Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD) is a global health problem characterized by altered
lipid and redox homeostasis,
mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The
AMP-dependent
kinase (AMPK) agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (
AICAR) has been shown to improve the outcome of
NAFLD in the context of AMPK activation, yet the underlying molecular mechanism remains obscure. This study investigated the potential mechanism(s) of
AICAR to attenuate
NAFLD by exploring
AICAR's effects on the HGF/NF-κB/SNARK axis and downstream effectors as well as mitochondrial and ER derangements. High-fat diet (HFD)-fed male Wistar rats were given intraperitoneal
AICAR at 0.7 mg/g
body weight or left untreated for 8 weeks. In vitro steatosis was also examined. ELISA, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to explore
AICAR's effects.
NAFLD was confirmed by steatosis score,
dyslipidemia, altered glycemic, and redox status. HGF/NF-κB/SNARK was downregulated in HFD-fed rats receiving
AICAR with improved hepatic steatosis and reduced inflammatory
cytokines and oxidative stress. Aside from AMPK dominance,
AICAR improved hepatic
fatty acid oxidation and alleviated the ER stress response. In addition, it restored mitochondrial homeostasis by modulating
Sirtuin 2 and mitochondrial quality gene expression. Our results provide a new mechanistic insight into the prophylactic role of
AICAR in the prevention of
NAFLD and its complications.