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Efremova I, Maslennikov R, Poluektova E, Medvedev O, Kudryavtseva A, Krasnov G, Fedorova M, Romanikhin F, Bakhitov V, Aliev S, Sedova N, Kuropatkina T, Ivanova A, Zharkova M, Pervushova E, Ivashkin V. Gut Microbiota and Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Cirrhosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1988. [PMID: 38396668 PMCID: PMC10888218 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to study the association of endothelial dysfunction biomarkers with cirrhosis manifestations, bacterial translocation, and gut microbiota taxa. The fecal microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Plasma levels of nitrite, big endothelin-1, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), presepsin, and claudin were measured as biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, bacterial translocation, and intestinal barrier dysfunction. An echocardiography with simultaneous determination of blood pressure and heart rate was performed to evaluate hemodynamic parameters. Presepsin, claudin 3, nitrite, and ADMA levels were higher in cirrhosis patients than in controls. Elevated nitrite levels were associated with high levels of presepsin and claudin 3, the development of hemodynamic circulation, hypoalbuminemia, grade 2-3 ascites, overt hepatic encephalopathy, high mean pulmonary artery pressure, increased abundance of Proteobacteria and Erysipelatoclostridium, and decreased abundance of Oscillospiraceae, Subdoligranulum, Rikenellaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Anaerovoracaceae. Elevated ADMA levels were associated with higher Child-Pugh scores, lower serum sodium levels, hypoalbuminemia, grade 2-3 ascites, milder esophageal varices, overt hepatic encephalopathy, lower mean pulmonary artery pressure, and low abundance of Erysipelotrichia and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae. High big endothelin-1 levels were associated with high levels of presepsin and sodium, low levels of fibrinogen and cholesterol, hypocoagulation, increased Bilophila and Coprobacillus abundances, and decreased Alloprevotella abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Efremova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov University, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (I.E.); (E.P.)
| | - Roman Maslennikov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov University, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (I.E.); (E.P.)
- Scientific Community for the Promotion of the Clinical Study of the Human Microbiome, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Consultative and Diagnostic Center 2 of the Moscow Health Department, Millionnaya Str. 6, 107564 Moscow, Russia (N.S.)
| | - Elena Poluektova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov University, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (I.E.); (E.P.)
- Scientific Community for the Promotion of the Clinical Study of the Human Microbiome, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg Medvedev
- Pharmacology Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gori 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.)
| | - Anna Kudryavtseva
- Post-Genomic Research Laboratory, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova Str. 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - George Krasnov
- Post-Genomic Research Laboratory, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova Str. 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Fedorova
- Post-Genomic Research Laboratory, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova Str. 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Filipp Romanikhin
- Pharmacology Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gori 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.)
| | - Vyacheslav Bakhitov
- Consultative and Diagnostic Center 2 of the Moscow Health Department, Millionnaya Str. 6, 107564 Moscow, Russia (N.S.)
| | - Salekh Aliev
- Consultative and Diagnostic Center 2 of the Moscow Health Department, Millionnaya Str. 6, 107564 Moscow, Russia (N.S.)
- First Hospital Surgery Department, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova Str. 1-7, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Sedova
- Consultative and Diagnostic Center 2 of the Moscow Health Department, Millionnaya Str. 6, 107564 Moscow, Russia (N.S.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, FGBOU DPO “Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation”, Barricadnaya Str. 2/1-2, 125993 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Kuropatkina
- Pharmacology Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gori 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.)
| | - Anastasia Ivanova
- Pharmacology Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gori 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.)
| | - Maria Zharkova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov University, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (I.E.); (E.P.)
| | - Ekaterina Pervushova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov University, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (I.E.); (E.P.)
| | - Vladimir Ivashkin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov University, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (I.E.); (E.P.)
- Scientific Community for the Promotion of the Clinical Study of the Human Microbiome, Pogodinskaya Str. 1-1, 119435 Moscow, Russia
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Aghdassi A, Schwedhelm E, Atzler D, Nauck M, Kühn JP, Kromrey ML, Völzke H, Felix SB, Dörr M, Ittermann T, Bahls M. The relationship between homoarginine and liver biomarkers: a combination of epidemiological and clinical studies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5230. [PMID: 36997574 PMCID: PMC10063556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Homoarginine (hArg) is a non-essential cationic amino acid which inhibits hepatic alkaline phosphatases to exert inhibitory effects on bile secretion by targeting intrahepatic biliary epithelium. We analyzed (1) the relationship between hArg and liver biomarkers in two large population-based studies and (2) the impact of hArg supplementation on liver biomarkers. We assessed the relationship between alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatases (AP), albumin, total bilirubin, cholinesterase, Quick's value, liver fat, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and hArg in appropriately adjusted linear regression models. We analyzed the effect of L-hArg supplemention (125 mg L-hArg daily for 4 weeks) on these liver biomarkers. We included 7638 individuals (men: 3705; premenopausal women: 1866, postmenopausal women: 2067). We found positive associations for hArg and ALT (β 0.38 µkatal/L 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29; 0.48), AST (β 0.29 µkatal/L 95% CI 0.17; 0.41), GGT (β 0.033 µkatal/L 95% CI 0.014; 0.053), Fib-4 score (β 0.08 95% CI 0.03; 0.13), liver fat content (β 0.016% 95% CI 0.006; 0.026), albumin (β 0.030 g/L 95% CI 0.019; 0.040), and cholinesterase (β 0.003 µkatal/L 95% CI 0.002; 0.004) in males. In premenopausal women hArg was positively related with liver fat content (β 0.047% 95%CI 0.013; 0.080) and inversely with albumin (β - 0.057 g/L 95% CI - 0.073; - 0.041). In postmenopausal women hARG was positively associated with AST (β 0.26 µkatal/L 95% CI 0.11; 0.42). hArg supplementation did not affect liver biomarkers. We summarize that hArg may be a marker of liver dysfunction and should be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Aghdassi
- Department of Medicine A - Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Endocrinology and Rheumatology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Edzard Schwedhelm
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dorothee Atzler
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jens-Peter Kühn
- Institute and Policlinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus University, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Kromrey
- Institute for Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stephan B Felix
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcus Dörr
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Till Ittermann
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Bahls
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.
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Rodrigues SG, Mendoza YP, Bosch J. Investigational drugs in early clinical development for portal hypertension. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:825-842. [PMID: 35758843 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2095259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advanced chronic liver disease is considered a reversible condition after removal of the primary aetiological factor. This has led to a paradigm shift in which portal hypertension (PH) is a reversible complication of cirrhosis. The pharmacologic management of PH is centered on finding targets to modify the natural history of cirrhosis and PH. AREAS COVERED This paper offers an overview of the use of pharmacological strategies in early clinical development that modify PH. Papers included were selected from searching clinical trials sites and PubMed from the last 10 years. EXPERT OPINION A paradigm shift has generated a new concept of PH in cirrhosis as a reversible complication of a potentially curable disease. Decreasing portal pressure to prevent decompensation and further complications of cirrhosis that may lead liver transplantation or death is a goal. Therapeutic strategies also aspire achieve total or partial regression of fibrosis thus eliminating the need for treatment or screening of PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana G Rodrigues
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yuly P Mendoza
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Health Sciences (GHS), University of Bern
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
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Choi JH, Jang AR, Park MJ, Kim DI, Park JH. Melatonin Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice by Regulating PRMT1-Mediated Signaling. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6169647. [PMID: 33713122 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, has been suggested to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis due to its inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation. We previously reported that protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) was an important mediator of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. However, the relationship between melatonin and PRMT1 in osteoclast differentiation and estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of melatonin in vitro and in vivo by focusing on PRMT1. Melatonin treatment effectively blocked RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting PRMT1 and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) expression. RANKL-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and the phosphorylation of JNK were also suppressed by melatonin, and TRAF6 siRNA attenuated RANKL-induced p-JNK and PRMT1 production. Melatonin inhibited the transcriptional activity of NF-κB by interfering with the binding of PRMT1 and NF-κB subunit p65 in RANKL-treated bone marrow-derived macrophages. Our results also revealed that melatonin inhibits RANKL-induced PRMT1 expression through receptors-independent pathway. Thus, the anti-osteoclastogenic effect of melatonin was mediated by a cascade of inhibition of RANKL-induced TRAF6, JNK, PRMT1, and NF-κB signaling in melatonin receptors-independent pathway. In vivo, ovariectomy caused significant decreases in bone mineral density, but melatonin treatment alleviated the ovariectomized (OVX)-induced bone loss by inhibiting bone resorption. Furthermore, the expression PRMT1 and TRAP mRNA was upregulated in OVX-femurs, but effectively suppressed by melatonin injection. These findings suggest that melatonin inhibited osteoclast differentiation and estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis by suppressing RANKL-induced TRAF6, JNK, PRMT1, and NF-κB signaling cascades in melatonin receptors-independent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Hee Choi
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory Animal Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-Ra Jang
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jung Park
- Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Il Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hwan Park
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
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Ferrigno A, Palladini G, Di Pasqua LG, Berardo C, Richelmi P, Cadamuro M, Fabris L, Perlini S, Adorini L, Vairetti M. Obeticholic acid reduces biliary and hepatic matrix metalloproteinases activity in rat hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238543. [PMID: 32911524 PMCID: PMC7482919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have previously shown that obeticholic acid (OCA) upregulates the biliary excretion of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of iNOS regulating the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here, the effects of OCA on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in liver, bile and serum were evaluated after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Material and methods Male Wistar rats (n = 20) were orally administered 10 mg/kg/day of OCA (5 days) and subjected to a 60-min ischemia and 60-min reperfusion. Bile, serum and tissue were collected for MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity quantification. The MMP regulator tissue reversion-inducing cysteine rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), iNOS and biliary levels of LDH, γGT, glucose and ADMA were quantified. Results In the I/R group, OCA administration reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 in liver, bile and serum. A downregulation of tissue RECK and TIMPs, observed under I/R, were recovered by OCA. Immunohistochemical staining of hepatic tissue demonstrated that RECK expression is mainly localized in both cholangiocytes and hepatocytes. Hepatic iNOS positively correlated with tissue MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Biliary levels of LDH, γGT and glucose were lower in I/R rats treated with OCA; in bile, MMP levels positively correlated with LDH and γGT. Conclusion Thus, OCA administration confers protection to cholangiocytes via downregulation of biliary MMPs in livers submitted to I/R. This event is associated with hepatic RECK- and TIMP-mediated MMP decrease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrigno
- Dept. of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- * E-mail: (MV); (AF)
| | - Giuseppina Palladini
- Dept. of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Clarissa Berardo
- Dept. of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Plinio Richelmi
- Dept. of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Luca Fabris
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Stefano Perlini
- Dept. of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Emergency Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luciano Adorini
- Intecept Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Mariapia Vairetti
- Dept. of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- * E-mail: (MV); (AF)
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Iwasaki J, Afify M, Bleilevens C, Klinge U, Weiskirchen R, Steitz J, Vogt M, Yagi S, Nagai K, Uemoto S, Tolba RH. The Impact of a Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor (L-NAME) on Ischemia⁻Reperfusion Injury of Cholestatic Livers by Pringle Maneuver and Liver Resection after Bile Duct Ligation in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092114. [PMID: 31035686 PMCID: PMC6539833 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pringle maneuver (PM) has been widely used to control blood loss during liver resection. However, hepatic inflow occlusion can also result in hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), especially in patients with a cholestatic, fibrotic, or cirrhotic liver. Here we investigate a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on IRI after the PM and partial hepatectomy of cholestatic livers induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Control group (non-BDL/no treatment), BDL + T group (BDL/L-NAME treatment) and BDL group (BDL/no treatment) were analyzed. Cholestasis was induced by BDL in the L-NAME and BDL group and a 50% partial hepatectomy with PM was performed. L-NAME was injected before PM in the BDL + T group. Hepatocellular damage, portal venous flow, microcirculation, endothelial lining, and eNOS, iNOS, interleukin (IL)-6, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were evaluated. Microcirculation of the liver in the BDL + T group tended to be higher. Liver damage and apoptotic index were significantly lower and Ki-67 labeling index was higher in the BDL + T group while iNOS and TGF-β expression was decreased. This was corroborated by a better preserved endothelial lining. L-NAME attenuated IRI following PM and improved proliferation/regeneration of cholestatic livers. These positive effects were considered as the result of improved hepatic microcirculation, prevention of iNOS formation, and TGF-β mRNA upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Iwasaki
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
- Two Photon Imaging Facility of the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Mamdouh Afify
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza Square 12211, Egypt.
| | - Christian Bleilevens
- Department of Anesthesiology, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Uwe Klinge
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Julia Steitz
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Michael Vogt
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
- Two Photon Imaging Facility of the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Shintaro Yagi
- Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Kazuyuki Nagai
- Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Shinji Uemoto
- Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Rene H Tolba
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH-Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Ferrigno A, Di Pasqua LG, Berardo C, Siciliano V, Rizzo V, Adorini L, Richelmi P, Vairetti M. The farnesoid X receptor agonist obeticholic acid upregulates biliary excretion of asymmetric dimethylarginine via MATE-1 during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191430. [PMID: 29346429 PMCID: PMC5773219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We previously showed that increased asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) biliary excretion occurs during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), prompting us to study the effects of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) on bile, serum and tissue levels of ADMA after I/R. Material and methods Male Wistar rats were orally administered 10mg/kg/day of OCA or vehicle for 5 days and were subjected to 60 min partial hepatic ischemia or sham-operated. After a 60 min reperfusion, serum, tissue and bile ADMA levels, liver mRNA and protein expression of ADMA transporters (CAT-1, CAT-2A, CAT-2B, OCT-1, MATE-1), and enzymes involved in ADMA synthesis (protein-arginine-N-methyltransferase-1, PRMT-1) and metabolism (dimethylarginine-dimethylaminohydrolase-1, DDAH-1) were measured. Results OCA administration induced a further increase in biliary ADMA levels both in sham and I/R groups, with no significant changes in hepatic ADMA content. A reduction in CAT-1, CAT-2A or CAT-2B transcripts was found in OCA-treated sham-operated rats compared with vehicle. Conversely, OCA administration did not change CAT-1, CAT-2A or CAT-2B expression, already reduced by I/R. However, a marked decrease in OCT-1 and increase in MATE-1 expression was observed. A similar trend occurred with protein expression. Conclusion The reduced mRNA expression of hepatic CAT transporters suggests that the increase in serum ADMA levels is probably due to decreased liver uptake of ADMA from the systemic circulation. Conversely, the mechanism involved in further increasing biliary ADMA levels in sham and I/R groups treated with OCA appears to be MATE-1-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrigno
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Clarissa Berardo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Veronica Siciliano
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Vittoria Rizzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luciano Adorini
- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Plinio Richelmi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mariapia Vairetti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Schwabl P, Laleman W. Novel treatment options for portal hypertension. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2017; 5:90-103. [PMID: 28533907 PMCID: PMC5421460 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/gox011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension is most frequently associated with cirrhosis and is a major driver for associated complications, such as variceal bleeding, ascites or hepatic encephalopathy. As such, clinically significant portal hypertension forms the prelude to decompensation and impacts significantly on the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. At present, non-selective β-blockers, vasopressin analogues and somatostatin analogues are the mainstay of treatment but these strategies are far from satisfactory and only target splanchnic hyperemia. In contrast, safe and reliable strategies to reduce the increased intrahepatic resistance in cirrhotic patients still represent a pending issue. In recent years, several preclinical and clinical trials have focused on this latter component and other therapeutic avenues. In this review, we highlight novel data in this context and address potentially interesting therapeutic options for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wim Laleman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Czarnecka A, Milewski K, Jaźwiec R, Zielińska M. Intracerebral Administration of S-Adenosylhomocysteine or S-Adenosylmethionine Attenuates the Increases in the Cortical Extracellular Levels of Dimethylarginines Without Affecting cGMP Level in Rats with Acute Liver Failure. Neurotox Res 2017; 31:99-108. [PMID: 27604291 PMCID: PMC5209417 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-016-9668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in brain nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP synthesis contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). An increased asymmetrically dimethylated derivative of L-arginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthases, was observed in plasma of HE patients and animal models. It is not clear whether changes in brain ADMA reflect its increased local synthesis therefore affecting NO/cGMP pathway, or are a consequence of its increased peripheral blood content. We measured extracellular concentration of ADMA and symmetrically dimethylated isoform (SDMA) in the prefrontal cortex of control and thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE rats. A contribution of locally synthesized dimethylarginines (DMAs) in their extracellular level in the brain was studied after direct infusion of the inhibitor of DMAs synthesizing enzymes (PRMTs), S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy, 2 mM), or the methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet, 2 mM), via a microdialysis probe. Next, we analyzed whether locally synthesized ADMA attains physiological significance by determination of extracellular cGMP. The expression of PRMT-1 was also examined. Concentration of ADMA and SDMA, detected by positive mode electrospray LC-DMS-MS/MS, was greatly enhanced in TAA rats and was decreased (by 30 %) after AdoHcy and AdoMet infusion. TAA-induced increase (by 40 %) in cGMP was unaffected after AdoHcy administration. The expression of PRMT-1 in TAA rat brain was unaltered. The results suggest that (i) the TAA-induced increase in extracellular DMAs may result from their effective synthesis in the brain, and (ii) the excess of extracellular ADMA does not translate into changes in the extracellular cGMP concentration and implicate a minor role in brain NO/cGMP pathway control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Czarnecka
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Milewski
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Radosław Jaźwiec
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5A Pawińskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zielińska
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
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10
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Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Hepatic Encephalopathy: Cause, Effect or Association? Neurochem Res 2016; 42:750-761. [PMID: 27885576 PMCID: PMC5357500 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The methylated derivative of l-arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is synthesized in different mammalian tissues including the brain. ADMA acts as an endogenous, nonselective, competitive inhibitor of all three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and may limit l-arginine supply from the plasma to the enzyme via reducing its transport by cationic amino acid transporters. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a relatively frequently diagnosed complex neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with acute or chronic liver failure, characterized by symptoms linked with impaired brain function leading to neurological disabilities. The l-arginine—nitric oxide (NO) pathway is crucially involved in the pathomechanism of HE via modulating important cerebral processes that are thought to contribute to the major HE symptoms. Specifically, activation of this pathway in acute HE leads to an increase in NO production and free radical formation, thus, contributing to astrocytic swelling and cerebral edema. Moreover, the NO-cGMP pathway seems to be involved in cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation, altered in HE. For this reason, depressed NO-cGMP signaling accompanying chronic HE and ensuing cGMP deficit contributes to the cognitive and motor failure. However, it should be remembered that ADMA, a relatively little known element limiting NO synthesis in HE, may also influence the NO-cGMP pathway regulation. In this review, we will discuss the contribution of ADMA to the regulation of the NO-cGMP pathway in the brain, correlation of ADMA level with CBF and cognitive alterations observed during HE progression in patients and/or animal models of HE.
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11
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Nair H, Berzigotti A, Bosch J. Emerging therapies for portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2016; 21:167-81. [PMID: 27148904 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2016.1184647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Counteracting splanchnic vasodilatation and increased portal-collateral blood flow has been the mainstay for the treatment of portal hypertension (PH) over the past three decades. However, there is still large room for improvement in the treatment of PH. AREAS COVERED The basic mechanism leading to portal hypertension is the increased hepatic vascular resistance to portal blood flow caused by liver structural abnormalities inherent to cirrhosis and increased hepatic vascular tone. Molecules modulating microvascular dysfunction which have undergone preclinical and clinical trials are summarized, potential drug development issues are addressed, and situations relevant to design of clinical trials are considered. EXPERT OPINION Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that molecules modulating liver microvascular dysfunction may allow for 30-40% reduction in portal pressure. Several agents could be utilized in the earlier stages of cirrhosis (antifibrotics, antiangiogenics, etiological therapies) may allow reduction of fibrosis and halt progression of PH. This 'nip at the bud' policy, by combining therapies with existing agents used in advanced phase of cirrhosis and novel agents which could be used in early phase of cirrhotic spectrum, which are likely to hit the market soon would be the future strategy for PH therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harikumar Nair
- a Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | | | - Jaime Bosch
- a Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern , Bern , Switzerland.,b Hospital Clinic de Barcelona , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
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12
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Tveden-Nyborg P, Birck MM, Ipsen DH, Thiessen T, Feldmann LDB, Lindblad MM, Jensen HE, Lykkesfeldt J. Diet-induced dyslipidemia leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and oxidative stress in guinea pigs. Transl Res 2016; 168:146-160. [PMID: 26518991 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic dyslipidemia imposed by a high-fat and high-caloric dietary regime leads to debilitating disorders such as obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and insulin resistance. As disease rates surge, so does the need for high validity animal models to effectively study the causal relationship between diet and disease progression. The dyslipidemic guinea pig displays a high similarity with the human lipoprotein profile and may in this aspect be superior to other rodent models. This study investigated the effects of 2 long-term Westernized diets (0.35% cholesterol, 18.5% vegetable oil and either 15% or 20% sucrose) compared with isocaloric standard chow in adult guinea pigs. Biochemical markers confirmed dyslipidemia in agreement with dietary regimens; however, both high-fat groups displayed a decreased tissue fat percentage compared with controls. Macroscopic appearance, histopathologic evaluation, and plasma markers of liver function confirmed NAFLD in high-fat groups, supported by liver redox imbalance and markers suggesting hepatic endothelial dysfunction. Plasma markers indicated endothelial dysfunction in response to a high-fat diet, although atherosclerotic lesions were not evident. Evaluation of glucose tolerance showed no indication of insulin resistance. The 5% increase in sucrose between the 2 high-fat diets did not lead to significant differences between groups. In conclusion, we find the dyslipidemic guinea pig to be a valid model of diet imposed dyslipidemia, particularly with regards to hepatic steatosis and endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, the absence of obesity supports the present study setup as targeting NAFLD in nonobese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Malene M Birck
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - David H Ipsen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Tina Thiessen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Linda de Bie Feldmann
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Maiken M Lindblad
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Henrik E Jensen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jens Lykkesfeldt
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
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OKUYUCU A, ŞALIŞ O, ALICI Ö, GÜVENLİ A, TERZİ Y, KELEŞ ME, İLKAYA F, GÖREN İ, ALAÇAM H. The restorative effect of ascorbic acid on liver injury inducedby asymmetric dimethylarginine. Turk J Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.3906/biy-1508-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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14
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Lluch P, Segarra G, Medina P. Asymmetric dimethylarginine as a mediator of vascular dysfunction in cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:9466-9475. [PMID: 26327755 PMCID: PMC4548108 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i32.9466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cirrhosis is associated with marked abnormalities in the circulatory function that involve a reduction in systemic vascular resistance. An important cause of this vasodilatation is the increased production or activity of nitric oxide (NO) in the splanchnic circulation. During portal hypertension and cirrhosis an increased endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity is demonstrated in splanchnic vessels. In contrast, the activity of eNOS in the cirrhotic liver is decreased, which suggests a different regulation of eNOS in the liver and in the splanchnic vessels. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous NO inhibitor and higher plasma levels of ADMA are related to increased cardiovascular risk in both the general population and among patients with cirrhosis. It has been demonstrated that the liver is a key player in the metabolism of ADMA. This observation was further supported by investigations in human patients, showing a close correlation between ADMA plasma levels and the degree of hepatic dysfunction. ADMA is degraded to citrulline and dimethylamine by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs). DDAHs are expressed as type 1 and 2 isoforms and are widely distributed in various organs and tissues, including the liver. In this review, we discuss experimental and clinical data that document the effects of dimethylarginines on vascular function in cirrhosis. Our increasing understanding of the routes of synthesis and metabolism of methylarginines is beginning to provide insights into novel mechanisms of liver disease and allowing us to identify potential therapeutic opportunities.
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Abstract
Portal hypertension is a common complication of chronic liver disease. Its relevance comes from the fact that it determines most complications leading to death or liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis of the liver: bleeding from esophageal or gastric varices, ascites and renal dysfunction, sepsis and hepatic encephalopathy. Portal hypertension results from increased resistance to portal blood flow through the cirrhotic liver. This is caused by two mechanisms: (1) distortion of the liver vascular architecture due to the liver disease causing structural abnormalities (nodule formation, remodeling of liver sinusoids, fibrosis, angiogenesis and vascular occlusion), and (2) increased hepatic vascular tone due to sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction, which results in a defective production of endogenous vasodilators, mainly nitric oxide (NO), and increased production of vasoconstrictors (thromboxane A2, cysteinyl leukotrienes, angiotensin II, endothelins and an activated adrenergic system). Hepatic endothelial dysfunction occurs early in the course of chronic liver disease as a consequence of inflammation and oxidative stress, and determines loss of the normal phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) that become proliferative, prothrombotic, proinflammatory and vasoconstrictor. The cross-talk between LSECs and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induces activation of the latter, which in turn proliferate, migrate and increase collagen deposition around the sinusoids, contributing to fibrogenesis, architectural disruption and angiogenesis, which further increase the hepatic vascular resistance and worsen liver failure by interfering with the blood perfusion of the liver parenchyma. An additional factor further worsening portal hypertension is an increased blood flow through the portal system due to splanchnic vasodilatation. This is an adaptive response to decreased effective hepatocyte perfusion, and is maximal once portal pressure has increased sufficiently to promote the development of intrahepatic shunts and portal-systemic collaterals, including varices, through which portal blood flow bypasses the liver. In human portal hypertension collateralization and hyperdynamic circulation start at a portal pressure gradient >10 mm Hg. Rational therapy for portal hypertension aims at correcting these pathophysiological abnormalities: liver injury, fibrogenesis, increased hepatic vascular tone and splanchnic vasodilatation. Continuing liver injury may be counteracted specifically by etiological treatments (the best example being the direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C viral infection), while architectural disruption and fibrosis can be ameliorated by a variety of antifibrotic drugs and antiangiogenic strategies. Several drugs in this category are currently under investigation in phase II-III randomized controlled trials. Sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction is ameliorated by statins as well as by other drugs increasing NO availability. It is of note that simvastatin has already been proven to be clinically effective in two randomized controlled trials. Splanchnic hyperemia can be counteracted by nonselective β-blockers (NSBBs), vasopressin analogs and somatostatin analogs, drugs that until recently were the only available treatments for portal hypertension, but that are not very effective in the initial stages of cirrhosis. There is experimental and clinical evidence indicating that a more effective reduction of portal pressure is obtained by combining agents acting on these different pathways. It is likely that the treatment of portal hypertension will evolve to use etiological treatments together with antifibrotic agents and/or drugs improving sinusoidal endothelial function in the initial stages of cirrhosis (preprimary prophylaxis), while NSBBs will be added in advanced stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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González-Peña D, Dudzik D, Colina-Coca C, de Ancos B, García A, Barbas C, Sánchez-Moreno C. Multiplatform metabolomic fingerprinting as a tool for understanding hypercholesterolemia in Wistar rats. Eur J Nutr 2015; 55:997-1010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00394-015-0914-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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17
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Association of homoarginine and methylarginines with liver dysfunction and mortality in chronic liver disease. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1817-26. [PMID: 25952253 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2000-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on arginine metabolites reported an association of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) with liver dysfunction and an inverse relation of homoarginine (hArg) with cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between hArg, ADMA, SDMA, and the dimethylarginine score (DAS, i.e., ADMA + SDMA) and liver dysfunction and survival in chronic liver disease. In 94 consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to our outpatient liver clinic, serum levels of hArg, ADMA, and SDMA were measured by HPLC at baseline. Patients were followed with respect to mortality. In the entire study cohort (age 58.5 ± 11.2 years; 31 % females), the serum concentrations were 1.94 ± 0.90 µM for homoarginine, 0.90 ± 0.22 µM for ADMA, and 0.70 (0.60-0.93) µM for SDMA. ADMA correlated with both Child-Pugh and MELD scores, while SDMA, DAS, and hArg correlated with MELD score only. Thirty patients (32 %) died during a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) per µM (with 95 % confidence intervals) showed that hArg was associated with decreased mortality [HR 0.59 (0.37-0.96)], whereas mortality was increased in patients with higher ADMA [HR 3.78 (0.98-14.60)], SDMA [HR 6.54 (3.15-13.59)] and DAS [HR 4.13 (2.26-7.56)]. Only SDMA and DAS remained significantly associated with mortality after additional adjustments for either Child-Pugh stage or MELD score. In conclusion, in cirrhotic patients seen in an outpatient liver clinic, hArg as well as the dimethylarginines ADMA and SDMA was related to long-term mortality. In particular, SDMA predicts mortality independently of both Child-Pugh stage and MELD score.
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18
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Gracia-Sancho J, Maeso-Díaz R, Fernández-Iglesias A, Navarro-Zornoza M, Bosch J. New cellular and molecular targets for the treatment of portal hypertension. Hepatol Int 2015; 9:183-91. [PMID: 25788198 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-015-9613-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic liver disease, and it determines most complications leading to death or liver transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis. PH results from increased resistance to portal blood flow through the cirrhotic liver. This is caused by two mechanisms: (a) distortion of the liver vascular architecture and (b) hepatic microvascular dysfunction. Increment in hepatic resistance is latterly accompanied by splanchnic vasodilation, which further aggravates PH. Hepatic microvascular dysfunction occurs early in the course of chronic liver disease as a consequence of inflammation and oxidative stress and determines loss of the normal phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). The cross-talk between LSEC and hepatic stellate cells induces activation of the latter, which in turn proliferate, migrate and increase collagen deposition around the sinusoids, contributing to fibrogenesis, architectural disruption and angiogenesis. Therapy for PH aims at correcting these pathophysiological abnormalities: liver injury, fibrogenesis, increased hepatic vascular tone and splanchnic vasodilatation. Continuing liver injury may be counteracted specifically by etiological treatments, while architectural disruption and fibrosis can be ameliorated by a variety of anti-fibrogenic drugs and anti-angiogenic strategies. Sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction is ameliorated by statins and other drugs increasing NO availability. Splanchnic hyperemia can be counteracted by non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs), vasopressin analogs and somatostatin analogs. Future treatment of portal hypertension will evolve to use etiological treatments together with anti-fibrotic agents and/or drugs improving microvascular function in initial stages of cirrhosis (pre-primary prophylaxis), while NSBBs will be added in advanced stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), University of Barcelona, Rosselló 149, 4th Floor, 08036, Barcelona, Spain,
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Vairappan B. Endothelial dysfunction in cirrhosis: Role of inflammation and oxidative stress. World J Hepatol 2015; 7:443-459. [PMID: 25848469 PMCID: PMC4381168 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i3.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review describes the recent developments in the pathobiology of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the context of cirrhosis with portal hypertension and defines novel strategies and potential targets for therapy. ED has prognostic implications by predicting unfavourable early hepatic events and mortality in patients with portal hypertension and advanced liver diseases. ED characterised by an impaired bioactivity of nitric oxide (NO) within the hepatic circulation and is mainly due to decreased bioavailability of NO and accelerated degradation of NO with reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, elevated inflammatory markers also inhibit NO synthesis and causes ED in cirrhotic liver. Therefore, improvement of NO availability in the hepatic circulation can be beneficial for the improvement of endothelial dysfunction and associated portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. Furthermore, therapeutic agents that are identified in increasing NO bioavailability through improvement of hepatic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and reduction in hepatic asymmetric dimethylarginine, an endogenous modulator of eNOS and a key mediator of elevated intrahepatic vascular tone in cirrhosis would be interesting therapeutic approaches in patients with endothelial dysfunction and portal hypertension in advanced liver diseases.
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20
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Saracyn M, Ząbkowski T, Zdanowski R, Brytan M, Patera J, Nowak Z, Kade G, Wańkowicz Z. Effect of nitric oxide pathway regulation on water/sodium balance and renal function in a rodent model of acute liver and renal failure. Med Sci Monit 2014; 20:1735-44. [PMID: 25270512 PMCID: PMC4186324 DOI: 10.12659/msm.890757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathomechanism of acute hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a particular form of acute renal failure that occurs in the course of acute liver injury, is still poorly understood. The aim of our study was to estimate the influence of the activation and inhibition of the nitric oxide pathway on the water/sodium balance and development of acute renal failure in the course of HRS. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used male Sprague-Dawley rats in the acute galactosamine (Ga1N) model of HRS. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors L-NAME and L-arginine were administered intraperitoneally before and after liver damage. RESULTS HRS developed in all tested groups. L-NAME increased osmotic clearance and urine volume more effectively before liver injury. Furthermore, administration of L-NAME increased creatinine clearance both before and after Ga1N injection. A double dose of L-NAME did not yield further improvement before Ga1N injection, but improved creatinine clearance after Ga1N intoxication. Injection of L-arginine increased sodium excretion and urine volume, but only after liver injury. Moreover, L-arginine injected after Ga1N caused significant improvement of the creatinine clearance in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that inhibition of the nitric oxide pathway improves parameters of water and sodium balance and prevents development of acute renal failure in the course of acute liver injury and liver failure. Activation of the nitric oxide system also has a favorable influence on water/sodium balance and renal failure, but only after liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Saracyn
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ząbkowski
- Department of Urology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Zdanowski
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Brytan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Patera
- Department of Pathology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Nowak
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kade
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zofia Wańkowicz
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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Cure E, Cure MC, Tumkaya L, Kalkan Y, Aydin I, Kirbas A, Yilmaz A, Yuce S, Gokce MF. Topiramate ameliorates abdominal aorta cross-clamping induced liver injury in rats. SAUDI JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SAUDI GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATION 2014. [PMID: 25253365 DOI: 10.4103/1319-3767.141690.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the liver occurs after a prolonged period of ischemia followed by restoration of hepatic blood perfusion. During the surgery of abdominal aorta, I/R injury causes damage to lower extremities and many organs, especially liver. The antioxidant and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) suppression effects of topiramate (TPM) have been reported in several studies. We evaluated the potential protective effect of TPM on cellular damage in liver tissue during I/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Control, I/R, and I/R plus TPM (I/R + TPM) groups. Laparotomy without I/R injury was performed in the control group. After laparotomy, cross-ligation of infrarenal abdominal aorta was applied for 2 h in I/R groups that was followed by 2 h of reperfusion. TPM (100 mg/kg/day) was orally administrated to the animals in the I/R + TPM group for seven consecutive days before I/R procedure. RESULTS The I/R group's TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly higher than those of the control (P = 0.010; P = 0.002) and I/R + TPM groups (P = 0.010; P = 0.002, respectively). Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels of I/R group were higher than the control (P = 0.015) and I/R + TPM groups. I/R caused serious histopathological damage to liver tissue; however, TPM led to very low histopathological changes. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that TPM treatment prominently decreases the severity of liver I/R injury. TPM pretreatment may have preventive effects on liver injury via I/R during intra-abdominal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Cure
- Department of Internal Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
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22
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Cure E, Cure MC, Tumkaya L, Kalkan Y, Aydin I, Kirbas A, Yilmaz A, Yuce S, Gokce MF. Topiramate ameliorates abdominal aorta cross-clamping induced liver injury in rats. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:297-303. [PMID: 25253365 PMCID: PMC4196345 DOI: 10.4103/1319-3767.141690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the liver occurs after a prolonged period of ischemia followed by restoration of hepatic blood perfusion. During the surgery of abdominal aorta, I/R injury causes damage to lower extremities and many organs, especially liver. The antioxidant and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) suppression effects of topiramate (TPM) have been reported in several studies. We evaluated the potential protective effect of TPM on cellular damage in liver tissue during I/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Control, I/R, and I/R plus TPM (I/R + TPM) groups. Laparotomy without I/R injury was performed in the control group. After laparotomy, cross-ligation of infrarenal abdominal aorta was applied for 2 h in I/R groups that was followed by 2 h of reperfusion. TPM (100 mg/kg/day) was orally administrated to the animals in the I/R + TPM group for seven consecutive days before I/R procedure. RESULTS The I/R group's TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly higher than those of the control (P = 0.010; P = 0.002) and I/R + TPM groups (P = 0.010; P = 0.002, respectively). Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels of I/R group were higher than the control (P = 0.015) and I/R + TPM groups. I/R caused serious histopathological damage to liver tissue; however, TPM led to very low histopathological changes. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that TPM treatment prominently decreases the severity of liver I/R injury. TPM pretreatment may have preventive effects on liver injury via I/R during intra-abdominal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Cure
- Department of Internal Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
- Address for correspondence: Dr. Erkan Cure, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, School of Medicine, Rize - 53100, Turkey. E-mail:
| | - Medine C. Cure
- Department of Biochemistry, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Levent Tumkaya
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Yildiray Kalkan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Aydin
- Department of Surgery, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Aynur Kirbas
- Department of Biochemistry, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Arif Yilmaz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Yuce
- Department of Internal Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Mehmet F. Gokce
- Department of Physiology, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey
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Changes in ADMA/DDAH pathway after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: the role of bile. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:627434. [PMID: 25243167 PMCID: PMC4160639 DOI: 10.1155/2014/627434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), protein methyltransferase (PRMT) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) (involved, resp., in ADMA synthesis and degradation), and the cationic transporter (CAT). Male Wistar rats were subjected to 30 or 60 min hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion. ADMA levels in serum and bile were determined. Tissue ADMA, DDAH activity, DDAH-1 and CAT-2 protein, DDAH-1 and PRMT-1 mRNA expression, GSH/GSSG, ROS production, and lipid peroxidation were detected. ADMA was found in bile. I/R increased serum and bile ADMA levels while an intracellular decrease was detected after 60 min ischemia. Decreased DDAH activity, mRNA, and protein expression were observed at the end of reperfusion. No significant difference was observed in GSH/GSSG, ROS, lipid peroxidation, and CAT-2; a decrease in PRMT-1 mRNA expression was found after I/R. Liver is responsible for the biliary excretion of ADMA, as documented here for the first time, and I/R injury is associated with an oxidative stress-independent alteration in DDAH activity. These data are a step forward in the understanding of the pathways that regulate serum, tissue, and biliary levels of ADMA in which DDAH enzyme plays a crucial role.
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Verbeke L, Farre R, Trebicka J, Komuta M, Roskams T, Klein S, Elst IV, Windmolders P, Vanuytsel T, Nevens F, Laleman W. Obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, improves portal hypertension by two distinct pathways in cirrhotic rats. Hepatology 2014; 59:2286-98. [PMID: 24259407 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear bile acid receptor involved in bile acid homeostasis, hepatic and intestinal inflammation, liver fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease. We studied the effect of short-term treatment with obeticholic acid (INT-747), a potent selective FXR agonist, on intrahepatic hemodynamic dysfunction and signaling pathways in different rat models of cirrhotic portal hypertension (PHT). For this, thioacetamide (TAA)-intoxicated and bile-duct-ligated (BDL) rats were used as models. After gavage of two doses of 30 mg/kg of INT-747 or vehicle within 24 hours, in vivo hemodynamics were assessed. Additionally, we evaluated the direct effect of INT-747 on total intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) and intrahepatic vascular tone (endothelial dysfunction and hyperresponsiveness to methoxamine) by means of an in situ liver perfusion system and on hepatic stellate cell contraction in vitro. FXR expression and involved intrahepatic vasoactive pathways (e.g., endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS], Rho-kinase, and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase [DDAH]) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or western blotting. In both cirrhotic models, FXR expression was decreased. Treatment with INT-747 in TAA and BDL reactivated the FXR downstream signaling pathway and decreased portal pressure by lowering total IHVR without deleterious systemic hypotension. In the perfused TAA and BDL cirrhotic liver, INT-747 improved endothelial vasorelaxation capacity, but not hyperresponsiveness. In both groups, this was associated with an increased eNOS activity, which, in TAA, related to down-regulation of Rho-kinase and in BDL to up-regulation of DDAH-2. CONCLUSION FXR agonist INT-747 improves PHT in two different rat models of cirrhosis by decreasing IHVR. This hemodynamic effect relates to increased intrahepatic eNOS activity by pathways that differ depending on the etiology of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Len Verbeke
- Department of Liver and Biliopancreatic Disorders, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Sheen JM, Chen YC, Tain YL, Huang LT. Increased circulatory asymmetric dimethylarginine and multiple organ failure: bile duct ligation in rat as a model. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:3989-4006. [PMID: 24603538 PMCID: PMC3975379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15033989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bile duct ligation (BDL)-treated rats exhibit cholestasis, increased systemic oxidative stress, and liver fibrosis, which ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase that can decrease the synthesis of nitric oxide. BDL rats have higher plasma and hepatic ADMA levels, which may be due to increased hepatic protein arginine methyltransferase-1 and decreased dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase expression. BDL rats also exhibit renal and brain damage characterized by increased tissue ADMA concentrations. The increased plasma ADMA levels and multiple organ damages seen here are also observed following multiple organ failures associated with critical illness. This review discusses the dysregulation of ADMA in major organs in BDL rats and the role of increased ADMA in multiple organ damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiunn-Ming Sheen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Chieh Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - You-Lin Tain
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Tung Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
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Age-related changes in ADMA-DDAH-NO pathway in rat liver subjected to partial ischemia followed by global reperfusion. Exp Gerontol 2013; 50:45-51. [PMID: 24269305 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver function is affected during ischemia/reperfusion (IR). We evaluated the effect of the aging process on selected parameters determining the NO level in rat liver subjected to IR. METHODS The animals were divided into the C-2 and the IR-2 group of young rats (2-4 months old) and the C-12 and the IR-12 group of older rats (12-14 months old). Livers belonging to the IR-2 and the IR-12 group were subjected to partial ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion (4 h). Blood samples were obtained after surgeries to estimate the activity of aminotransferases, as well as just before ischemia and during reperfusion (15, 120, and 240 min) to estimate concentration of arginine (Arg) and its derivatives: asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, SDMA). After IR, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity and protein concentration of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured in liver homogenates. RESULTS In the IR-2 group ADMA level increased the most between 15 and 120 min of reperfusion and was the highest of all the groups (0.72±0.2 μmol/l). In the IR-12 group ADMA level decreased significantly and was lower compared to all the other groups at 15 min (0.42±0.2 μmol/l) and to IR-2 at 120 (0.52±0.1 μmol/l) and 240 min (0.38±0.1 μmol/l) of reperfusion. Only the IR-2 group SDMA level increased significantly between 15 (0.75±0.9 μmol/l) and 240 min (1.0±1.2 μmol/l) of reperfusion. At the beginning of the surgery the Arg level was significantly higher in young rats (C-2: 102.1±35.7 μmol/l; IR-2: 114.63±28.9 μmol/l) than in older ones (C-12: 41.88±44.7 μmol/l; IR-12: 28.64±30.6 μmol/l). In the C-2 group the Arg level (77.41±37.5 μmol/l) and Arg/ADMA (A/A) ratio (138.03±62.8 μmol/l) were significantly higher compared to the ischemic groups at 15 min and to all the other groups at 120 (Arg: 47.17±31.7 μmol/l; A/A: 88.28±66.2 μmol/l) and 240 min (Arg: 43.87±21.9 μmol/l; A/A: 118.02±106.3 μmol/l). In the IR-2 group Arg level (11.4±12.0 μmol/l) and A/A ratio (16.11±16.2 μmol/l) decreased significantly at 15 min and during the next phase of reperfusion the levels of those parameters were low, comparably to those in IR-12. As a result of IR, a decrease in DDAH activity and an increase in iNOS protein concentration were observed only in the young rats. CONCLUSIONS We found that in the non-ischemic groups the Arg level may be affected by the aging process. Under IR conditions, important changes in DDAH-ADMA-NO pathway were observed only in young livers.
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Influence of ezetimibe on ADMA-DDAH-NO pathway in rat liver subjected to partial ischemia followed by global reperfusion. Pharmacol Rep 2013; 65:122-33. [PMID: 23563030 DOI: 10.1016/s1734-1140(13)70970-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated effect of ezetimibe on selected parameters determining NO level in rat liver subjected to ischemia reperfusion (IR). METHODS Rats received ezetimibe (5 mg/kg) (groups E0 and EIR) or saline solution (groups C0 and CIR) intragastrically for 21 days. Then, the livers of CIR and EIR underwent ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion (4 h). Blood samples were obtained before surgery to estimate activities of aminotransferases, and just before ischemia and during reperfusion to estimate asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, SDMA) and arginine (Arg) levels. After IR, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein concentration were measured in liver homogenates. DDAH and protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) mRNA were quantified by real-time PCR in liver tissue samples. RESULTS In CIR, the ADMA level was significantly higher compared to all other groups in 30 min and to E0 group in 120 min of reperfusion. In EIR, ADMA was low, compared to non-ischemic groups. At 30 and 120 min of reperfusion, in non-ischemic groups the level of Arg and Arg/ADMA ratio were significantly higher than in ischemic groups and E0 was the group with the highest levels of those parameters of all. In CIR, eNOS protein concentration was significantly lower than in ezetimibe-treated groups. Activity of DDAH was significantly higher in E0 than in non-treated groups. In ischemic groups, DDAH mRNA expression was significantly higher than in non-ischemic ones and PRMT mRNA expression was significantly higher in C0 than in all other groups. CONCLUSIONS Influence of ezetimibe on ADMA/DDAH/NO pathway demonstrated in this work may suggest protective properties of this drug on rat livers injured by IR and, to a lower extent, on livers non-subjected to IR.
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Effects of CA1 glutamatergic systems upon memory impairments in cholestatic rats. Behav Brain Res 2013; 256:636-45. [PMID: 24050889 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bile duct ligation (BDL) is shown to induce cholestasis-related liver function impairments as well as consequent cognitive dysfunctions (i.e. impaired learning and memory formation). Glutamatergic neurotransmission plays an important role in hippocampal modulation of learning and memory function. The present study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of dorsal hippocampal (CA1) glutamatergic systems upon cholestasis-induced amnesia. METHOD Cholestasis was induced in male Wistar rats through double-ligation of the main bile duct (at two points) and transection of the interposed segment. Step-through passive avoidance test was employed to examine rats' learning and memory function. All drugs were injected into CA1 region of the hippocampus. RESULTS our results indicated a decrease in memory retrieval following cholestasis (11, 17 and 24 days post BDL). Only subthreshold doses of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA; 0.125 and 0.25 μg/μl) but not its effective dose (0.5 μg/μl), restored the cholestasis-induced amnesia in step-through passive avoidance test, 11, 17 and 24 days post BDL. This effect was blocked by the subthreshold dose of D-[1]-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (D-AP7, NMDA receptor antagonist; 0.0625 μg/μl, intra-CA1) at 0.125 μg/μl and 0.25 μg/μl doses of NMDA. Moreover, our data revealed that only effective doses of D-AP7 (0.125 and 0.25 μg/μl, intra-CA1) potentiate memory impairments in 11 days after BDL. It was noted that none of applied drugs/doses exerted an effect on memory acquisition and locomotors activity, 10 and 12 days post laparotomy, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest the potential involvement of CA1 glutamatergic system(s) in cholestasis-induced memory deficits.
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Serna E, Mauricio MD, Lluch P, Segarra G, Cortina B, Lluch S, Medina P. Basal release of nitric oxide in the mesenteric artery in portal hypertension and cirrhosis: role of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013; 28:880-6. [PMID: 23302093 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Increased basal release of nitric oxide (NO) in the splanchnic circulation contributes to elevated plasma levels of NO observed in decompensated cirrhosis. We evaluated in rat mesenteric arteries whether the differences in basal release of NO, revealed by asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)- and N(G) -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced contractions, were associated with changes in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs). METHODS Rat small mesenteric arteries from 14 Sham-control, from 14 with partial portal vein ligation (PPVL), and from 14 with bile duct excision (BDE)-induced cirrhosis were precontracted under isometric conditions with norepinephrine, and additional contractions were induced with ADMA and L-NAME. mRNA expression of eNOS, DDAH-1, and DDAH-2 in mesenteric arteries were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS ADMA and L-NAME caused concentration- and endothelium-dependent contractions. pD2 values to L-NAME were similar in all groups. In contrast, pD2 values to ADMA were similar in PPVL and BDE but were significantly lower than those of the L-NAME and the Sham groups. Relaxation to acetylcholine was not modified by ADMA or L-NAME but was abolished by charybdotoxin plus apamin. There was an increased mRNA expression of eNOS, DDAH-1, and DDAH-2 in mesenteric arteries from PPVL and BDE compared with the Sham group. CONCLUSION Basal release of NO is increased in mesenteric arteries of PPVL and BDE rats. The rise in expression of DDAHs indicates a higher degradation of ADMA. This would result in an increased generation of endothelial NO and mesenteric vasodilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Serna
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Chang KA, Lin IC, Sheen JM, Chen YC, Chen CC, Tain YL, Hsieh CS, Huang LT. Sex differences of oxidative stress to cholestatic liver and kidney injury in young rats. Pediatr Neonatol 2013; 54:95-101. [PMID: 23590953 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2012.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual dimorphism plays a role in the liver and in renal injuries. However, whether sex is a risk factor in bile duct ligation (BDL) in young rats has never been examined. METHODS Six male and six female rats treated with BDL were sacrificed 2 weeks after surgery and were designated as BDL-M and BDL-F groups. The other six male and six female rats that received sham ligation were designated as sham-M and sham-F groups. Plasma biochemistry and liver and kidney asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-related molecules were examined. RESULTS Both BDL-M and BDL-F groups had elevated plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), bilirubin, and transforming growth factor-β1 levels. The BDL-F group had lower plasma AST and ALT levels than the BDL-M group. The BDL-M and BDL-F groups had elevated plasma ADMA levels. The cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) level was increased in the BDL-F group as compared to the sham-F group, whereas the CAT2 level was reduced in the both BDL-M and BDL-F groups. CONCLUSION We found that young male rats were prone to higher degrees of biochemical liver and kidney injury to cholestasis. Sex differences in modulation of oxidative stress markers, such as ADMA, may play a role. Our results support careful monitoring and optimal treatment of cholestatic disease, especially in young male patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kow-Aung Chang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Hu LS, George J, Wang JH. Current concepts on the role of nitric oxide in portal hypertension. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:1707-1717. [PMID: 23555159 PMCID: PMC3607747 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i11.1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PHT) is defined as a pathological increase in portal venous pressure and frequently accompanies cirrhosis. Portal pressure can be increased by a rise in portal blood flow, an increase in vascular resistance, or the combination. In cirrhosis, the primary factor leading to PHT is an increase in intra-hepatic resistance to blood flow. Although much of this increase is a mechanical consequence of architectural disturbances, there is a dynamic and reversible component that represents up to a third of the increased vascular resistance in cirrhosis. Many vasoactive substances contribute to the development of PHT. Among these, nitric oxide (NO) is the key mediator that paradoxically regulates the sinusoidal (intra-hepatic) and systemic/splanchnic circulations. NO deficiency in the liver leads to increased intra-hepatic resistance while increased NO in the circulation contributes to the hyperdynamic systemic/splanchnic circulation. NO mediated-angiogenesis also plays a role in splanchnic vasodilation and collateral circulation formation. NO donors reduce PHT in animals models but the key clinical challenge is the development of an NO donor or drug delivery system that selectively targets the liver.
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Saracyn M, Patera J, Kocik J, Brytan M, Zdanowski R, Lubas A, Kozłowski W, Wańkowicz Z. Strain of experimental animals and modulation of nitric oxide pathway: their influence on development of renal failure in an experimental model of hepatorenal syndrome. Arch Med Sci 2012; 8:555-62. [PMID: 22852015 PMCID: PMC3400905 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2012.29281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pathomechanism of HRS is still poorly understood. The aim of our study was: (1) to test whether different strains of rats could develop typical HRS, and (2) to estimate the influence of activation and inhibition of nitric oxide for development of renal failure in course of HRS. MATERIAL AND METHODS First, we used 16 of Wistar and 16 of Sprague-Dawley rats in galactosamine model of HRS. Next, we used 48 of SDR rats, which received saline, N-nitro-L-arginine or L-arginine before and after liver damage. Twenty four hours urine and blood samples were collected 48 h after saline or Ga1N injection. Biochemical parameters were determined in serum or urine and then creatinine clearance and osmolality clearance were calculated. Liver and kidney tissues were collected for histopathological examination. RESULTS Liver failure developed in all tested groups with significant increase of bilirubin (p < 0.001), ALT (p < 0.001) and ammonia (p < 0.001). Nevertheless we did not achieve any evidence of renal failure in Wistar, but we found typical renal failure in Sprague-Dawley group with significant decrease in creatinine clearance (p < 0.0012) and increase in concentration of creatinine and urea (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.001) respectively. Inhibition of NOS prevented development of renal failure with significant improvement of GFR both before (p < 0.0017) and after (p < 0.003) Ga1N injection. Injection of L-arginine after Ga1N injection did not caused significant improvement of GFR. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed, that genetic factors might be responsible for development of renal failure in course of HRS and nitric oxide play important role in acute model of this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Saracyn
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Health Services, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Patera
- Department of Pathology, Military Institute of Health Services, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Kocik
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Brytan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Zdanowski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Lubas
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Health Services, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kozłowski
- Department of Pathology, Military Institute of Health Services, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zofia Wańkowicz
- Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Health Services, Warsaw, Poland
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Noninvasive evaluation of portal hypertension: emerging tools and techniques. Int J Hepatol 2012; 2012:691089. [PMID: 22720166 PMCID: PMC3376538 DOI: 10.1155/2012/691089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension is the main cause of complications in patients with cirrhosis. However, evaluating the development and progression of portal hypertension represents a challenge for clinicians. There has been considerable focus on the potential role of noninvasive markers of portal hypertension that could be used to stratify patients with respect to the stage of portal hypertension and to monitor disease progression or treatment response in a longitudinal manner without having to undertake repeated invasive assessment. The pathogenesis of portal hypertension is increasingly understood and emerging knowledge of the vascular processes that underpin portal hypertension has paved the way for exploring novel biomarkers of vascular injury, angiogenesis, and endothelial dysfunction. In this paper we focus on the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and potential non-invasive biomarkers with particular emphasis on serum analytes.
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Yang YY, Lee TY, Huang YT, Chan CC, Yeh YC, Lee FY, Lee SD, Lin HC. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) determines the improvement of hepatic endothelial dysfunction by vitamin E in cirrhotic rats. Liver Int 2012; 32:48-57. [PMID: 22098317 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02651.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic endothelial dysfunction (HED), which is caused by decreased hepatic nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased lipid peroxidation, contributes to portal hypertension, which is a characteristic of cirrhosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is involved in cirrhosis-related HED and portal hypertension. AIMS We evaluated the effect of vitamin E treatment on the lipid peroxidation, HED and portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats. METHODS The common bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced cirrhotic rats were treated orally either with vehicle or with vitamin E for 1 month immediately after BDL. Systemic and portal haemodynamics, the magnitude of the increase in portal pressure induced by volume expansion, HED, oxidative stress, levels of ADMA, various proteins and mRNAs were then measured. RESULTS In the vitamin E-treated BDL rats, a decrease in portal pressure was associated with an attenuation of the increased portal pressure induced by volume expansion. In isolated and perfused BDL rat livers, the vitamin E treatment significantly inhibited the (paradoxical) vasoconstriction response to methoxamine and acetylcholine (HED), and this was abolished by the presence of NOS. Vitamin E decreased ADMA synthesizing enzyme PRMT1 expression and the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, while increasing the levels of hepatic ADMA metabolizing enzyme DDAH2, eNOS, phosphor-eNOS, ADMA level and superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSIONS The administration of vitamin E suppressed hepatic ADMA and oxidative stress in the cirrhotic liver circulation, and therefore increases NO bioavailability, which improved HED and portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Yang
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sheen JM, Huang LT, Hsieh CS, Chen CC, Wang JY, Tain YL. Bile duct ligation in developing rats: temporal progression of liver, kidney, and brain damage. J Pediatr Surg 2010; 45:1650-8. [PMID: 20713215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2009.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 12/18/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cholestatic liver disease may result in progressive end-stage liver disease and other extrahepatic complications. We explored the temporal progression of bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced cholestasis in developing rats, focusing on brain cognition and liver and kidney pathology, to elucidate whether these findings were associated with asymmetric dimethylarginine and oxidative stress alterations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three groups of young male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied: one group underwent laparotomy (sham), another group underwent laparotomy and BDL for 2 weeks (BDL2), and a third group underwent laparotomy and BDL for 4 weeks (BDL4). RESULTS The effect of BDL on liver was represented by transforming growth factor beta1 levels and histology activity index scores, which were worse in the BDL4 rats than in the BDL2 rats. BDL4 rats also exhibited more severe spatial memory deficits than BDL2 rats. In addition, renal injury was more progressive in BDL4 rats than in BDL2 rats because BDL4 rats displayed higher Cr levels, elevated tubulointerstitial injury scores, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and symmetric dimethylarginine levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the fact that young BDL rats exhibit similar trends of progression of liver, kidney, and brain damage. Further studies are needed to better delineate the nature of progression of organ damage in young cholestatic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiunn-Ming Sheen
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
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Martell M, Coll M, Ezkurdia N, Raurell I, Genescà J. Physiopathology of splanchnic vasodilation in portal hypertension. World J Hepatol 2010; 2:208-20. [PMID: 21160999 PMCID: PMC2999290 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v2.i6.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 06/09/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In liver cirrhosis, the circulatory hemodynamic alterations of portal hypertension significantly contribute to many of the clinical manifestations of the disease. In the physiopathology of this vascular alteration, mesenteric splanchnic vasodilation plays an essential role by initiating the hemodynamic process. Numerous studies performed in cirrhotic patients and animal models have shown that this splanchnic vasodilation is the result of an important increase in local and systemic vasodilators and the presence of a splanchnic vascular hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors. Among the molecules and factors known to be potentially involved in this arterial vasodilation, nitric oxide seems to have a crucial role in the physiopathology of this vascular alteration. However, none of the wide variety of mediators can be described as solely responsible, since this phenomenon is multifactorial in origin. Moreover, angiogenesis and vascular remodeling processes also seem to play a role. Finally, the sympathetic nervous system is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of the hyperdynamic circulation associated with portal hypertension, although the nature and extent of its role is not completely understood. In this review, we discuss the different mechanisms known to contribute to this complex phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Martell
- María Martell, Mar Coll, Nahia Ezkurdia, Imma Raurell, Joan Genescà, Liver Diseases Laboratory, Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
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Tain YL, Hsieh CS, Chen CC, Sheen JM, Lee CT, Huang LT. Melatonin prevents increased asymmetric dimethylarginine in young rats with bile duct ligation. J Pineal Res 2010; 48:212-221. [PMID: 20210851 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2010.00745.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Identifying and treating kidney injury in cirrhosis is important. Bile duct ligation (BDL) is a commonly used cholestatic liver disease model. We hypothesized that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is involved in BDL-induced oxidative stress and kidney injury, which can be prevented by melatonin. We also intended to elucidate whether increased ADMA is due to increased protein arginine methyltransferase-1 (PRMT1, ADMA-synthesizing enzyme) and/or decreased dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH, ADMA-metabolizing enzyme). Three groups of young rats were studied, sham (N = 7), untreated BDL rats (N = 9), and melatonin-treated BDL rats (N = 6, BDL + M). Melatonin-treated BDL rats received daily melatonin 1 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal injection. One-third of the young BDL rats died compared with none in the BDL + M group. All surviving rats were killed 14 days after surgery. BDL rats had higher plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, direct and total bilirubin, and ammonia levels than shams. They also had kidney injury characterized by increased tubulointerstitial injury scores and plasma creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine levels, which melatonin prevented. Plasma ADMA levels were elevated in BDL rats, combined with increased hepatic PRMT1 and decreased renal DDAH activity. In addition, melatonin increased hepatic DDAH2 expression, increased DDAH activity and concomitantly decreased ADMA contents in both the liver and kidney. In conclusion, melatonin therapy decreased mortality and prevented kidney injury induced by BDL via reduction of ADMA (by increasing DDAH activity) and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Lin Tain
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sung Hsieh
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pingtung Christian Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Ming Sheen
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Te Lee
- Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tung Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Abstract
Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) is an underrecognized complication of portal hypertension, related to cirrhosis and noncirrhotic portal hypertension. PoPH has been found in 5-6% of patients with decompensated liver disease and may adversely affect outcome after liver transplantation. The prevalence of PoPH is unrelated to the severity of liver disease but associated with female sex and underlying autoimmune liver disease. Diagnosis of PoPH is based on screening with Doppler echocardiography and confirmation by right-heart catheterization. Treatment options with proven efficacy in idiopathic pulmonary hypertension include endothelin receptor antagonists, prostanoids, and sildenafil. In PoPH, such targeted treatment was found to be safe in small uncontrolled studies but randomized trials demonstrating its benefit are lacking.
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Witters P, Hoylaerts M, Freson K, de Vos R, van Pelt J, Nevens F, van Geet C, Cassiman D. ADP-degrading enzymes inhibit platelet activation in bile duct-ligated rats. J Thromb Haemost 2010; 8:360-8. [PMID: 19895672 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03684.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of cholestatic liver disease on primary hemostasis function remains ill-defined. OBJECTIVES To determine platelet function and identify the mechanisms involved in the observed platelet function in cholestatic rats. METHODS Platelet function was studied in a model of 2-week bile duct ligation and compared to that in sham-operated rats with and without a storage pool defect. RESULTS ADP-induced and collagen-induced platelet aggregation were clearly impaired following bile duct ligation (P<0.01 for areas under the curve). Crossover experiments, with sham platelets in bile duct-ligated plasma and vice versa, demonstrated that this is due to inhibition by a plasmatic factor, as sham platelets aggregated less in cholestatic plasma (P<0.03) and to an equal extent as platelets from bile duct-ligated rats when they were in the same sham or cholestatic plasma. Moreover, in bile duct-ligated rats, platelet ultrastructure was unaffected and platelet aggregation was similar to that of sham platelets when resuspended in the same plasma (P-value not significant). Additionally, studies in storage pool-deficient rats showed no role of platelet exhaustion. The plasmatic factor causing impaired aggregation was shown to be increased total activity of ADP-degrading enzymes upon bile duct ligation (P<0.01), as there was no decreased aggregation with a stable ADP analog in bile duct-ligated rats (P-value not significant vs. sham-operated rats). Furthermore, preincubation of plasma from bile duct-ligated rats with ADP decreased aggregation more than was seen with sham plasma (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Bile duct ligation does not affect intrinsic platelet function, but impairs platelet activation via release of ADP-degrading enzymes in the circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Witters
- Liver Research Facility, Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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López-Fontal R, Zeini M, Través PG, Gómez-Ferrería M, Aranda A, Sáez GT, Cerdá C, Martín-Sanz P, Hortelano S, Boscá L. Mice lacking thyroid hormone receptor Beta show enhanced apoptosis and delayed liver commitment for proliferation after partial hepatectomy. PLoS One 2010; 5:e8710. [PMID: 20090848 PMCID: PMC2806828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2009] [Accepted: 12/22/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of thyroid hormones and their receptors (TR) during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) was studied using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. Roles in liver regeneration have been suggested for T3, but there is no clear evidence distinguishing the contribution of increased amounts of T3 from the modulation by unoccupied TRs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice lacking TRalpha1/TRbeta or TRbeta alone fully regenerated liver mass after PH, but showed delayed commitment to the initial round of hepatocyte proliferation and transient but intense apoptosis at 48h post-PH, affecting approximately 30% of the remaining hepatocytes. Pharmacologically induced hypothyroidism yielded similar results. Loss of TR activity was associated with enhanced nitrosative stress in the liver remnant, due to an increase in the activity of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 2 and 3, caused by a transient decrease in the concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a potent NOS inhibitor. This decrease in the ADMA levels was due to the presence of a higher activity of dimethylarginineaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH-1) in the regenerating liver of animals lacking TRalpha1/TRbeta or TRbeta. DDAH-1 expression and activity was paralleled by the activity of FXR, a transcription factor involved in liver regeneration and up-regulated in the absence of TR. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We report that TRs are not required for liver regeneration; however, hypothyroid mice and TRbeta- or TRalpha1/TRbeta-deficient mice exhibit a delay in the restoration of liver mass, suggesting a specific role for TRbeta in liver regeneration. Altered regenerative responses are related with a delay in the expression of cyclins D1 and E, and the occurrence of liver apoptosis in the absence of activated TRbeta that can be prevented by administration of NOS inhibitors. Taken together, these results indicate that TRbeta contributes significantly to the rapid initial round of hepatocyte proliferation following PH, and improves the survival of the regenerating liver at later times.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriam Zeini
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paqui G. Través
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ana Aranda
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo T. Sáez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, Spain
| | - Concha Cerdá
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paloma Martín-Sanz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonsoles Hortelano
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (LB); (SH)
| | - Lisardo Boscá
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (LB); (SH)
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Vollmar B, Menger MD. The hepatic microcirculation: mechanistic contributions and therapeutic targets in liver injury and repair. Physiol Rev 2009; 89:1269-339. [PMID: 19789382 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00027.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 352] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex functions of the liver in biosynthesis, metabolism, clearance, and host defense are tightly dependent on an adequate microcirculation. To guarantee hepatic homeostasis, this requires not only a sufficient nutritive perfusion and oxygen supply, but also a balanced vasomotor control and an appropriate cell-cell communication. Deteriorations of the hepatic homeostasis, as observed in ischemia/reperfusion, cold preservation and transplantation, septic organ failure, and hepatic resection-induced hyperperfusion, are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. During the last two decades, experimental studies have demonstrated that microcirculatory disorders are determinants for organ failure in these disease states. Disorders include 1) a dysregulation of the vasomotor control with a deterioration of the endothelin-nitric oxide balance, an arterial and sinusoidal constriction, and a shutdown of the microcirculation as well as 2) an overwhelming inflammatory response with microvascular leukocyte accumulation, platelet adherence, and Kupffer cell activation. Within the sequelae of events, proinflammatory mediators, such as reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, are the key players, causing the microvascular dysfunction and perfusion failure. This review covers the morphological and functional characterization of the hepatic microcirculation, the mechanistic contributions in surgical disease states, and the therapeutic targets to attenuate tissue injury and organ dysfunction. It also indicates future directions to translate the knowledge achieved from experimental studies into clinical practice. By this, the use of the recently introduced techniques to monitor the hepatic microcirculation in humans, such as near-infrared spectroscopy or orthogonal polarized spectral imaging, may allow an early initiation of treatment, which should benefit the final outcome of these critically ill patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Vollmar
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
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Huang LT, Chen CC, Sheen JM, Chen YJ, Hsieh CS, Tain YL. The interaction between high ammonia diet and bile duct ligation in developing rats: assessment by spatial memory and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Int J Dev Neurosci 2009; 28:169-74. [PMID: 19941949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile duct ligation (BDL) in developing rats causes cholestasis, impaired liver function and cognition. Because both nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia are implicated in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), we hypothesized that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous NO synthase inhibitor, and ammonia affect cognition in young rats with BDL. Four groups of young male Sprague-Dawley rats ages 17 days were used: rat underwent laparotomy (SC group), rat underwent laparotomy plus a 30% ammonium acetate diet (SC+HA group), rat underwent BDL (BDL group), rats underwent BDL plus high ammonia diet (BDL+HA group). Spatial memory was assessed by Morris water maze task. Plasma was collected for biochemical and ADMA analyses. Liver and brain cortex were collected for determination of protein arginine methyltransferase-1 (PRMT1, ADMA-synthesizing enzyme) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH, ADMA-metabolizing enzyme). We found BDL group had significantly higher plasma direct/total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, ADMA, liver p22(phox), and worse spatial performance as compared with SC group. High ammonia diet increased plasma ammonia and ADMA concentration, and aggravated spatial deficit in the presence of BDL-induced cholestasis. We conclude plasma ADMA plays a role in BDL-induced spatial deficit. High ammonia aggravated the spatial deficits encountered in cholestatic young rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tung Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
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Lebrec D, Moreau R. [Progress in portal hypertension]. GASTROENTEROLOGIE CLINIQUE ET BIOLOGIQUE 2009; 33:799-810. [PMID: 19540688 DOI: 10.1016/j.gcb.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, the mechanisms responsible for circulatory modifications are well-known. An elevation in intrahepatic vascular resistance related to a hepatic endothelin hyperproduction and an arterial nitric oxide (NO) hyperproduction. The presence and the degree of portal hypertension might be determined by the measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient but non-invasive technique as FibroTest or FibroScan might be useful to estimate the presence of severe portal hypertension. Numerous substances decrease portal pressure either by reducing hepatic vascular resistance or by reducing portal tributary blood flow. The combination of both types of substances is probably the best pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension but further hemodynamic and clinical studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lebrec
- Inserm U773, Centre de Recherche Bichat-Beaujon CRB3, 75018 Paris, France.
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Van Landeghem L, Laleman W, Vander Elst I, Zeegers M, van Pelt J, Cassiman D, Nevens F. Carbon monoxide produced by intrasinusoidally located haem-oxygenase-1 regulates the vascular tone in cirrhotic rat liver. Liver Int 2009; 29:650-60. [PMID: 18795901 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01857.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Carbon monoxide (CO) produced by haem-oxygenase isoforms (HO-1 & HO-2) is involved in the regulation of systemic vascular tone. We aimed to elucidate the vasoregulatory role of CO in the microcirculation in normal and thioacetamide cirrhotic rat livers. METHODS Haem-oxygenase expression was examined by Western blot. Total HO enzymatic activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Sensitivity of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to CO-mediated relaxation was studied by a stress-relaxed-collagen-lattice model. To define the relative role of CO, the CO-releasing molecule CORM-2, the HO-inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin-IX and the HO-1 inducer hemin were added to an in situ liver perfusion set-up. The topography of vasoactive CO production was evaluated by applying different CO- and nitric oxide-trapping reagents in the liver perfusion set-up and by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Western blot showed decreased expression of both HO isoenzymes (P<0.036 for HO-1; P<0.001 for HO-2) in cirrhotic vs normal rat livers, confirmed by the HO-activity assay (P=0.004). HSCs relaxed on exposure to CORM-2 (P=0.013). The increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) of cirrhotic rats was attenuated by perfusion with CORM-2 (P=0.016) and pretreatment with hemin (P<0.001). Inhibition of HO caused a dose-related increase in IHVR in normal and cirrhotic liver. In normal liver, the haemodynamically relevant CO production occurred extrasinusoidally, while intrasinusoidally HO-1 predominantly regulated the microcirculation in cirrhotic livers. CONCLUSION We demonstrate a role for CO and HO in the regulation of normal and cirrhotic microcirculation. These findings are of importance in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension and establish CO/HO as novel treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van Landeghem
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium
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Richir MC, Bouwman RH, Teerlink T, Siroen MPC, de Vries TPGM, van Leeuwen PAM. The prominent role of the liver in the elimination of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and the consequences of impaired hepatic function. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2009; 32:613-21. [PMID: 18974239 DOI: 10.1177/0148607108321702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme which converts the amino acid arginine into nitric oxide (NO). ADMA has been identified as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Besides the role of ADMA in cardiovascular diseases, it also seems to be an important determinant in the development of critical illness, (multiple) organ failure, and the hepatorenal syndrome. ADMA is eliminated from the body by urinary excretion, but it is mainly metabolized by the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) enzymes that convert ADMA into citrulline and dimethylamine. DDAH is highly expressed in the liver, which makes the liver a key organ in the regulation of the plasma ADMA concentration. The prominent role of the liver in the elimination of ADMA and the consequences of impaired hepatic function on ADMA levels will be discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan C Richir
- Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Siroen MPC, Wiest R, Richir MC, Teerlink T, Rauwerda JA, Drescher FT, Zorger N, Leeuwen PAMV. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt-placement increases arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine ratio in cirrhotic patients. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14:7214-9. [PMID: 19084936 PMCID: PMC2776879 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.7214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To analyze the change of dimethylarginine plasma levels in cirrhotic patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).
METHODS: To determine arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and nitric oxide (NO) plasma levels, blood samples were collected from the superior cava, hepatic, and portal vein just before, directly after, and 3 mo after TIPS-placement.
RESULTS: A significant increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement was shown. Moreover, TIPS placement enhanced renal function and thereby decreased systemic SDMA levels. In patients with renal dysfunction before TIPS placement, both the arginine/ADMA ratio and creatinine clearance rate increased significantly, while this was not the case in patients with normal renal function before TIPS placement. Hepatic function did not change significantly after TIPS placement and no significant decline in ADMA plasma levels was measured.
CONCLUSION: The increase of the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement suggests an increase in intracellular NO bioavailability. In addition, this study suggests that TIPS placement does not alter dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity and confirms the major role of the liver as an ADMA clearing organ.
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Modulation of regional nitric oxide metabolism: Blood glucose control or insulin? Intensive Care Med 2008; 34:1525-33. [DOI: 10.1007/s00134-008-1118-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2007] [Accepted: 03/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Abstract
Increased intrahepatic resistance is the initial event to the increased portal pressure and development portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Narrowing of the sinusoids due to anatomic changes is the main component of the increased intrahepatic resistance. However, a dynamic component is also involved in the increased vascular tone in cirrhosis. The imbalance between the hyperresponsiveness and overproduction of vasoconstrictors (mainly endothelin-1 and cyclooxygenase-derived prostaglandins) and the hyporesponsiveness and impaired production of vasodilators [mainly nitric oxide (NO)] are the mechanisms responsible of the increased vascular tone in the sinusoidal/postsinusoidal area. In contrast, the vascular resistance in the hepatic artery, which is determined in the presinusoidal area, is decreased due to increased vasodilators (NO and adenosine). This suggests different availabilities of NO in the intrahepatic circulation with preserved production in the presinusoidal area and impaired production in the sinusoidal/postsinusoidal area.
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Abstract
Portal hypertension is associated with changes in the intrahepatic, systemic, and portosystemic collateral circulation. Alterations in vasoreactivity (vasodilation and vasoconstriction) play a central role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension by contributing to increased intrahepatic resistance, hyperdynamic circulation, and expansion of the collateral circulation. Portal hypertension is also importantly characterized by changes in vascular structure; termed vascular remodeling, which is an adaptive response of the vessel wall that occurs in response to chronic changes in the environment such as shear stress. These complementary processes of vasoreactivity and vascular remodeling contribute importantly to increased intrahepatic resistance and represent important targets in the treatment of portal hypertension. This review will focus on these processes within the intrahepatic circulation, a circulatory bed whose study, that Dr Roberto Groszmann has pioneered.
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