MicroRNA-185 regulates expression of lipid metabolism genes and improves insulin sensitivity in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Figure 4 Overexpression of microRNA-185 improves insulin sensitivity and reduces liver steatosis. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 wk. One half of the mice (n = 10) were injected with miR-185 (20 mg/kg body weight) and the control group (n = 10) received injections of control microRNA for 8 wk. A: ITT was performed after the last injection, and mice were submitted to 8 h fasting before intraperitoneal administration of insulin; B: Body weights were recorded weekly during the treatment period; C-E: Triglycerides, cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase levels were assessed after the last injection; F: At the end of the treatment, liver sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin stain to assess lipid accumulation (magnification × 400). Where applicable, data are mean ± SEM from three separate experiments, n = 10, ^aP < 0.05 vs the normal control group. HFD: High-fat diet.