Fig. 3

Effect of RAPA on lipid accumulation and expression of S6K1, LXRα and lipogenic genes in HepG2 cells. a Cells were exposed to 14 nM RAPA (a specific mTOR inhibitor) in the absence or presence of 144 μM PA for different periods of time (a control for 24 h; b RAPA for 24 h; c PA for 24 h; d PA + RAPA for 24 h; e control for 48 h; f RAPA for 48 h; g PA for 48 h; h PA + RAPA for 48 h) and then stained with Oil Red O. b The intracellular lipid content in each group was quantified. c Intracellular TG levels were measured. After treatment with 14 nM RAPA or PA as indicated for 24 h or 48 h. d Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels. e qRT-PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of lipogenic genes. Data are presented as the means±SDs of three independent experiments, each of which was performed in triplicate (*P < 0.05 versus the control group; #P < 0.05 versus the model group)