnt signaling, degrade adipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), augment p300/CBP, the transcriptional co-activators of TCF/LEF.ConclusionsNatural compound isoflavones may be useful alternative medicines in preventing NAFLD and pathological adiposity and this action may be partially associated with ChREBP and Wnt signaling.

► Isoflavone directly inhibits NAFLD via de novo hepatic lipogenic ChREBP signaling.
► Pathological adiposity aggravates NAFLD by an excess supply of fatty acids.
► Isoflavone suppress adiposity by activating anti-adipogenic Wnt signaling.