Maltitol Prevents the Progression of Fatty Liver Degeneration in Mice Fed High-Fat Diets

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, ultimately leading to cirrhosis and liver Cancer. It is important to prevent this progression during the initial stages of hepatic fatty degeneration. Maltitol is a polyol produced by the hydrogenation of maltose. We investigated the efficacy of maltitol for treating hepatic fatty degeneration in C57BL/6 male mice using a high-fat diet model. Intake of 5.0% maltitol for 8 weeks significantly suppressed weight gain, hepatic fatty degeneration, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia. With maltitol intake, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) mRNA expression was significantly decreased, and farnesoid X receptor (FXR), Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α (PPARα), and hydroxymethylglutaryl-Co reductase expressions were significantly higher in the liver. The increase in SREBP1c and suppression of FXR and PPARα expressions are correlated with NAFLD. Our results suggest that maltitol may prevent steatosis of NAFLD with a high-fat diet.

FXR; PPARα; SREBP1c; hepatic fatty degeneration; maltitol; polyol.