Reduced Branched-Chain Amino Acid Intake Improved High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease in Mice

Objective To explore the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) and its possible mechanism in high-fat diet (HFD) induced mice. Materials and Methods Pancreatic morphology and lipid infiltration was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry, and lipid levels in the pancreas were determined using colorimetric enzymatic method. Relevant mechanism was investigated using western blotting and biochemical test. Results In HFD-fed mice, dietary BCAAs restriction could attenuate body weight increase, improve glucose metabolism, and reduce excessive lipid accumulation in the pancreas. Furthermore, expression of AMPKα and downstream uncoupling protein 1 were upregulated, while genes related to mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signal pathway and lipid de novo synthesis were suppressed in HFD-BCAA restriction group compared with HFD and HFD-high BCAAs fed mice. In addition, BCAA restriction upregulated expression of BCAAs related metabolic enzymes including PPM1K and BCKDHA, and decreased the levels of BCAAs and branched chain keto acid in the pancreas. However, there was no difference in levels of lipid content in the pancreas and gene expression of AMPKα and mTORC1 between HFD and HFD-high BCAAs groups. Conclusions Branched-chain amino acid restriction ameliorated HFD-induced NAFPD in mice by activation of AMPKα pathway and suppression of mTORC1 pathway.