Effects of riboflavin deficiency and high dietary fat on hepatic lipid accumulation: a synergetic action in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver. Riboflavin, one of water soluble vitamins, plays a role in lipid metabolism and antioxidant function. However, the effects of riboflavin deficiency on NAFLD development have not yet to be fully explored. Methods In the present study, an animal model of NAFLD was induced by high fat diet feeding in mice and a cellular model of NAFLD was developed in HepG2 cells by palmitic acid (PA) exposure. The effects of riboflavin deficiency on lipid metabolism and antioxidant function were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the possible role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) was studied in HepG2 cells using gene silencing technique. Results The results showed that riboflavin deficiency led to hepatic lipid accumulation in mice fed high fat diet. The expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) were up-regulated, whereas that of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) down-regulated. Similar changes in response to riboflavin deficiency were demonstrated in HepG2 cells treated with PA. Factorial analysis revealed a significant interaction between riboflavin deficiency and high dietary fat or PA load in the development of NAFLD. Hepatic PPARγ expression was significantly upregulated in mice fed riboflavin deficient and high fat diet or in HepG2 cells treated with riboflavin deficiency and PA load. Knockdown of PPARγ gene resulted in a significant reduction of lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells exposed to riboflavin deficiency and PA load. Conclusions There is a synergetic action between riboflavin deficiency and high dietary fat on the development of NAFLD, in which PPARγ may play an important role.