Lipolysis-stimulating peptide-VHVV ameliorates high fat diet induced hepatocyte apoptosis and fibrosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common outcome of obesity characterized with the accumulation of triacylglycerols, increase in tissue apoptosis and fibrosis. This study was performed to determine the effect of a lipolysis stimulating peptide-VHVV to reduce the NAFLD related effects in mice liver induced by high fat diet (HFD). Five groups of mice (n = 8), control fed with standard chow; HFD-induced obese control and three treatment groups with high/moderate/low dose VHVV-treatment, were used to evaluate the effect of VHVV. HFD fed mice exhibited heavier body weight than those with control chow diet. However, the levels of triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly reduced in mice administered with low, moderate and high doses of VHVV. VHVV-administration also suppressed the HFD-induced hepatic apoptosis and fibrosis related proteins. Our results indicate that VHVV attenuate hepatic lipid accumulation and ameliorate inflammation related events in HFD fed mice to suppress apoptosis and fibrosis.