Helicobacter pylori infection aggravates diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver in mice

摘要

BackgroundPrevious epidemiological studies have suggested a link betweenHelicobacter pylori(H.?pylori) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), yet animal studies are lacking to elucidate this association. In this study, we evaluated the potential effects ofH.?pyloriinfection on NAFLD in mice. MethodsWe first established two strains ofH.?pyloriinfected mice model with either chow diet or high fat diet (HFD). The body and liver weight, blood glucose, serum transaminases and lipid levels and markers of hepatic inflammation were measured. Histological analyses were also performed on liver tissue. Expressions of fat synthesis genes as well as insulin signaling proteins were also determined. ResultsAfter 24 weeks of treatment, the abdominal circumference, fasting blood glucose, low-density cholesterol and alanine transaminase were significantly increased in HFD feeding mice infected withH.?pyloriSS1 compared to HFD controls. Moreover, HFD fed mice infected withH.?pyloriSS1 showed significantly more liver steatosis.H.?pyloriSS1 infection inhibited phosphorylation of IRS1 and Akt and trended to increase the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the liver. ConclusionH.?pyloriinfection is associated with NAFLD in C57BL/6 mice which depends on the bacterial strain and diet structure. The infection ofH.?pyloriSS1 instead of NCTC11637 in combination with HFD induced more severe liver steatosis.H.?pyloriinfection may play a role in NAFLD development and further studies are needed to determine whetherH.?pylorieradication can improve NAFLD risk.