UC San Diego

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance, lipid dysregulation, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We have previously shown that hepatocyte HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1) mediates the development of liver fibrosis in a mouse model of NAFLD. We hypothesized that intermittent hypoxia (IH) modeling obstructive sleep apnea would worsen hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in murine NAFLD, via HIF-1. Mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of Hif1a (Hif1a^-/-hep) and wild-type (Hif1a^F/F) controls were fed a high trans-fat diet to induce NAFLD with steatohepatitis. Half from each group were exposed to IH, and the other half were exposed to intermittent air. A glucose tolerance test was performed just prior to the end of the experiment. Mitochondrial efficiency was assessed in fresh liver tissue at the time of death. The hepatic malondialdehyde concentration and proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed, and genes of collagen and fatty acid metabolism were examined. Hif1a^-/-hep mice gained less weight than wild-type Hif1a mice (-2.3 g, P = 0.029). There was also a genotype-independent effect of IH on body weight, with less weight gain in mice exposed to IH (P = 0.003). Fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and glucose tolerance test results were all improved in Hif1a^-/-hep mice. Liver collagen was increased in mice exposed to IH (P = 0.033) and was reduced in Hif1a^-/-hep mice (P < 0.001), without any significant exposure/genotype interaction being demonstrated. Liver TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased in mice exposed to IH and were decreased in Hif1a^-/-hep mice. We conclude that HIF-1 signaling worsens the metabolic profile and hastens NAFLD progression and that IH may worsen liver fibrosis. These effects are plausibly mediated by hepatic inflammatory stress.