Gene Expression Reversal and Metabolomics Reveal the Mechanism of Tartary Buckwheat Vinegar Against Alcoholic Acute Liver Injury

This study explored the hepatoprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of tartary buckwheat vinegar (TBV) against alcoholic acute liver injury (AALI). The 60 male ICR mice were divided into six groups: control (Con), model (EtOH, 52°, Red Star Erguotou, 10 mL/kg), metadoxine (Met, 300 mg/kg), and TBV low/medium/high-dose groups (L/M/H, 3.75/7.5/12 mL/kg). Pharmacological evaluations revealed that ethanol exposure significantly increased the liver index and serum levels of AST and ALT. Moreover, hepatic GSH, SOD, and ALDH enzymatic activity were markedly decreased, while MDA levels and IL-1β were significantly elevated. Notably, treatment with Met or TBV effectively reversed these changes. Then the underlying mechanisms were elucidated by a strategy combining with gene expression reversal analysis and metabolomics. The results indicated that TBV ameliorates AALI by inhibiting PTGS2, ALOX5, and TRPM8 expression, while simultaneously mitigating extracellular matrix remodeling, lipid metabolic stress, and hepatic edema by downgrading MMP2, FABP3, and AQP1, and enhancing lymphatic drainage through upregulation of LYVE1. Chemical Checker and molecular docking showed that the flavonoids in TBV played a significant role in modulating PTGS2, ALOX5, MMP2, TRPM8, AQP1, LYVE1, FABP3, and ALDH2. In conclusion, TBV might be a potential candidate for functional foods aimed at hepatoprotection against the AALI.