Increased hepatic acylcarnitines after oral administration of amiodarone in rats

Bio-spectroscopic investigation linking changes of retinal structure with short-term administration of Amiodarone and revealing the ameliorative effect of vitamin E supplementation

Long term use of Amiodarone (AMIO) is associated with the development of ocular adverse effects. This study investigates the short term effects, and the ameliorative consequence of vitamin E on retinal changes that were associated with administration of AMIO. This is accomplished by investigating both retinal structural and conformational characteristics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Fundus examination. Three groups of healthy rabbits of both sexes were used; the first group served as control. The second group was orally treated with AMIO (160 mg /kg body weight) in a daily basis for two weeks. The last group orally received AMIO as the second group for two weeks then, oral administration of vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight) for another two weeks as well. FTIR results revealed significant structural and conformational changes in retinal tissue constituents that include lipids and proteins due to AMIO administration. AMIO treatment was associated with fluctuated changes (increased/decreased) in the band position and bandwidth of NH, OH, and CH bonds. This was concomitant with changes in the percentage of retinal protein constituents in particularly α-helix and Turns. AMIO facilitates the formation of intra-molecular hydrogen bonding and turned retinal lipids to be more disordered structure. In conclusion, the obtained FTIR data together with principal component analysis provide evidence that administration of vitamin E following the treatment with AMIO can ameliorate these retinal changes and, these biophysical changes are too early to be detected by Fundus examination.

Liraglutide Exerts Protective Effects by Downregulation of PPARγ, ACSL1 and SREBP-1c in Huh7 Cell Culture Models of Non-Alcoholic Steatosis and Drug-Induced Steatosis

(1) Background: With the aging of the population and polypharmacy encountered in the elderly, drug-induced steatosis (DIS) has become frequent cause of non-alcoholic steatosis (NAS). Indeed, NAS and DIS may co-exist, making the ability to distinguish between the entities ever more important. The aim of our study was to study cell culture models of NAS and DIS and determine the effects of liraglutide (LIRA) in those models. (2) Methods: Huh7 cells were treated with oleic acid (OA), or amiodarone (AMD) to establish models of NAS and DIS, respectively. Cells were treated with LIRA and cell viability was assessed by MTT, lipid accumulation by Oil-Red-O staining and triglyceride assay, and intracellular signals involved in hepatosteatosis were quantitated by RT-PCR. (3) Results: After exposure to various OA and AMD concentrations, those that achieved 80% of cells viabilities were used in further experiments to establish NAS and DIS models using 0.5 mM OA and 20 µM AMD, respectively. In both models, LIRA increased cell viability (p < 0.01). Lipid accumulation was increased in both models, with microsteatotic pattern in DIS, and macrosteatotic pattern in NAS which corresponds to greater triglyceride accumulation in latter. LIRA ameliorated these changes (p < 0.001), and downregulated expression of lipogenic ACSL1, PPARγ, and SREBP-1c pathways in the liver (p < 0.01) (4) Conclusions: LIRA ameliorates hepatocyte steatosis in Huh7 cell culture models of NAS and DIS.

Drug-induced Fatty Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Treatment

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (commonly known as MAFLD) impacts global health in epidemic proportions, and the resulting morbidity, mortality and economic burden is enormous. While much attention has been given to metabolic syndrome and obesity as offending factors, a growing incidence of polypharmacy, especially in the elderly, has greatly increased the risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in general, and drug-induced fatty liver disease (DIFLD) in particular. This review focuses on the contribution of DIFLD to DILI in terms of epidemiology, pathophysiology, the most common drugs associated with DIFLD, and treatment strategies.

The protective potential of alpha lipoic acid on amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis and hepatic injury in rats

Amiodarone (AMD) is a widely used antiarrhythmic drug prescribed to treat cardiac tachyarrhythmias; however, AMD has been reported to provoke pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and hepatotoxicity. This study aimed to investigate the influence of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on AMD-induced PF and hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. AMD administration resulted in elevated lung contents of hydroxyproline (Hyp), malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased serum levels of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and glucose. On the other side, lung content of glutathione reduced (GSH) and serum levels of total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) were significantly decreased. Histopathologically, AMD caused PF, produced a mild hepatic injury, and increased expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Treatment with ALA produced a significant reversal of the oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammation parameters with reductions in α-SMA expressions, leading to amelioration of histopathological lesions. ALA might provide supportive therapy in AMD-receiving cardiovascular patients.