Resveratrol and (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Regulate Lipid Metabolism by Activating the AMPK Pathway in Hepatocytes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of Res and EGCG on cell growth, cellular antioxidant levels, and cellular lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. In this experiment, leghorn male hepatoma (LMH) cells were used as hepatocytes. The results showed that 6.25–25 μM Res and EGCG had no adverse effects on cell viability and growth. Meanwhile, with the increasing dosage of Res and EGCG, the contents of total cholesterol (TC), total glyceride (TG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatocytes decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while the contents of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and catalase (CAT) increased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, western blot results showed that Res and EGCG could significantly increase the expression of p-AMPK protein and reduce the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) protein in hepatocytes (p < 0.05). Moreover, q-PCR results showed that with the increase in Res and EGCG, the expression of cholesterol- and fatty acid synthesis-related genes decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Res and EGCG can increase the antioxidant capacity of hepatocytes and reduce the synthesis of TC and TG in hepatocytes by activating AMPK, thereby regulating lipid metabolism in hepatocytes.