Fig. 6

AMPK, PGC-1α, and PPARα activation contributed to DHM hepatoprotective action against lipotoxicity. A The mRNA levels of PGC-1α and PPARα, and B the protein expressions of AMPK、PGC-1α and PPARα were analyzed using RT-qPCR and western blot in livers of six groups of rats fed normal chow diet (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. For 24 h, HepG2 cells were treated with PA (0.5 mM) and DHM (10 μM). (C) The mRNA levels of PGC-1α and PPARα and (D) protein expressions of AMPK, PGC-1α and PPARα were analyzed using RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 vs. the Con group; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 vs. the PA group