Figure 4.

Contribution of fungi-induced PGE₂ to alcoholic hepatic steatosis

The level of PGE₂ (a), the expression of EP₂ (b), EP₄ (c) and cxcl1 (d) in liver of ethanol-fed mice treated with WIP. The level of PGE₂ (e), the expression of EP₂ (f), EP₄ (g) and cxcl1 (h) in liver of ethanol-fed mice treated amphotericin B (ampho B) or caspofungin. The level of PGE₂ (i), the expression of EP₂ (j), EP₄ (k) and cxcl1 (l) in liver of the fungi-free mice treated with live M. guilliermondii (Mg). The level of ALT (m), hepatic TG (n), the expression of EP₂ (o), EP₄ (p) and cxcl1 (q) in liver after oral PGE₂. (a and m-n) N = 9–10 per group, (b-d, f-h, j-l and o-q) N = 5 per group, (e and i) N = 7–9 per group. Control: mice received the isocaloric liquid diet instead of ethanol. Alcohol: mice fed with ethanol diet. WIP: mice fed with an ethanol diet supplemented with a water-insoluble polysaccharide from W. cocos. Ampho B: amphotericin B. Data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test. Compare to control: # P < .05; ## P < .01; Compare to alcohol, model or Mg: * P < .05; ** P < .01, *** P < .001.