We have previously proven that the environmental toxin could accelerate the development and progression of
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the underlying mechanism associated with such excessive
inflammation hasn't been fully illustrated. Although
Genistein has been well accepted for its capability in anti-
inflammation and anti-oxidation, its effect in ameliorating contaminants-induced NASH still needs to be identified. In this study, using chickens and primary chicken hepatocytes as models, we found that
NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)
inflammasome were over-activated in
bromoacetic acid (BAA, one of the typical environmental toxins)-induced NASH, characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cell, and the increase of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and
cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18) expressions. Interestingly,
genistein treatment could recover these changes, with the signs of restored activities of anti-
oxidases, decreased expressions of NLRP3
inflammasome components, and increased levels of elements in phase I metabolic system. The detailed mechanism was that, via up-regulating
aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR),
genistein lifted
mRNA levels of Cyp1-related genes to reconstruct
cytochrome P450 (CYP450) systems, and the raised AHR negatively regulated NLRP3
inflammasome activity to relieve
inflammation. More important, the interaction and co-localization between AHR and NLRP3 was first proved, and
genistein could promote the levels of AHR that interacted with NLRP3, which thereafter blocked the activation of NLRP3
inflammasome. Conclusively, in this research, we confirmed the AHR-dependent protective role of
genistein in environmental toxin-linked NASH, which shed light on the potential precautions for contaminants-induced NASH.