Inhibition of Advanced Glycation Endproduct Formation by Lotus Seedpod Oligomeric Procyanidins through RAGE–MAPK Signaling and NF-κB Activation in High-Fat-Diet Rats

This study investigated the protective properties of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC) against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanism. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were fed a basic diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD plus 0.2 or 0.5% (w/w) LSOPC for 12 weeks. Administration of LSOPC markedly reduced serum and hepatic biochemical parameters and protein expression of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Additionally, 0.5% (w/w) LSOPC treatment remarkably reversed the increasing tendency of receptor of advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) to normal level. Furthermore, dietary LSOPC significantly decreased the protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and down-regulated genes involved in pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that LSOPC may protect obese rats with long-term HFD-induced NAFLD against RAGE-MAPK-NF-κB signaling suppression.