Quercetin decreases the triglyceride content through the PPAR signalling pathway in primary hepatocytes of broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of quercetin on the triglyceride (TG) content through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signalling pathway in broiler hepatocytes. The trial included the following five groups: control, DMSO control, 5 mg/L quercetin, 10 mg/L quercetin and 20 mg/L quercetin. Compared with the control group, the PPARα protein content was significantly increased at 24 h in the groups that received quercetin at 5, 10 and 20 mg/L (p < 0.05), whereas the PPARα mRNA expression was significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, the content of the long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), liver fatty acid–binding protein (FABP) and TG in the 5-, 10- and 20-mg/L quercetin group was significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Moreover, the L-FABP and ApoA1 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, the ApoC3 protein content in the 5-mg/L quercetin group was significantly decreased at 72 h (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contents in the 5- and 20-mg/L quercetin groups were significantly decreased at 72 h (p < 0.05). In conclusion, quercetin enhanced lipid transportation and peroxidase β-oxidation regulated by PPARα and promoted lipid decomposition regulated by PPARα, but this did not occur in a dose-dependent or time-dependent manner. Therefore, quercetin decreased the TG content in broiler hepatocytes by promoting PPARα-regulated lipid decomposition, thereby reducing lipid deposition in broilers.