The present study was designed to explore the beneficial mitochondrial effects and anti-oxidative activities of
plant sterol ester of α-
linolenic acid (PS-ALA) through
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in the treatment of
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD) using in vivo and in vitro models. The mitochondrial function was evaluated and the oxidative stress index was measured. The
protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and western blotting methods. The results showed that PS-ALA significantly suppressed
NAFLD and alleviated steatosis in HepG2 cells induced by
oleic acid (OA). In addition, PS-ALA promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, enhanced mitochondrial
fatty acid oxidation capacity, improved mitochondrial dynamics, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, PS-ALA reduced
reactive oxygen species production both in the liver tissue of HFD-fed mice and OA-loaded HepG2 cells. At the molecular level, PS-ALA accelerated the phosphorylation of AMPK and increased the
protein expression of
peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) and nuclear
NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Furthermore, the stimulating effects of PS-ALA on the PGC-1α/Nrf1/Tfam pathway and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway as well as its mitochondrial biogenesis promotion effects and anti-oxidative activities were abrogated by the AMPK inhibitor in OA-treated HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the protective effects of PS-ALA on
NAFLD appear to be associated with improving mitochondrial function and oxidative stress via activating AMPK signaling.