Fig. 8: Therapeutic effects of Trim31 on HFHF-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in vivo.

a, b Records for liver weight, the ratio of liver weight/body weight (a) and time-course changes of body weight in THTG and NTG mice (b) after a 16-week HFHF administration (n = 17 mice per group) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups, ns., no significant difference). c Liver lipid contents including TG, TC, and NEFA of the indicated mice after 16-week HFHF ingestion (n = 17 mice per group) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups). d Representative pictures for Oil red O staining and H&E staining-indicated liver histopathologic changes of a 16-week HFHF-fed THTG and NTG mice (magnification, ×100; n = 10 images per group for each staining) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups). e qPCR analysis of the relative mRNA expression of genes in the livers associated with fatty acid metabolism after a 16-week HFHF administration (n = 10 liver samples per group) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups). f Immunohistochemistry staining of F4/80 analysis showing the histopathologic changes of the liver samples in indicated mice (magnification, ×200; n = 10 images per group for each staining) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups). g qPCR analysis of the relative mRNA expression of genes in the livers associated with inflammation after a 16-weeks HFHF administration (n = 10 liver samples per group) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups). h Representative pictures for Sirius red staining and Masson staining showing the collagen deposition levels of the liver samples in indicated mice (magnification, ×100; n = 10 images per group for each staining). i, j qPCR analysis of the relative mRNA expression of genes in the livers associated with collagen synthesis after a 16-weeks HFHF administration (i) (n = 10 liver samples per group); and hepatic function indicator AST, ALT, and AKP levels in the 16-week HFHF-fed THTG and NTG mice (j) (n = 17 mice per group) (**P < 0.01 vs. NTG HFHF groups). k Schematic diagram showing the molecular mechanism underlying Trim31-mediated Rhbdf2 degradation and protective effects in the development and progression of NASH. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. The relevant experiments presented in this part were performed independently at least three times. Significance determined by Student’s two-tailed t test analysis.