Fig. 3. Administration of IPA protects against hepatic steatosis and restores metabolic homeostasis in rats fed a high-fat diet.

a IPA alters metabolic pathways in the gut microbiota of HFD-fed rats. Prediction of the functional genes in the sampled bacterial community was performed using PICRUSt (n = 4). b Representative gross pictures of the livers and hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O staining of the liver sections are shown (scale bars, 50 μm). Hepatic triglyceride (c) and cholesterol (d) levels were assessed in rats. e The liver index was calculated. f Quantification of oil red O-stained areas is shown. g Steatosis score based on the SAF score algorithm was measured. The data are presented as the mean ± SEM. n = 7–10, *P < 0.05, vs. rats fed a chow diet; ^#P < 0.05, vs. rats fed a high-fat diet