The protective effects of LXR and its target genes COX-2 and CETP on liver tissues of young obese OSAHS rats
- VernacularTitle:LXR及其靶基因COX-2和CETP在肥胖OSAHS幼鼠肝组织中的保护作用
- Author:
Mingyu LAI
1
;
Xinhua YE
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: liver X receptor (LXR); obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS); obesity; young rat; protective effect
- From: Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(6):895-901
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: [Objective] To illuminate that the high expressions of liver X receptor (LXR), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) are protective factors in the pathogenesis of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), in order to provide basic information for the prevention and treatment of obesity in children with OSAHS. [Methods] A total of 24 young rats aged 3-4 weeks were randomly divided into normal control group, obesity group, OSAHS group, and obesity and OSAHS group. We used hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the histopathological changes in the liver of the young rats, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to test the expression levels and distribution of LXRα, COX-2, and CETP in liver tissues of the rats. [Results] The body weight, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) content of the rats in obesity group and obesity+ OSAHS group were significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P<0.05), and the oxygen saturation of the rats in OSAHS group and obesity+ OSAHS group was significantly decreased compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The liver tissue had significant damage in obesity group, OSAHS group and obesity+ OSAHS group compared with that in the normal control group, and obesity+ OSAHS group had the most severe liver tissue damage. The expression levels of LXRα, COX-2, and CETP were significantly higher in the liver tissues of young rats in OSAHS group and obesity group compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of LXRα, COX-2, and CETP were significantly higher in the liver tissues of young rats in obesity+ OSAHS group compared with those in the other groups (P<0.05). [Conclusion] LXR and its target genes COX-2 and CETP are highly expressed in the liver tissues of obese OSAHS rats and are possible protective factors in the pathogenesis of obesity and OSAHS.
