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Dong H, Guo H, Liang Y, Wang X, Niu Y. Astragaloside IV synergizes with ferulic acid to suppress hepatic stellate cells activation in vitro. Free Radic Res 2017; 51:167-178. [PMID: 28147890 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2017.1290233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Because hepatic fibrosis usually involves more than one pathological process, combination therapy with modalities that target aberrant signaling cascade in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) represents an alternative strategy. This study evaluates the hypothesis that astragaloside IV (AS-IV) and ferulic acid (FA) synergize to inhibit HSCs activation via simultaneous activating nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and blocking transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathways. The combination of FA and AS-IV, hereafter referred to as the AS-IV/FA, at suboptimal concentrations synergistically inhibited HSCs activation, as measured by expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen α type I (Col I) and fibronectin. Nrf2 nuclear accumulation, glutathione (GSH) increase, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduction by AS-IV were not potentiated by co-treatment with FA. Similarly, inhibition of TGF-β1 secretion and Smad activity by FA also was not enhanced by combined treatment with AS-IV. AS-IV/FA synergistically suppresses the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. Inhibition of HSCs activation by AS-IV/FA could be completely blocked by TGF-βs-neutralizing antibody plus shRNA-mediated knockdown of Nrf2. Dual blockade of the TGF-β1/Smad pathway by FA and activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway by AS-IV contributed to the synergistic effects of this combination treatment. These results suggest that combinatorial treatments that target different pathway may afford a more effective strategy to inhibit HSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Dong
- a The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University , Qiqihar , China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- a The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University , Qiqihar , China
| | - Yini Liang
- a The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University , Qiqihar , China
| | - Xing Wang
- a The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University , Qiqihar , China
| | - Yingcai Niu
- a The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University , Qiqihar , China
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Jones H, Hargrove L, Kennedy L, Meng F, Graf-Eaton A, Owens J, Alpini G, Johnson C, Bernuzzi F, Demieville J, DeMorrow S, Invernizzi P, Francis H. Inhibition of mast cell-secreted histamine decreases biliary proliferation and fibrosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis Mdr2(-/-) mice. Hepatology 2016; 64:1202-1216. [PMID: 27351144 PMCID: PMC5033697 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatic fibrosis is marked by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Cholestatic injury precedes liver fibrosis, and cholangiocytes interact with HSCs promoting fibrosis. Mast cells (MCs) infiltrate following liver injury and release histamine, increasing biliary proliferation. We evaluated if inhibition of MC-derived histamine decreases biliary proliferation and fibrosis. Wild-type and multidrug resistance 2 knockout mice (9-11 weeks) were treated with cromolyn sodium for 1 week to block MC-derived histamine. Biliary mass and proliferation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 19 and Ki-67. Bile flow, bicarbonate excretion, and total bile acids were measured in all mice. Fibrosis was evaluated by sirius red/fast green staining and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for alpha-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, collagen type 1a, and transforming growth factor-beta 1. HSC activation was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in total liver and immunofluorescent staining in tissues for synaptophysin 9. Histamine serum secretion was measured by enzymatic immunoassay. Mouse liver and human liver samples from control or primary sclerosing cholangitis patients were evaluated for MC markers by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, cultured MCs were transfected with histidine decarboxylase short hairpin RNA to decrease histamine secretion and subsequently cocultured with cholangiocytes or HSCs prior to measuring fibrosis markers, proliferation, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 secretion. Treatment with cromolyn sodium decreased biliary proliferation, fibrosis, histamine secretion, and bile flow in multidrug resistance 2 knockout mice. Primary sclerosing cholangitis mice and patients have increased MCs. Knockdown of MC histidine decarboxylase decreased cholangiocyte and HSC proliferation/activation. CONCLUSION MCs are recruited to proliferating cholangiocytes and promote fibrosis. Inhibition of MC-derived histamine decreases fibrosis, and regulation of MC mediators may be therapeutic for primary sclerosing cholangitis. (Hepatology 2016;64:1202-1216).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Jones
- Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Hargrove
- Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fanyin Meng
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Allyson Graf-Eaton
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jennifer Owens
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Bernuzzi
- Temple, Texas, USA and Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sharon DeMorrow
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Temple, Texas, USA and Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Heather Francis
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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