Yinchenhao decoction alleviates high-carbohydrate diet-induced hepatic lipids deposition by strengthening lipids metabolism and transport in largemouth bass

Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine for improving hepatic metabolism disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of YCHD on lipid metabolism of juvenile largemouth bass fed on high-carbohydrate diet. Triplicate groups of fish (5.6 +/- 0.2 g) were fed six experimental diets (one low-carbohydrate diet and five high-carbohydrate diets with gradients YCHD) for 10 weeks. The results showed that appropriate YCHD administration reversed the adverse effects of high-carbohydrate diet on the growth performance. Meanwhile, YCHD decreased the depositions of hepatic T-CHO, TG and NEFA, and alleviated lipids deposition in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, as the key energy regulating element, AMPK was significantly increased by YCHD, coupled with high expression of beta-oxidation (PPAR alpha and CPT1) and lipids transport (APoB100, MTP, PNPLA7 CD36, CETP and FABP1) genes. Furthermore, PI3K-AKT pathway was prominently suppressed by YCHD, and the expression of lipids synthesis-related genes (ACCA, FAS and SCD1) was notably down-regulated. Additionally, YCHD up-regulated the expression of glycogen metabolism-related genes (GSK3 beta, PGY and GSY). In summary, our results demonstrated that YCHD promoted lipids beta-oxidation and transport, enhanced glucose metabolism and reduced lipids deposition, indicating its beneficial effects on juvenile largemouth bass fed on high-carbohydrate diet.