Fig. 5

DHM induced autophagy in HFD-induced rats and palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells. A The mRNA levels and B The protein expressions of autophagy indicators were assessed by the use of both RT-qPCR and western blot techniques. This analysis was conducted on the livers of six distinct groups of rats that were provided with a NC, HFD, HFD with DHM (DHM-L, DHM-M, DHM-H), and HFD with metformin (MET), respectively (n = 3). ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 vs. the NC group; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 vs. the HFD group. C Images of autophagic vacuoles in the liver obtained using electron microscopy. Autolysosomes are shown by arrows. For 24 h, HepG2 cells were treated with PA (0.5 mM) and DHM (10 uM). D The mRNA levels and protein expressions of autophagy markers were assessed using RT-qPCR and western blot techniques, respectively. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 vs. the Con group; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 vs. the PA group