1
|
Song Q, Guo J, Zhang Y, Chen W. The beneficial effects of taurine in alleviating fatty liver disease. J Funct Foods 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
|
2
|
El-Gendy H, El Agouza IM, Abd Elmoneem HA, Bahaa MM, Salah MM. Evaluation of serum taurine as a prognostic marker for graft function in adult Egyptian patients undergoing living donor liver transplant. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/11101849.2020.1848239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa El-Gendy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | - Mohamed M. Bahaa
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Manar M. Salah
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bkaily G, Jazzar A, Normand A, Simon Y, Al-Khoury J, Jacques D. Taurine and cardiac disease: state of the art and perspectives. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 98:67-73. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2019-0313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Taurine is a nonessential amino acid that has received much attention. Two organs, the heart and the brain, are known to produce their own taurine, but in very limited quantities. It is for this reason that supplementation with this amino acid is necessary. Today, taurine is present in almost all energy drinks. A very vast literature reported beneficial effects of taurine in hepatic dysfunction, gastrointestinal injury, kidney diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Most of its effects were attributed to its modulation of Ca2+homeostasis as well as to its antioxidant properties. In this review, we will focus on the current status of taurine modulation of the cardiovascular system and discuss future avenues for its use as a supplement therapy in a specific cardiovascular disease, namely hypertrophy, and heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghassan Bkaily
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Ashley Jazzar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Alexandre Normand
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Yanick Simon
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Johny Al-Khoury
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Danielle Jacques
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vidot H, Cvejic E, Carey S, Strasser SI, McCaughan GW, Allman-Farinelli M, Shackel NA. Randomised clinical trial: oral taurine supplementation versus placebo reduces muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2018; 48:704-712. [PMID: 30136291 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Painful muscle cramps occur in the majority of patients with cirrhosis impacting significantly on quality of life and sleep patterns. They are frequently unrecognised or overlooked. Current management is based on anecdotal evidence or case study reports. AIM To investigate the effect of oral taurine supplementation on frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS Patients with chronic liver disease who experienced three or more muscle cramps/week were enrolled in a double-blinded, randomised control, crossover, taurine dose-variable study. Each participant received either taurine supplementation or placebo for 4 weeks then crossed to the alternative arm. Primary outcome data for frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps was recorded by participants. Participants recorded frequency, duration, and location of muscle cramps. Biochemical parameters, including serum taurine and methionine levels, were measured at each time point. Linear mixed models were used to analyse outcomes. RESULTS Forty-nine patients were enrolled in the study and 30 patients completed the protocol. Participants who were unable to complete the protocol were not included in the final analysis due to the absence of outcome data. The mean age of participants was 54.7 years and 70% were males. Oral taurine supplementation increased serum taurine levels (P < 0.001). There were no adverse side effects associated with taurine supplementation. Participants receiving 2 g taurine/d experienced a reduction in cramp frequency (seven cramps fewer/fortnight, P = 0.03), duration (89 minutes less/fortnight P = 0.03), and severity (1.4 units less on a Likert scale P < 0.004) compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS Oral supplementation with 2 g taurine/d results in a clinically significant reduction in the frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease. Taurine should be considered as a safe and effective intervention in the management of muscle cramps in individuals with chronic liver disease. This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register: ACTRN12612000289819.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Vidot
- Department Nutrition & Dietetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Liver Injury and Cancer, Centenary Research Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Erin Cvejic
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon Carey
- Department Nutrition & Dietetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Simone Irene Strasser
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffrey William McCaughan
- Liver Injury and Cancer, Centenary Research Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Margaret Allman-Farinelli
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vidot H, Carey S, Allman-Farinelli M, Shackel N. Systematic review: the treatment of muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014; 40:221-32. [PMID: 24942957 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 88% of patients with hepatic cirrhosis experience painful muscle cramps resulting in sleep deprivation and impaired quality of life. Management is often based on poor evidence with varying degrees of success in controlling the frequency and severity of muscle cramps in this group. AIM To review systematically the treatment options for muscle cramps in cirrhosis. METHODS A systematic review of the relevant databases to identify treatments for muscle cramps in patients with hepatic cirrhosis was performed. Studies meeting the selection criteria were reviewed and quality of the papers was rated using a validated quality rating scale. The results for each treatment are reported. RESULTS Eighteen publications were identified as eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The majority (n = 15) of these were treatment/intervention reports. Only three randomised-control studies were identified. A wide range of treatments were identified including zinc, 1-α-hydroxy vitamin D, vitamin E, branched chain amino acids, taurine, l-carnitine, nuiche-shen-qi-wen, eperisone hydrochloride, intravenous albumin and quinidine. There were some reported improvements in muscle cramps with most interventions with the exception of vitamin E but the evidence predominantly relies on case study reports. There is a lack of randomised-controlled clinical studies to support using these interventions. CONCLUSIONS There appear to be a number of promising treatments for muscle cramps in cirrhosis. However, there remains a need for further double-blinded, randomised, controlled clinical investigations to support routine use of these interventions to treat muscle cramps in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Vidot
- Nutrition & Dietetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hagiwara A, Ishizaki S, Takehana K, Fujitani S, Sonaka I, Satsu H, Shimizu M. Branched-chain amino acids inhibit the TGF-beta-induced down-regulation of taurine biosynthetic enzyme cysteine dioxygenase in HepG2 cells. Amino Acids 2014; 46:1275-83. [PMID: 24553827 PMCID: PMC3984414 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1693-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Taurine deficiency has been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis and complications of advanced hepatic diseases. The molecular basis for a low level of taurine associated with hepatic failure is largely unknown. Using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhotic rat model, we found that the activity and expression of cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), a rate-limiting enzyme in taurine synthesis, were significantly decreased in the liver of these rats. To investigate the underlying mechanisms for the suppression, we examined the effects of pathological cytokines on CDO expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Among the several cytokines, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), one of the key mediators of fibrogenesis, suppressed Cdo1 gene transcription through the MEK/ERK pathway. Finally, we further examined potential effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on CDO expression, as it has been reported that oral BCAA supplementation increased plasma taurine level in the patients with liver cirrhosis. BCAA, especially leucine, promoted Cdo1 gene transcription, and attenuated TGF-β-mediated suppression of Cdo1 gene expression. These results indicate that the low plasma level of taurine in advanced hepatic disease is due to decreased hepatic CDO expression, which can be partly attributed to suppressive effect of TGF-β on Cdo1 gene transcription. Furthermore, our observation that BCAA promotes Cdo1 expression suggests that BCAA may be therapeutically useful to improve hepatic taurine metabolism and further suppress dysfunctions associated with low level of taurine in hepatic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asami Hagiwara
- Research Institute, Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., 1-1 Suzuki-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-8681, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gentile CL, Nivala AM, Gonzales JC, Pfaffenbach KT, Wang D, Wei Y, Jiang H, Orlicky DJ, Petersen DR, Pagliassotti MJ, Maclean KN. Experimental evidence for therapeutic potential of taurine in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2011; 301:R1710-22. [PMID: 21957160 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00677.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of obesity is now at epidemic proportions and has resulted in the emergence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a common metabolic disorder that can lead to liver injury and cirrhosis. Excess sucrose and long-chain saturated fatty acids in the diet may play a role in the development and progression of NAFLD. One factor linking sucrose and saturated fatty acids to liver damage is dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Although there is currently no proven, effective therapy for NAFLD, the amino sulfonic acid taurine is protective against various metabolic disturbances, including alcohol-induced liver damage. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic potential of taurine to serve as a preventative treatment for diet-induced NAFLD. We report that taurine significantly mitigated palmitate-mediated caspase-3 activity, cell death, ER stress, and oxidative stress in H4IIE liver cells and primary hepatocytes. In rats fed a high-sucrose diet, dietary taurine supplementation significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, liver injury, inflammation, plasma triglycerides, and insulin levels. The high-sucrose diet resulted in an induction of multiple components of the unfolded protein response in the liver consistent with ER stress, which was ameliorated by taurine supplementation. Treatment of mice with the ER stress-inducing agent tunicamycin resulted in liver injury, unfolded protein response induction, and hepatic lipid accumulation that was significantly ameliorated by dietary supplementation with taurine. Our results indicate that dietary supplementation with taurine offers significant potential as a preventative treatment for NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Gentile
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Weber SN, Wasmuth HE. Liver fibrosis: from animal models to mapping of human risk variants. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2010; 24:635-46. [PMID: 20955966 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2010.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Revised: 07/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the sequel of chronic liver diseases and the main reason for increased mortality in affected patients. The extent of liver fibrosis displays great interindividual variation, even after controlling for exogenous factors. Thus, host genetic factors are considered to play an important role in the process of liver scarring. From a genetic perspective, liver fibrosis is a complex trait with many genes contributing to the expression of the phenotype. In genetically manipulated and inbred animals several risk loci for liver fibrosis have been identified. Some of these loci have been replicated in case-control studies of patients with hepatitis C infection. In humans, genetic risk loci were identified by single marker studies, haplotype studies or the combination of single markers. Recently, the first genome-wide association studies have also been performed in patients with liver diseases. Some of the identified gene variants have been functionally characterized in vitro, thereby opening the potential for novel therapeutic approaches and risk stratification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne N Weber
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Warskulat U, Borsch E, Reinehr R, Heller-Stilb B, Roth C, Witt M, Häussinger D. Taurine deficiency and apoptosis: findings from the taurine transporter knockout mouse. Arch Biochem Biophys 2007; 462:202-9. [PMID: 17459327 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2007.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2006] [Revised: 03/15/2007] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, DNA-fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. Compatible organic osmolytes, e.g. taurine, modulate the cellular response to anisotonicity and may protect from apoptosis. Taurine transporter knockout mice (taut-/- mice) show strongly decreased taurine levels in a variety of tissues. They develop clinically important age-dependent diseases and some of them are characterized by apoptosis. Increased photoreceptor apoptosis leads to blindness of taut-/- mice at an early age. The taurine transporter may not be essential for the differentiation of photoreceptor cells, but many mature cells do not survive without an intact taurine transporter. The olfactory epithelium of taut-/- mice also exhibits structural and functional abnormalities. When compared with wild-types, taut-/- mice have a significantly higher proliferative activity of immature olfactory receptor neurons and an increased number of apoptotic cells. This is accompanied by electrophysiological findings indicating a reduced olfactory sensitivity. Furthermore, taut-/- and taut+/- mice develop moderate unspecific hepatitis and liver fibrosis beyond 1 year of age where hepatocyte apoptosis and activation of the CD95 system are pronounced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Warskulat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Warskulat U, Heller-Stilb B, Oermann E, Zilles K, Haas H, Lang F, Häussinger D. Phenotype of the Taurine Transporter Knockout Mouse. Methods Enzymol 2007; 428:439-58. [PMID: 17875433 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(07)28025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This chapter reports present knowledge on the properties of mice with disrupted gene coding for the taurine transporter (taut-/- mice). Study of those mice unraveled some of the roles of taurine and its membrane transport for the development and maintenance of normal organ functions and morphology. When compared with wild-type controls, taut-/- mice have decreased taurine levels in skeletal and heart muscle by about 98%, in brain, kidney, plasma, and retina by 80 to 90%, and in liver by about 70%. taut-/- mice exhibit a lower body mass as well as a strongly reduced exercise capacity compared with taut+/- and wild-type mice. Furthermore, taut-/- mice show a variety of pathological features, for example, subtle derangement of renal osmoregulation, changes in neuroreceptor expression, and loss of long-term potentiation in the striatum, and they develop clinically relevant age-dependent disorders, for example, visual, auditory, and olfactory dysfunctions, unspecific hepatitis, and liver fibrosis. Taurine-deficient animal models such as acutely dietary-manipulated foxes and cats, pharmacologically induced taurine-deficient rats, and taurine transporter knockout mouse are powerful tools allowing identification of the mechanisms and complexities of diseases mediated by impaired taurine transport and taurine depletion (Chapman et al., 1993; Heller-Stilb et al., 2002; Huxtable, 1992; Lake, 1993; Moise et al., 1991; Novotny et al., 1991; Pion et al., 1987; Timbrell et al., 1995; Warskulat et al., 2004, 2006b). Taurine, which is the most abundant amino acid in many tissues, is normally found in intracellular concentrations of 10 to 70 mmol/kg in mammalian heart, brain, skeletal muscle, liver, and retina (Chapman et al., 1993; Green et al., 1991; Huxable, 1992; Timbrell et al., 1995). These high taurine levels are maintained by an ubiquitous expression of Na(+)-dependent taurine transporter (TAUT) in the plasma membrane (Burg, 1995; Kwon and Handler, 1995; Lang et al., 1998; Liu et al., 1992; Ramamoorthy et al., 1994; Schloss et al., 1994; Smith et al., 1992; Uchida et al., 1992; Vinnakota et al., 1997; Yancey et al., 1975). Taurine is not incorporated into proteins. It is involved in cell volume regulation, neuromodulation, antioxidant defense, protein stabilization, stress responses, and via formation of taurine-chloramine in immunomodulation (Chapman et al., 1993; Green et al., 1991; Huxtable, 1992; Timbrell et al., 1995). On the basis of its functions, taurine may protect cells against various types of injury (Chapman et al., 1993; Green et al., 1991; Huxtable, 1992; Kurz et al., 1998; Park et al., 1995; Stapleton et al., 1998; Timbrell et al., 1995; Welch and Brown, 1996; Wettstein and Häussinger, 1997). In order to examine the multiple taurine functions, murine models have several intrinsic advantages for in vivo research compared to other animal models, including lower cost, maintenance, and rapid reproduction rate. Further, experimental reagents for cellular and molecular studies are widely available for the mouse. In particular, mice can be easily genetically manipulated by making transgene and knockout mice. This chapter focuses on the phenotype of the TAUT-deficient murine model (taut-/-; Heller-Stilb et al., 2002), which may help researchers elucidate the diverse roles of taurine in development and maintenance of normal organ functions and morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Warskulat
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Warskulat U, Borsch E, Reinehr R, Heller-Stilb B, Mönnighoff I, Buchczyk D, Donner M, Flögel U, Kappert G, Soboll S, Beer S, Pfeffer K, Marschall HU, Gabrielsen M, Amiry-Moghaddam M, Ottersen OP, Dienes HP, Häussinger D. Chronic liver disease is triggered by taurine transporter knockout in the mouse. FASEB J 2006; 20:574-6. [PMID: 16421246 DOI: 10.1096/fj.05-5016fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Taurine is an abundant organic osmolyte with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Its role in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease is unknown. The liver phenotype was studied in taurine transporter knockout (taut-/-) mice. Hepatic taurine levels were ~21, 15 and 6 mumol/g liver wet weight in adult wild-type, heterozygous (taut+/-) and homozygous (taut-/-) mice, respectively. Immunoelectronmicroscopy revealed an almost complete depletion of taurine in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells, but not in parenchymal cells of (taut-/-) mice. Compared with wild-type mice, (taut-/-) and (taut+/-) mice developed moderate unspecific hepatitis and liver fibrosis with increased frequency of neoplastic lesions beyond 1 year of age. Liver disease in (taut-/-) mice was characterized by hepatocyte apoptosis, activation of the CD95 system, elevated plasma TNF-alpha levels, hepatic stellate cell and oval cell proliferation, and severe mitochondrial abnormalities in liver parenchymal cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction was suggested by a significantly lower respiratory control ratio in isolated mitochondria from (taut-/-) mice. Taut knockout had no effect on taurine-conjugated bile acids in bile; however, the relative amount of cholate-conjugates acid was decreased at the expense of 7-keto-cholate-conjugates. In conclusion, taurine deficiency due to defective taurine transport triggers chronic liver disease, which may involve mitochondrial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Warskulat
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectiology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Peters-Regehr T, Bode JG, Kubitz R, Häussinger D. Organic osmolyte transport in quiescent and activated rat hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells). Hepatology 1999; 29:173-80. [PMID: 9862864 DOI: 10.1002/hep.510290111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) results in multiple alterations of cell function, but nothing is known about organic osmolytes in these cells. Organic osmolyte transport and transporter messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was studied in quiescent rat HSCs and after their transformation into alpha1-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblastlike cells. Quiescent stellate cells expressed in an osmosensitive manner the mRNA levels of the transporters for taurine (TAUT) and myoinositol (SMIT), whereas that for betaine was not detectable. However, these cells showed osmosensitive uptake not only of taurine and myoinositol but also of betaine. Osmosensitive betaine uptake was mediated by amino acid transport system A. After transformation into myofibroblasts, taurine and myoinositol uptake increased 5.5-fold and 4.5-fold, respectively, together with the respective transporter mRNA levels. Betaine uptake increased twofold because of osmosensitive induction of BGT1 expression. In both quiescent and activated HSCs, hypoosmotic cell swelling induced a rapid and 4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid-sensitive osmolyte efflux. In quiescent HSCs, hyperosmotic exposure increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of cyclooxygenase-2, which was counteracted by taurine but not by betaine or myoinositol. The study identifies taurine, myoinositol, and betaine as osmolytes in HSCs. Transformation of HSCs is accompanied by enhanced osmolyte transport activity and induction of the BGT1 transporter, which may be another activation marker of HSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Peters-Regehr
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|