Abstract

OBJECTIVE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by excessive fat deposition in hepatocytes caused by non-alcoholic liver injury. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) is the main pathogen causing periodontitis, which can aggravate the progression of NAFLD. The objective of this study was to further investigate the pathogenesis of NAFLD aggravated by P.g. METHODS A mouse model of NAFLD was established, and the changes of inflammatory factors and NF-κB signaling pathway in liver tissue and L-02 cells were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing, Western blot, IHC and RT-PCR. In addition, the NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor QNZ and ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 were used to analyze the relationship between NF-κB signaling pathway and ferroptosis in vitro. RESULTS In vivo and in vitro experiments, P.g can induce liver inflammation and activate NF-κB signaling pathway. At the same time, P.g promotes ferroptosis and inflammation in L-02. QNZ alleviates ferroptosis and inflammatory activation in L-02. Fer-1 can relieve the L-02 inflammation caused by P.g. CONCLUSION P.g can induce ferroptosis and inflammation in hepatocytes and further worsen liver lesions. The mechanism of ferroptosis in hepatocytes depends on NF-κB signaling pathway, which provides a new strategy for clinical treatment and prevention of NAFLD.