Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Planch) alleviates metabolic-associated fatty liver disease through regulating gut flora and lipid metabolism via the FXR/LXR signaling pathway

Abstract

The increased consumption of dietary fats contributes to the development of MAFLD (metabolic fatty liver disease). The ability of broccoli to enhance lipid metabolism has attracted researchers’ attention. Researchers fed C57BL/6 mice a 12-week HFD to ensure the induction of MAFLD. The findings indicated that broccoli floret juice could effectively relieve MAFLD. Broccoli is helpful for reducing weight, blood glucose levels, fat accumulation, and insulin resistance associated with MAFLD and reduces the concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-C, GOT, GPT, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL₄, and MCP1. Broccoli can increase the concentration of HDL-C, CAT, GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC, relieve inflammation and hepatic and ileum damage, and improve the antioxidant capacity of the body. Also, broccoli can optimize the structure of intestinal flora, promote the growth of Allobaculum, Muribaculaceae, Akkermansia, Eubacterium, and Bacteroides, and reduce bile acid deposition. In addition, the FXR/LXRα signaling system is impacted by broccoli, which is capable of raising the average levels of expression of the Fxr, SHP, and Cyp7a1 genes and proteins and reducing those of the genes for Fasn, Lpin 1, Dgat 2, Scd1, LXRα, and SREBP-1c.