Abstract:Objective To explore the role and potential mechanism of GH/IGF1 axis in lipid metabolism of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Cellular model of NAFLD in L02 cells was established by co-incubation of free fat acid (FFA). mRNA and protein levels of GHR, IGF1 and IGFBP3 were measured by qPCR and ELISA. Cells were treated with rhGH (25 ng/ml, 250 ng/ml) or rhIGF1 (50 ng/ml, 500 ng/ml). Cells in control group received no insults. Expression of FASN, SREBP-1C, PPAR-γ, GHR, IGF1, and IGFBP3 were identified. Results Treatment with FFA for 24 hours induced a significant increase of GHR and decrease of IGFBP3 when compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). Treatment with FFA for 48 hours induced a significant decrease of IGF1 and IGFBP3 comparing with those in control group (P < 0.05). Cells co-cultured with rhGH (25 ng/ml, 250 ng/ml) or rhIGF (150 ng/ml, 500 ng/ml) for 24 hours experienced a dramatic increase in TG, GHR, IGF1, and IGFBP3 and an obvious decrease in PPAR-γ when compared with those in NAFLD group (P < 0.05). Co-culture of cells with rhGH (25 ng/ml, 250 ng/ml) or rhIGF (150 ng/ml, 500 ng/ml) for 48 hours induced decrease of TAG comparing with NAFLD group (P < 0.05). Conclusions GH/IGF1 axis is involved in mediating lipid metabolism probably through PPAR-γ signaling pathway.