Yu Cindy H J, Rupasinghe H P Vasantha
Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025 Sep 1;777:152300. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152300. Epub 2025 Jul 4.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a major chronic liver disease with close ties to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. It is characterized by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation in the absence of alcohol abuse or other liver complications. Dysregulated lipid metabolism in MASLD disrupts redox balance, leading to oxidative damage and inflammation. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a major cellular energy regulator that controls the balance between lipid synthesis and breakdown among other functions. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of cellular redox balance by promoting the transcription of antioxidant genes. This review summarized MASLD pathogenesis, the roles of AMPK and Nrf2 in the context of MASLD and discussed the current knowledge on the phytochemical-mediated mechanisms of AMPK and Nrf2 interaction in MASLD management through mitigating lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Mechanisms include direct AMPK activation of Nrf2 and indirect preservation of Nrf2 by AMPK-mediated interference of negative Nrf2 regulators (Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK3β)). Therapeutic potential of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, saponins, alkaloids, phytosterol esters and polysaccharides have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Future studies on clinical applications are needed.
代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝病(MASLD)是一种主要的慢性肝病,与肥胖、胰岛素抵抗和代谢综合征密切相关。其特征是在没有酒精滥用或其他肝脏并发症的情况下肝脏脂质过度蓄积。MASLD中脂质代谢失调会破坏氧化还原平衡,导致氧化损伤和炎症。AMP激活的蛋白激酶(AMPK)是一种主要的细胞能量调节因子,除其他功能外,还控制脂质合成与分解之间的平衡。核红细胞2相关因子2(Nrf2)是细胞氧化还原平衡的主要调节因子,可促进抗氧化基因的转录。本综述总结了MASLD的发病机制、AMPK和Nrf2在MASLD中的作用,并讨论了目前关于植物化学物质通过减轻脂质失调、氧化应激和炎症来介导AMPK和Nrf2相互作用以管理MASLD的机制的知识。机制包括AMPK直接激活Nrf2以及通过AMPK介导的对Nrf2负调节因子(kelch样ECH相关蛋白1(Keap1)和糖原合酶激酶3β(GSK3β))的干扰间接保护Nrf2。多酚、类胡萝卜素、皂苷、生物碱、植物甾醇酯和多糖等植物化学物质的治疗潜力已在体外和体内得到证实。需要进一步开展关于临床应用的研究。