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AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that affects adipose function. This study aimed to explore the function of adipocytes-derived exosomal (ADEs) miR-122 in NAFLD.

METHODS: Ahigh-fat and high-fructose diet-induced rat model and a palmitic acid (PA)-induced in vitro model were established. The RNA level of miR-122 and Sirt1 was measured using qRT-PCR. The protein levels of exosome biomarkers, and lipogenesis, inflammation and fibrosis biomarkers were determined by western blotting. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels were measured. Liver tissue damage was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin staining. The interaction between miR-122 and Sirt1 3'UTR was assessed using a luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS: ADEs exhibited abundant level of miR-122 and promoted lipogenesis, impaired hepatocyte survival, enhanced liver damage and increasedserum lipid levels in vivo and in vitro. Inhibition of miR-122 in ADEs alleviated NAFLD progression, lipid and glucose metabolism, liver inflammation and fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro. miR-122 binds directly to the 3'UTR of Sirt1 to suppress its expression. Moreover, Sirt1 overexpression reversed the increase in cell apoptosis, glucose and lipid metabolism, liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by ADEs in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS: The ADEs miR-122 promotes the progression of NAFLD via modulating Sirt1 signalling in vivo and in vitro. The ADEs miR-122 may be a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NAFLD.