Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Coptidis medicinal couplet alleviates hepatic fat deposition in rats with impaired glucose tolerance via the Keap1/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway

Key Points

• The study aims to explore how the Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Coptidis couple influences liver fat deposition via the Keap1/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway in rats with impaired glucose tolerance.
• Used male Wistar rats on a high-fat, high-sugar diet to create an impaired glucose tolerance model.
• Divided rats into three groups: control, Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Coptidis treated, and metformin treated.
• Administered interventions for four weeks and assessed general condition, blood glucose, and liver morphology.
• Measured protein and mRNA levels of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4 in liver tissues using immunofluorescence and qPCR.
• The herbal treatment significantly reduced blood glucose levels during the OGTT in the treated group (P<0.05).
• It decreased liver fat vacuolation and downregulated Keap1 protein and mRNA expression.
• Nrf2 protein levels increased, along with the mRNA levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and HO-1, all statistically significant (P<0.05).