Improvement of NAFLD by rice and elucidation of its molecular mechanism: An approach from ceramide metabolism

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13829
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Komazawa Women's University (2021-2023); Tokyo University of Agriculture (2020)
• Principal Investigator: MATSUMOTO Yu 駒沢女子大学, 人間健康学部, 講師 (80803262)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 非アルコール性脂肪性肝疾患 / 米由来成分 / セラミド代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the preventive and ameliorative effects of rice on NAFLD and its impact on ceramide metabolism using NAFLD model cells and NAFLD model animals. Experiments with NAFLD model animals suggested that rice protein hydrolysate (RPH) has a liver-protective effect and an inhibitory effect on ceramide synthesis in the liver. Experiments using NAFLD model cells suggested that the inhibition of ceramide biosynthesis is effective for improving NAFLD, although the ameliorative effect of RPH was not observed. On the other hand, the liver-protective effect of RPH was also suggested in experiments using cultured cells. Based on these results, RPH is considered to be a food component more effective for the prevention of NAFLD than for its improvement.

Free Research Field

栄養生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、米タンパク質加水分解物がNAFLD発症予防に有効であることを示すことができた。また、その分子メカニズムの一端としてセラミド代謝の変化を捉えることができたことは、NALFDだけでなくセラミド代謝との関連が指摘されている他の疾病への応用にもつながるものであると考えられる。さらに、セラミド合成阻害剤によるNAFLD改善効果の基礎的データも収集することができた。本研究の成果は、日本人の主食である米がNAFLD発症を予防する可能性を示すものであり、医学的、栄養学的、食品機能学的に重要な知見であるといえる。