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Sun Y, Liu T, Zhao X. Progress in the Study of Chemical Structure and Pharmacological Effects of Total Paeony Glycosides Isolated from Radix Paeoniae Rubra. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:10065-10086. [PMID: 39329953 PMCID: PMC11430570 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2024] [Revised: 09/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Radix paeoniae rubra, known as red peony root, is derived from the dried roots of Paeonia lactiflora pall or Paeonia veitchii lynch from the Ranunculaceae family. It is recognized for its properties of clearing heat, cooling blood, dispelling stasis, and alleviating pain, making it one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Total paeony glycosides (TPGs) are identified as the principal active constituents of Radix paeoniae rubra, comprising monoterpenoid compounds with a cage-like pinane structure and monoterpenoids with a lactone structure. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of TPGs, with the aim of elucidating their relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumu Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 24 Heping Road, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Taiyu Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 24 Heping Road, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xueying Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 24 Heping Road, Harbin 150040, China
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Costanti-Nascimento AC, Brelaz-Abreu L, Bragança-Jardim E, Pereira WDO, Camara NOS, Amano MT. Physical exercise as a friend not a foe in acute kidney diseases through immune system modulation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212163. [PMID: 37928533 PMCID: PMC10623152 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regular and moderate exercise is being used for therapeutic purposes in treating several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and even chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Conversely, extenuating physical exercise has long been pointed out as one of the sources of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to its severe impact on the body's physiology. AKI development is associated with increased tubular necrosis, which initiates a cascade of inflammatory responses. The latter involves cytokine production, immune cell (macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, among others) activation, and increased oxidative stress. AKI can induce prolonged fibrosis stimulation, leading to CKD development. The need for therapeutic alternative treatments for AKI is still a relevant issue. In this context arises the question as to whether moderate, not extenuating, exercise could, on some level, prevent AKI. Several studies have shown that moderate exercise can help reduce tissue damage and increase the functional recovery of the kidneys after an acute injury. In particular, the immune system can be modulated by exercise, leading to a better recovery from different pathologies. In this review, we aimed to explore the role of exercise not as a trigger of AKI, but as a modulator of the inflammatory/immune system in the prevention or recovery from AKI in different scenarios. In AKI induced by ischemia and reperfusion, sepsis, diabetes, antibiotics, or chemotherapy, regular and/or moderate exercise could modulate the immune system toward a more regulatory immune response, presenting, in general, an anti-inflammatory profile. Exercise was shown to diminish oxidative stress, inflammatory markers (caspase-3, lactate dehydrogenase, and nitric oxide), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), modulate lymphocytes to an immune suppressive phenotype, and decrease tumor necrosis factor-β (TGF-β), a cytokine associated with fibrosis development. Thus, it creates an AKI recovery environment with less tissue damage, hypoxia, apoptosis, or fibrosis. In conclusion, the practice of regular moderate physical exercise has an impact on the immune system, favoring a regulatory and anti-inflammatory profile that prevents the occurrence of AKI and/or assists in the recovery from AKI. Moderate exercise should be considered for patients with AKI as a complementary therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Costanti-Nascimento
- Instituto Sírio-Libanês de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonilia Brelaz-Abreu
- Instituto Sírio-Libanês de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Welbert de Oliveira Pereira
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariane Tami Amano
- Instituto Sírio-Libanês de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Oncologia Clínica e Experimental, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Peng LT, Li DL, Yang DX, Peng B. Taurine promotes Oreochromis niloticus survival against Edwardsiella tarda infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 129:137-144. [PMID: 36055557 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Edwardsiella tarda represents one of the most important pathogens that infects a variety of hosts including aquatic animals and humans. The outbreak of E. tarda infection is frequently reported in aquaculture that causes huge economic loss. Due to the widespread of antibiotic resistance, available antibiotics to treat bacterial infection are limited. Therefore, enhancing aquatic animals to survive upon E. tarda infection become an urgent issue. In this study, we profiled the metabolomic change of tilapia in-between the dying and survival fish upon E. tarda infection. The dying and survival fish mounts differential metabolic response, from which we identify a key metabolite, taurine, whose abundance is increased in both the survival group and the dying group but is more significant in the survival group. Exogenous taurine increases tilapia survival rate by 37.5% upon E. tarda infection. Further quantitative PCR analysis demonstrate taurine increases the expression of immune genes in liver, spleen and head kidney. Therefore, our study shows a new strategy to enhance fish immune response against bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liao-Tian Peng
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - De-Li Li
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Dai-Xiao Yang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Bo Peng
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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4
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Surai PF, Earle-Payne K, Kidd MT. Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Protective Action in Various Toxicological Models. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1876. [PMID: 34942978 PMCID: PMC8698923 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10121876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural antioxidants have received tremendous attention over the last 3 decades. At the same time, the attitude to free radicals is slowly changing, and their signalling role in adaptation to stress has recently received a lot of attention. Among many different antioxidants in the body, taurine (Tau), a sulphur-containing non-proteinogenic β-amino acid, is shown to have a special place as an important natural modulator of the antioxidant defence networks. Indeed, Tau is synthesised in most mammals and birds, and the Tau requirement is met by both synthesis and food/feed supply. From the analysis of recent data, it could be concluded that the direct antioxidant effect of Tau due to scavenging free radicals is limited and could be expected only in a few mammalian/avian tissues (e.g., heart and eye) with comparatively high (>15-20 mM) Tau concentrations. The stabilising effects of Tau on mitochondria, a prime site of free radical formation, are characterised and deserve more attention. Tau deficiency has been shown to compromise the electron transport chain in mitochondria and significantly increase free radical production. It seems likely that by maintaining the optimal Tau status of mitochondria, it is possible to control free radical production. Tau's antioxidant protective action is of great importance in various stress conditions in human life, and is related to commercial animal and poultry production. In various in vitro and in vivo toxicological models, Tau showed AO protective effects. The membrane-stabilizing effects, inhibiting effects on ROS-producing enzymes, as well as the indirect AO effects of Tau via redox balance maintenance associated with the modulation of various transcription factors (e.g., Nrf2 and NF-κB) and vitagenes could also contribute to its protective action in stress conditions, and thus deserve more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter F. Surai
- Vitagene and Health Research Centre, Bristol BS4 2RS, UK
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
- Biochemistry and Physiology Department, Saint-Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine, 196084 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Szent Istvan University, H-2103 Gödöllo, Hungary
| | - Katie Earle-Payne
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Centre, 10 Ferry Road, Renfrew PA4 8RU, UK;
| | - Michael T. Kidd
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
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Thivya P, Ramya R, Wilson J. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/taurine biocomposite on screen printed electrode: Non-enzymatic cholesterol biosensor. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.105037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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6
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Chen S, Zhang CL, Zhou XF, Gao Y, Chen H, Fu BD, Yi PF, Shen HQ. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of helicid protect against CCl 4 induced acute liver injury in mice. Biotech Histochem 2020; 95:483-489. [PMID: 32067515 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2020.1718210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute liver injury can be caused by chemicals and can lead to liver failure. We investigated the protective effect of helicid (HEL) on acute liver injury caused by CCl4 in mice. We found that ALT and AST levels as well as hepatic pathological damage in mice treated with CCl4 was increased significantly, while the effects were decreased by HEL treatment. HEL treatment increased the activity of T-SOD, GSH and CAT and reduced the level of MDA in CCl4 treated mice. HEL improved the histopathology of liver caused by CCl4. HEL also reduced TNF-α, IL-1β and IL- 6 activity caused by CCl4. We investigated the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB protein and found that HEL can alleviate liver damage via the NF-κB signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that HEL protects against acute liver injury induced by CCl4. The protective effect of HEL appears to be due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties through the NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Chun-Lei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Yu Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Hao Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Ben-Dong Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Peng-Fei Yi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Hai-Qing Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
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Natural Sulfur-Containing Compounds: An Alternative Therapeutic Strategy against Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111356. [PMID: 31671675 PMCID: PMC6929087 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathophysiologic process involving the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins as collagen deposition. Advanced liver fibrosis can evolve in cirrhosis, portal hypertension and often requires liver transplantation. At the cellular level, hepatic fibrosis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells and their transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts. Numerous pro-fibrogenic mediators including the transforming growth factor-β1, the platelet-derived growth factor, endothelin-1, toll-like receptor 4, and reactive oxygen species are key players in this process. Knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis development need to be extended to find novel therapeutic strategies. Antifibrotic therapies aim to inhibit the accumulation of fibrogenic cells and/or prevent the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Natural products from terrestrial and marine sources, including sulfur-containing compounds, exhibit promising activities for the treatment of fibrotic pathology. Although many therapeutic interventions are effective in experimental models of liver fibrosis, their efficacy and safety in humans are largely unknown. This review aims to provide a reference collection on experimentally tested natural anti-fibrotic compounds, with particular attention on sulfur-containing molecules. Their chemical structure, sources, mode of action, molecular targets, and pharmacological activity in the treatment of liver disease will be discussed.
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Caussy C, Ajmera VH, Puri P, Li-Shin Hsu C, Bassirian S, Mgdsyan M, Singh S, Faulkner C, Valasek MA, Rizo E, Richards L, Brenner DA, Sirlin CB, Sanyal AJ, Loomba R. Serum metabolites detect the presence of advanced fibrosis in derivation and validation cohorts of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Gut 2019; 68:1884-1892. [PMID: 30567742 PMCID: PMC8328048 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Non-invasive and accurate diagnostic tests for the screening of disease severity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain a major unmet need. Therefore, we aimed to examine if a combination of serum metabolites can accurately predict the presence of advanced fibrosis. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective derivation cohort including 156 well-characterised patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and two validation cohorts, including (1) 142 patients assessed using MRI elastography (MRE) and(2) 59 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD with untargeted serum metabolome profiling. RESULTS In the derivation cohort, 23 participants (15%) had advanced fibrosis and 32 of 652 analysed metabolites were significantly associated with advanced fibrosis after false-discovery rate adjustment. Among the top 10 metabolites, 8 lipids (5alpha-androstan-3beta monosulfate, pregnanediol-3-glucuronide, androsterone sulfate, epiandrosterone sulfate, palmitoleate, dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate, 5alpha-androstan-3beta disulfate, glycocholate), one amino acid (taurine) and one carbohydrate (fucose) were identified. The combined area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the top 10 metabolite panel was higher than FIB--4 and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) for the detection of advanced fibrosis: 0.94 (95% CI 0.897 to 0.982) versus 0.78 (95% CI0.674 to 0.891), p=0.002 and versus 0.84 (95% CI 0.724 to 0.929), p=0.017, respectively. The AUROC of the top 10 metabolite panel remained excellent in the independent validation cohorts assessed by MRE or liver biopsy: c-statistic of 0.94 and 0.84, respectively. CONCLUSION A combination of 10 serum metabolites demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability for the detection of advanced fibrosis in an derivation and two independent validation cohorts with greater diagnostic accuracy than the FIB-4-index and NFS. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that a non-invasive blood-based diagnostic test can provide excellent performance characteristics for the detection of advanced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrielle Caussy
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA,Université Lyon 1, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, California, France
| | - Veeral H Ajmera
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Puneet Puri
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Shirin Bassirian
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mania Mgdsyan
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Seema Singh
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Claire Faulkner
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mark A Valasek
- Department of Pathology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Emily Rizo
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lisa Richards
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - David A Brenner
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Claude B Sirlin
- Liver Imaging Group, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Arun J Sanyal
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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TGF-β1 signaling activates hepatic stellate cells through Notch pathway. Cytotechnology 2019; 71:881-891. [PMID: 31372876 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-019-00329-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as the most important stromal cells in the liver microenvironment, play crucial roles in hepatic fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver regeneration and fetal liver development after transdifferentiating into myofibroblasts (MFs). Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), as an important polyergic cytokine, is involved in HSCs activation process. However, the specific mechanisms of HSCs transdifferentiation process are not clearly demonstrated. Here we added exogenous recombinant TGF-β1 protein and transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGF-βR1) inhibitor SB431542 into mouse HSCs to detect the detailed impact of TGF-β1 signaling on HSCs activation. TGF-β1 signaling significantly increased phosphorylated (P)-Smad2/3 level and promoted Smad2/3 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, which also caused transdifferentiation of HSCs into MFs. Importantly, TGF-β1 signaling also resulted in high expression of Notch pathway markers Notch1, Jagged1, Hes1 in HSCs. In contrast, expression of those above markers in mouse HSCs were obviously decreased after hampering TGF-β1 signaling via TGF-βR1 inhibitor SB431542. To further examine the effect of Notch pathway on HSCs activation process, TGF-β1-stimulated HSCs and control HSCs were treated with or without LY450139, a specific inhibitor of Notch pathway. LY450139 evidently decreased the expression of Notch1 and MFs marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in HSCs. These above results may provide a novel insight that TGF-β1 signaling controls HSCs activation process through regulating the expression of Notch pathway markers.
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Liang XQ, Liang J, Zhao XF, Wang XY, Deng X. Integrated network analysis of transcriptomic and protein-protein interaction data in taurine-treated hepatic stellate cells. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:1067-1079. [PMID: 30862995 PMCID: PMC6406182 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i9.1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies show that the antifibrotic mechanism of taurine may involve its inhibition of the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Since the molecular mechanism of taurine-mediated antifibrotic activity has not been fully unveiled and is little studied, it is imperative to use “omics” methods to systematically investigate the molecular mechanism by which taurine inhibits liver fibrosis.
AIM To establish a network including transcriptomic and protein-protein interaction data to elucidate the molecular mechanism of taurine-induced HSC apoptosis.
METHODS We used microarrays, bioinformatics, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and sub-modules to investigate taurine-induced changes in gene expression in human HSCs (LX-2). Subsequently, all of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subjected to gene ontology function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the interactions of DEGs were explored in a human PPI network, and sub-modules of the DEGs interaction network were analyzed using Cytoscape software.
RESULTS A total of 635 DEGs were identified in taurine-treated HSCs when compared with the controls. Of these, 304 genes were statistically significantly up-regulated, and 331 down-regulated. Most of these DEGs were mainly located on the membrane and extracellular region, and are involved in the biological processes of signal transduction, cell proliferation, positive regulation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 cascade, extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway and so on. Fifteen significantly enriched pathways with DEGs were identified, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway and so on. By integrating the transcriptomics and human PPI data, nine critical genes, including MMP2, MMP9, MMP21, TIMP3, KLF10, CX3CR1, TGFB1, VEGFB, and EGF, were identified in the PPI network analysis.
CONCLUSION Taurine promotes the apoptosis of HSCs via up-regulating TGFB1 and then activating the p38 MAPK-JNK-Caspase9/8/3 pathway. These findings enhance the understanding of the molecular mechanism of taurine-induced HSC apoptosis and provide references for liver disorder therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Qiu Liang
- Department of Science and Technology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jian Liang
- College of Medical, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Zhao
- Department of Science and Technology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Wang
- School of Basic Sciences, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xin Deng
- School of Basic Sciences, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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11
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Ahmad SB, Rehman MU, Fatima B, Ahmad B, Hussain I, Ahmad SP, Farooq A, Muzamil S, Razzaq R, Rashid SM, Ahmad Bhat S, Mir MUR. Antifibrotic effects of D-limonene (5(1-methyl-4-[1-methylethenyl]) cyclohexane) in CCl 4 induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:361-369. [PMID: 29251412 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the potential antifibrotic effect of D-Limonene-a component of volatile oils extracted from citrus plants. D-limonene is reported to have numerous therapeutic properties. CCl4 -intduced model of liver fibrosis in Wistar rats is most widely used model to study chemopreventive studies. CCl4 -intoxication significantly increased serum aminotransferases and total cholesterol these effects were prevented by cotreatment with D-Limonene. Also, CCl4 -intoxication caused depletion of glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes while D-Limonene preserved them within normal values. Hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde content was increased markedly by CCl4 treatment while D-Limonene prevented these alterations. Levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, and α-SMA were also assessed; CCl4 increased the expression of α-SMA, NF-κB and other downstream inflammatory cascade while D-Limonene co-treatment inhibited them. Collectively these findings indicate that D-Limonene possesses potent antifibrotic effect which may be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh Bilal Ahmad
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Muneeb U Rehman
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Bilques Fatima
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Bilal Ahmad
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Ishraq Hussain
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Sheikh Pervaiz Ahmad
- Department of Statistics, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Adil Farooq
- RAKCOPS, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras AL Khaimah, UAE-11172
| | - Showkeen Muzamil
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Rahil Razzaq
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Shahzada Mudasir Rashid
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Showkat Ahmad Bhat
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Manzoor Ur Rahman Mir
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
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12
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The Effect of Taurine on the Recovery from Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Males. Antioxidants (Basel) 2017; 6:antiox6040079. [PMID: 29039798 PMCID: PMC5745489 DOI: 10.3390/antiox6040079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Eccentric exercise is known to bring about microstructural damage to muscle, initiating an inflammatory cascade involving various reactive oxygen species. This, in turn, can significantly impair physical performance over subsequent days. Taurine, a powerful endogenous antioxidant, has previously been shown to have a beneficial effect on muscle damage markers and recovery when taken for a few days to several weeks prior to eccentric exercise. However, to date no studies have looked at the effects of supplementing over the days following eccentric exercise on performance recovery. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether supplementing with taurine over three days following eccentric exercise attenuated the rise in serum creatine kinase and improved performance recovery in males. In a blinded, randomized, crossover design, ten recreationally-fit male participants completed 60 eccentric contractions of the biceps brachii muscle at maximal effort. Following this, participants were supplemented with 0.1 g∙kg−1 body weight∙day−1 of either taurine or rice flour in capsules. Over the next three mornings participants underwent blood tests for the analysis of the muscle damage marker creatine kinase and carried out performance measures on the isokinetic dynamometer. They also continued to consume the capsules in the morning and evening. The entire protocol was repeated two weeks later on the alternate arm and supplement. Significant decreases were seen in all performance measures from pre- to 24-h post-eccentric exercise (p < 0.001) for both taurine and placebo, indicating the attainment of muscle damage. Significant treatment effects were observed only for peak eccentric torque (p < 0.05). No significant time × treatment effects were observed (all p > 0.05). Serum creatine kinase levels did not significantly differ over time for either treatments, nor between treatments (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that taurine supplementation taken twice daily for 72 h following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage may help improve eccentric performance recovery of the biceps brachii.
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Al-Rasheed NM, El-Orabi NF, Fadda LM, Ali HM, Al-Rasheed NM, Bassiouni Y, Aldbass AM. Role of Different Natural Antioxidants in the Modulation of mRNA-expression of Apoptotic Molecules in the Livers of Carbon Tetrachloride-Intoxicated Rats. Anim Biotechnol 2017; 28:253-259. [PMID: 28103144 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2016.1268621] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of nuclear factor (NF-κB) or activation of Smad3 by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1) induced by oncogenes results in overexpression of fibrotic processes and hence cell death. The objective of this study is to examine whether Silymarin (Sil) alone or in combination with Vitamin E (Vit E) and/or Curcumin (Cur) plays a modulatory role against the overexpression of NF-κB, and TGF-β that induced in response to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. The present work revealed that CCl4 induced elevation of in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Apoptosis regulator (Bax), Smad3, TGF-β, and NF-kB hepatic mRNA expression (using Real-time PCR), administration of Sil alone downregulated these expressions. Treatment with Vit E acid and/ or Cur along with Sil produced best results in this concern. B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expressions were downregulated by CCl4; whereas concurrent treatment of Vit E and/or Cur along with Sil increased its expression. On conclusion, the use of Vit E and/or Cur could potentiate the antiapoptotic action of Sil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf M Al-Rasheed
- a Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Naglaa F El-Orabi
- a Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,b Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy , Suez Canal University , Ismailia , Egypt
| | - Laila Mohamed Fadda
- a Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanaa Mahmoud Ali
- c Department of Genetics and Cytology , National Research Center , Dokki , Egypt.,d Preparatory Year Deanship , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal M Al-Rasheed
- a Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yieldez Bassiouni
- a Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer Mohammad Aldbass
- e Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science , King Saud University , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Han XY, Hu JN, Wang Z, Wei SN, Zheng SW, Wang YP, Li W. 5-HMF Attenuates Liver Fibrosis in CCl 4-Plus-Alcohol-Induced Mice by Suppression of Oxidative Stress. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2017; 63:35-43. [PMID: 28367924 DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.63.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and alcohol. Male ICR mice were treated with CCl4 dissolved in olive oil (10% v/v, 2.5 μg/L) intraperitoneally (i.p.), and given at a dose of 2.5×10-5 mg/kg B.W. twice a week for 7 wk. Concurrently, mice received drinking water with or without alcohol. The mice in treatment groups and positive control group were gavaged with 5-HMF (7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg B.W.) or Huganpian (350 mg/kg B.W.) daily starting in the fourth week and lasting for 4 wk. The blood samples were analyzed for biochemical markers of hepatic injury and tissue samples were subjected for estimation of liver antioxidants and histopathological studies. The concentrations of HA (hyaluronic acid), LN (laminin), CIV (collagen type IV), and MDA (malondialdehyde), as well as the serum levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) were markedly reduced by 5-HMF. On the other hand, enzymatic antioxidants SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) were markedly elevated in liver tissue treated with 5-HMF. Histopathological examination revealed that 5-HMF treatment noticeably prevented hepatocyte apoptosis, fatty degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and alcohol. Hoechst 33258 staining also revealed hepatocyte apoptosis. 5-HMF could exert protective effects against liver injury and reduce liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and alcohol in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yue Han
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University
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15
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Zhao J, Hu H, Wan Y, Zhang Y, Zheng L, Hong Z. Pien Tze Huang Gan Bao ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury, oxidative stress and inflammation in rats. Exp Ther Med 2017; 13:1820-1826. [PMID: 28565773 PMCID: PMC5443228 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver damage results from a variety of insults, including hepatitis and chemical toxicity from alcohol, drugs and other toxins. The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects and potential mechanisms of action of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Pien Tze Huang Gan Bao (GB) in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six different groups: i) Control, ii) CCl4 injury model and groups treated with iii) silymarin as a positive drug control, iv) 150 mg/kg GB, v) 300 mg/kg GB and vi) 600 mg/kg GB. Control rats received no treatment, while the remaining ones were intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 (2 ml/kg) to induce acute liver disease. Silymarin or GB was orally administered prior to CCl4 treatment in various treatment groups for 7 days. Animals were sacrificed 24 h post-CCl4 injection. It was revealed that GB significantly reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and total bilirubin levels in the serum induced by CCl4. BG also prevented CCl4-induced changes in liver tissues, as revealed by histopathological analysis. CCl4-induced reductions in endogenous liver antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase as well as increases in malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were inhibited by GB treatment. Activated NF-κB in liver tissues was also significantly increased by CCl4, which was attenuated by GB as indicated by immunohistochemical and PCR analysis. Furthermore, CCl4-mediated increases in the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1β secretion into the serum and their expression in liver tissues were reversed following GB treatment, as revealed by ELISA and PCR, respectively. These findings suggested that GB protects against CCl4-induced hepatic injury, inflammation and oxidative damage in rats and may be useful in future clinical application of liver injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyan Zhao
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Haixia Hu
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Yun Wan
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Liangpu Zheng
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Zhenfeng Hong
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
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Haretskaya MV, Sheibak VM. Hepatoprotective properties of taurine during carbon tetrachloride intoxication. BIOCHEMISTRY MOSCOW-SUPPLEMENT SERIES B-BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990750814040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Khan RA, Khan MR, Sahreen S. CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity: protective effect of rutin on p53, CYP2E1 and the antioxidative status in rat. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 12:178. [PMID: 23043521 PMCID: PMC3519517 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rutin is a polyphenolic natural flavonoid which possesses antioxidant and anticancer activity. In the present study the hepatoprotective effect of rutin was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injuries in rats. METHODS AND MATERIALS 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats were equally divided into 4 groups for the assessment of hepatoprotective potential of rutin. Rats of group I (control) received only vehicles; 1 ml/kg bw of saline (0.85%) and olive oil (3 ml/kg) and had free access to food and water. Rats of group II, III and IV were treated with CCl₄ (30% in olive oil, 3 ml/kg bw) via the intraperitoneal route twice a week for four weeks. The rutin at the doses of 50 and 70 mg/kg were administered intragastrically after 48 h of CCl₄ treatment to group III and IV, respectively. Protective effect of rutin on serum enzyme level, lipid profile, activities of antioxidant enzymes and molecular markers were calculated in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. RESULTS Rutin showed significant protection with the depletion of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) in serum as was raised by the induction of CCl₄. Concentration of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins was increased while high-density lipoprotein was decreased with rutin in a dose dependent manner. Activity level of endogenous liver antioxidant enzymes; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) and glutathione (GSH) contents were increased while lipid peroxidation (TBARS) was decreased dose dependently with rutin. Moreover, increase in DNA fragmentation and oxo8dG damages while decrease in p53 and CYP 2E1 expression induced with CCl₄ was restored with the treatment of rutin. CONCLUSION From these results, it is suggested that rutin possesses hepatoprotective properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahmat A Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad R Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sumaira Sahreen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Botanical Science Divisions, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Christophersen OA. Radiation protection following nuclear power accidents: a survey of putative mechanisms involved in the radioprotective actions of taurine during and after radiation exposure. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2012; 23:14787. [PMID: 23990836 PMCID: PMC3747764 DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v23i0.14787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
There are several animal experiments showing that high doses of ionizing radiation lead to strongly enhanced leakage of taurine from damaged cells into the extracellular fluid, followed by enhanced urinary excretion. This radiation-induced taurine depletion can itself have various harmful effects (as will also be the case when taurine depletion is due to other causes, such as alcohol abuse or cancer therapy with cytotoxic drugs), but taurine supplementation has been shown to have radioprotective effects apparently going beyond what might be expected just as a consequence of correcting the harmful consequences of taurine deficiency per se. The mechanisms accounting for the radioprotective effects of taurine are, however, very incompletely understood. In this article an attempt is made to survey various mechanisms that potentially might be involved as parts of the explanation for the overall beneficial effect of high levels of taurine that has been found in experiments with animals or isolated cells exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation. It is proposed that taurine may have radioprotective effects by a combination of several mechanisms: (1) during the exposure to ionizing radiation by functioning as an antioxidant, but perhaps more because it counteracts the prooxidant catalytic effect of iron rather than functioning as an important scavenger of harmful molecules itself, (2) after the ionizing radiation exposure by helping to reduce the intensity of the post-traumatic inflammatory response, and thus reducing the extent of tissue damage that develops because of severe inflammation rather than as a direct effect of the ionizing radiation per se, (3) by functioning as a growth factor helping to enhance the growth rate of leukocytes and leukocyte progenitor cells and perhaps also of other rapidly proliferating cell types, such as enterocyte progenitor cells, which may be important for immunological recovery and perhaps also for rapid repair of various damaged tissues, especially in the intestines, and (4) by functioning as an antifibrogenic agent. A detailed discussion is given of possible mechanisms involved both in the antioxidant effects of taurine, in its anti-inflammatory effects and in its role as a growth factor for leukocytes and nerve cells, which might be closely related to its role as an osmolyte important for cellular volume regulation because of the close connection between cell volume regulation and the regulation of protein synthesis as well as cellular protein degradation. While taurine supplementation alone would be expected to exert a therapeutic effect far better than negligible in patients that have been exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation, it may on theoretical grounds be expected that much better results may be obtained by using taurine as part of a multifactorial treatment strategy, where it may interact synergistically with several other nutrients, hormones or other drugs for optimizing antioxidant protection and minimizing harmful posttraumatic inflammatory reactions, while using other nutrients to optimize DNA and tissue repair processes, and using a combination of good diet, immunostimulatory hormones and perhaps other nontoxic immunostimulants (such as beta-glucans) for optimizing the recovery of antiviral and antibacterial immune functions. Similar multifactorial treatment strategies may presumably be helpful in several other disease situations (including severe infectious diseases and severe asthma) as well as for treatment of acute intoxications or acute injuries (both mechanical ones and severe burns) where severely enhanced oxidative and/or nitrative stress and/or too much secretion of vasodilatory neuropeptides from C-fibres are important parts of the pathogenetic mechanisms that may lead to the death of the patient. Some case histories (with discussion of some of those mechanisms that may have been responsible for the observed therapeutic outcome) are given for illustration of the likely validity of these concepts and their relevance both for treatment of severe infections and non-infectious inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
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