Brown fat activation mitigates alcohol-induced liver steatosis and injury in mice
Hong Shen, Lin Jiang, Jiandie D. Lin, M. Bishr Omary, Liangyou Rui
Hong Shen, Lin Jiang, Jiandie D. Lin, M. Bishr Omary, Liangyou Rui
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Research Article Hepatology

Brown fat activation mitigates alcohol-induced liver steatosis and injury in mice

Abstract

Chronic alcohol consumption causes liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis, thereby increasing morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, modest drinking is believed to confer metabolic improvement, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we have identified a hepatoprotective brain/brown adipose tissue (BAT)/liver axis. Alcohol consumption or direct alcohol administration into the brain stimulated hypothalamic neural circuits and sympathetic nerves innervating BAT and dramatically increased BAT uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression and activity in a BAT-sympathetic nerve-dependent manner. BAT and beige fat oxidized fatty acids to fuel Ucp1-mediated thermogenesis, thereby inhibiting lipid trafficking into the liver. BAT also secreted several adipokines, including adiponectin, which suppressed hepatocyte injury and death. Genetic deletion of Ucp1 profoundly augmented alcohol-induced liver steatosis, injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in male and female mice. Conversely, activation of BAT and beige fat through cold exposure suppressed alcoholic liver disease development. Our results unravel an unrecognized brain alcohol-sensing/sympathetic nerve/BAT/liver axis that counteracts liver steatosis and injury.

Authors

Hong Shen, Lin Jiang, Jiandie D. Lin, M. Bishr Omary, Liangyou Rui

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Figure 3

Ucp1–/– mice develop fatal hypothermia and hepatitis in response to binge drinking.

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Ucp1–/– mice develop fatal hypothermia and hepatitis in response to bin...
Male mice were treated with binge alcohol, and livers were harvested 24 to 36 hours later. (A) Survival rates (n = 9 per group). (B) Rectal temperature (n = 4 per group). (C) Plasma ALT activity (n = 5 per group). (D) Liver TAG levels (normalized to liver weight, n = 5 mice per group). (E) Liver ROS levels (normalized to liver weight, n = 5 mice per group). (F, G) Liver sections were stained with the indicated reagents. Positive signals were quantified (n = 3–4 mice per group). Scale bars: 200 μm. (H) Liver gene expression (normalized 18S levels, n = 5 mice per group). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, 2-tailed unpaired Student’s t test.