The Mechanism of Chlorogenic Acid in the Treatment of NASH by Lipomics

Abstract Chlorogenic acid is recognized for its potential hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory,and antioxidant capabilities. However, the biochemical indicators and mechanistic foundations underpinning its lipid-reduction activity have not been fully explored. In an attemptto elucidate the lipid-lowering efficacy and corresponding biomarkers of chlorogenic acid, a combined approach of lipidomics and biochemical assessment was implemented in rats suffering from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Post-intervention with chlorogenic acid, NASH-affected rats demonstrated decreased weight gain, significant improvement in hepatocyticsteatosis, and reduced triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations. Hepatic lipomics analysis shows that these effects correlated with a reduced aggregation of hepatic lipids, including Cholesteryl esters (CE), Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), Lysophosphatidylethanolamines (LPE), Phosphatidylcholines (PC), and Phosphatidylethanolamines (PE). Moreover, seven triacylglycerol (TAG) variants and three Diacylglyceryl trimethylhomoserines (DGTS) species were identified as potential biomarkers signaling chlorogenic acid's role in lipid reduction.