Fig. 4

Lipid content and enzyme expression in the cholesterol metabolism pathway were altered in the hepatic steatosis group. A and B The expression of enzymes within the cholesterol synthesis pathway (A) and free cholesterol content (B) decreased with the severity of hepatic steatosis. C and D The expression of enzymes in the steroid hormone synthesis pathway (C) and total bile acid content (D) decreased with the severity of hepatic steatosis. E and F The content of CE (E) and the expression of ACAT1 (F) were increased in the HS1-HS2 stage. G and H The levels of cholesterol transport-related lipoproteins (G) and apolipoproteins (H) were increased with the severity of hepatic steatosis. I The expression of PLIN2 was increased with the severity of hepatic steatosis. The bar graphs indicate protein expression, and the box plots indicate metabolite content. The values are the mean ± SEM. * represents P < 0.05, ** represents P < 0.01 and *** represents P < 0.001. J Schematic of hepatic cholesterol metabolism in laying hens with severe hepatic steatosis. The shaded area indicates within the liver. Blue words indicate proteins, black words indicate lipids, and arrows indicate changes in protein expression or lipid content