Association of resveratrol with the suppression of TNF-α/NF-kB/iNOS/HIF-1α axis-mediated fibrosis and systemic hypertension in thioacetamide-induced liver injury

Resveratrol as sensitizer in colorectal cancer plasticity

Despite tremendous medical treatment successes, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Chemotherapy as monotherapy can lead to significant side effects and chemoresistance that can be linked to several resistance-activating biological processes, including an increase in inflammation, cellular plasticity, multidrug resistance (MDR), inhibition of the sentinel gene p53, and apoptosis. As a consequence, tumor cells can escape the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. This underscores the need for cross-target therapeutic approaches that are not only pharmacologically safe but also modulate multiple potent signaling pathways and sensitize cancer cells to overcome resistance to standard drugs. In recent years, scientists have been searching for natural compounds that can be used as chemosensitizers in addition to conventional medications for the synergistic treatment of CRC. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin found in various fruits and vegetables such as peanuts, berries, and red grapes, is one of the most effective natural chemopreventive agents. Abundant in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that resveratrol, in interaction with standard drugs, is an effective chemosensitizer for CRC cells to chemotherapeutic agents and thus prevents drug resistance by modulating multiple pathways, including transcription factors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-plasticity, proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The ability of resveratrol to modify multiple subcellular pathways that may suppress cancer cell plasticity and reversal of chemoresistance are critical parameters for understanding its anti-cancer effects. In this review, we focus on the chemosensitizing properties of resveratrol in CRC and, thus, its potential importance as an additive to ongoing treatments.

Dahuang zhechong pill ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

DHZCP is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula in "The Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber" that has been often used in the treatment of hepatic disorders, gynecopathy and atherosclerosis. However, its underlying mechanisms in preventing hepatic fibrosis remain incompletely understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to explore the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of DHZCP in a CCL4-induced experimental hepatic fibrosis rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DHZCP was orally administered at doses of 0.168, 0.084 and 0.042 g⋅kg-1⋅d-1 in a CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis model using SD rats. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and biochemical analysis, ELISA, Flow cytometry, WB, RT-PCR, 16 S rRNA, and untargeted metabolomic analysis were used to determine the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of DHZCP in the treatment of CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis.

RESULTS

Pharmacodynamically, DHZCP inhibited ALT and AST, improved liver function, decreased NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 in liver tissue, indicating its role in inhibiting CCL4-induced liver inflammation. Most importantly, it reduces the level of fibrosis in serum and liver tissue. Histological analysis also showed that DHZCP could effectively inhibit inflammatory cytokine infiltration and excessive collagen deposition. Mechanistically, DHZCP regulates gut microbiota, improves the proportion of firmicutes and bacteroidota at the phylum level, and increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria at the genus level, such as muribagulaceae unclassified, prevotella, alloprevotella, closteriales unclassified, lachnospiraceae unclassified and phascolarctobacterium. Instead, it reduced the abundance of two harmful bacteria, desulfovibrio and colidextribacter. Four types of metabolites such as hydrocarbons, organic nitrogen compounds, organic oxygen compounds, and organosulfur compounds were added. Furthermore, DHZCP was found to reduce the damage of intestinal barrier caused by changes in gut microbiota and metabolites.

CONCLUSION

DHZCP is an effective inhibitor of hepatic fibrosis by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites, improving the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

Uncovering the mechanism of Naoxintong capsule against hypertension based on network analysis and in vitro experiments

Naoxintong capsule (NXT) is a clinical drug for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but its pharmacological mechanism against hypertension remains unclear. Data concerning the compounds and targets of NXT were obtained from the TCMSP and DrugBank, whereas data concerning hypertension-related genes were obtained from DisGeNET. The network was analyzed and established by STRING and Cytoscape, and function enrichment was analyzed by GO and KEGG analysis. Molecular docking was performed to analyze the interaction between ingredients and targets, cellular activity was evaluated by MTT assay, and RT-qPCR and western blot were used to evaluate the expressions of related genes. The results showed that 146 active therapeutic components can target hypertension-related genes, and we found that core genes were mainly involved in the metabolism of lipids, lipopolysaccharides, the inflammatory signaling pathway, and the oxidative stress pathway. In addition, there was high affinity between the components of NXT and targets of hypertension, where the former can increase cell viability and reduce the expressions of NOX4, MCP-1, BAX, TNF-α and IL-1β. Moreover, NXT inhibited the expressions of IL-6 and Fis1, as well as increased the expression of MCL-1. These results revealed the active compounds, hypertension targets, signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms of NXT for treating hypertension, offering references for the clinical application of NXT and the treatment of hypertension.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Moringa Oil on Rats under Fungicide Toxicity

The present study is designed to evaluate whether pretreatment with moringa would have a protective effect on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis, assessing biochemical and histopathological changes in Wistar male rats. Exposure to TAA induced notable biochemical and histopathological alterations. Liver fibrosis induced by TAA, along with associated biochemical and histological damage, has not been previously investigated in male rats supplemented with moringa oil. The experiment involved forty male rats distributed across four groups, each comprising ten rats. Group 1 served as controls and received intraperitoneal injections of saline solution twice weekly for six weeks. Group 2 rats were injected with 300 mg/kg body weight of TAA (Sigma-Aldrich Corp.) twice weekly for the same duration. Group 3 rats were orally supplemented with moringa oil at 800 mg/kg body weight/day and received intraperitoneal injections of TAA at the same dosage as Group 2 for six weeks. Finally, Group 4 rats were injected with saline solution twice weekly and orally supplemented with moringa oil at 800 mg/kg body weight/day for the same period. At the end of the experiment, we determined body weight and performed liver function analysis. Additionally, we examined the liver histology of the different groups. Results showed that moringa oil treatment protected rat livers from TAA toxicity by improving liver function analysis and preventing liver fibrosis. Moringa oil can be considered a promising agent for protection against TAA toxicity.

Extracellular matrix turnover: phytochemicals target and modulate the dual role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in liver fibrosis

Extracellular matrix (ECM) resolution by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a well-documented mechanism. MMPs play a dual and complex role in modulating ECM degradation at different stages of liver fibrosis, depending on the timing and levels of their expression. Increased MMP-1 combats disease progression by cleaving the fibrillar ECM. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) increase expression of MMP-2, -9, and -13 in different chemicals-induced animal models, which may alleviate or worsen disease progression based on animal models and the stage of liver fibrosis. In the early stage, elevated expression of certain MMPs may damage surrounding tissue and activate HSCs, promoting fibrosis progression. At the later stage, downregulation of MMPs can facilitate ECM accumulation and disease progression. A number of phytochemicals modulate MMP activity and ECM turnover, alleviating disease progression. However, the effects of phytochemicals on the expression of different MMPs are variable and may depend on the disease models and stage, and the dosage, timing and duration of phytochemicals used in each study. Here, we review the most recent advances in the role of MMPs in the effects of phytochemicals on liver fibrogenesis, which indicates that further studies are warranted to confirm and define the potential clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals.

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ellagic and punicic acid in an in vitro model of cardiac fibrosis

Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and an increased production of fibrillar collagen in the cardiac interstitium, mainly caused by the activation of cardiac fibroblasts and their transition into myofibroblasts. Oxidative stress is deeply implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis both directly and via its involvement in the tumor growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling. Ellagic acid (EA) and punicic acid (PA) are the main components of the Punica granatum L (pomegranate) fruit and seed oil respectively, whose antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects have been previously described. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EA or PA or EA+PA in an in vitro model of cardiac fibrosis. Immortalized Human Cardiac Fibroblasts (IM-HCF) were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of TGF-β1 for 24 h to induce a fibrotic damage. Cells were then treated with EA (1 µM), PA (1 µM) or EA+PA for additional 24 h. Both EA and PA reduced the pro-fibrotic proteins expressions and the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The anti-oxidant activity was also observed by Nrf2 activation with the consequent TGF-β1-Smad2/3-MMP2/9 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibition, thus reducing collagen production. EA and PA significantly inhibit NF-κB pathway and, consequently, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels: the greater effect was observed when EA and PA were used in combination. These results suggest that EA, PA and in particular EA+PA might be effective in reducing fibrosis through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by the modulation of different molecular pathways.

literammp-9 mRNA Expression and Bridging Fibrosis Progression in Toxic Liver Injury

Developing liver disease treatments, in which fibrosis is a key pathogenetic link, still remains an urgent problem in hepatology. In the present study, the level of mmp-9 mRNA expression and the number of FAP+, α-SMA+, CD45+ cells were analyzed at nine time points of fibrosis and cirrhosis. It was found that in the case of liver fibrosis, the choice of the optimal reference gene depended on the stage of fibrogenesis. When studying the specific stages rather than the entire process in a long-term experiment, it was shown that choosing an optimal reference gene has to be done additionally. In this case, the mmp-9 mRNA expression level should be considered as a marker of liver fibrosis initiation and development but not as that of cirrhosis progression. In the liver, two morphologically heterogeneous populations of myofibroblasts were simultaneously identified as able to synthesize various types of immunohistochemical markers. It was found that the FAP+ cells were the main contributor to the development of portal fibrosis and the initial stages of bridging fibrosis. In the selected experimental model, fibrosis initiation and the development stages preceding parenchyma restructuring were accompanied by a low level of inflammation.

Metformin Suppresses Thioacetamide-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease in Association with the Upregulation of AMPK and Downregulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Well as Dyslipidemia and Hypertension

Toxic chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide (TAA) are reported to induce hepato-nephrotoxicity. The potential protective outcome of the antidiabetic and pleiotropic drug metformin against TAA-induced chronic kidney disease in association with the modulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), oxidative stress, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and systemic hypertension has not been investigated before. Therefore, 200 mg/kg TAA was injected (via the intraperitoneal route) in a model group of rats twice a week starting at week 3 for 8 weeks. The control rats were injected with the vehicle for the same period. The metformin-treated group received 200 mg/kg metformin daily for 10 weeks, beginning week 1, and received TAA injections with dosage and timing similar to those of the model group. All rats were culled at week 10. It was observed that TAA induced substantial renal injury, as demonstrated by significant kidney tissue damage and fibrosis, as well as augmented blood and kidney tissue levels of urea, creatinine, inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), and hypertension. TAA nephrotoxicity substantially inhibited the renal expression of phosphorylated AMPK. All these markers were significantly protected by metformin administration. In addition, a link between kidney fibrosis and these parameters was observed. Thus, metformin provides profound protection against TAA-induced kidney damage and fibrosis associated with the augmentation of the tissue protective enzyme AMPK and inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, the profibrogenic gene TIMP-1, dyslipidemia, and hypertension for a period of 10 weeks in rats.

Protective role of resveratrol against VCM-induced hepatotoxicity in male wistar rats

Background: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with a high risk of acute liver injury. Resveratrol is believed to protect the liver against toxicity. Aim: To investigate the ability of resveratrol to attenuate vancomycin-induced liver toxicity in rats injected with vancomycin. Method: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups. The control group received only a vehicle, while the treated group received either vancomycin 200 (mg/kg, i. p.) only or vancomycin (200 mg/kg, i. p.) with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, oral gavage). All groups received their dose once daily for 7 days. Hepatic damage was assessed by measuring biochemical parameter levels in serum, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, antioxidants and inflammation biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Furthermore, the vancomycin-induced pathological changes in the liver were evaluated by histopathological studies. Results: In the vancomycin-treated group, hepatic serum biomarkers such as AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA were elevated, while NO and GSH were depleted. However, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented the elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA and it protected the liver from NO and GSH depletion. Also, regarding vancomycin-induced degeneration of hepatocytes, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented such degeneration and improved mononuclear cells in the liver. Conclusion: The results showed that oral administration of resveratrol has a significant hepatoprotective effect against vancomycin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Exosomal RBP4 potentiated hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation in high-fat-diet-fed mice by promoting M1 polarization of Kupffer cells

Exosomes containing various biological cargoes have potential to be novel diagnostic biomarkers for metabolic diseases. In this study, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) was found to be enriched in serum exosomes, and its increased levels could be considered as an independent risk factor for the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Exosomal RBP4 (exo-RBP4), primarily derived from hepatocytes, significantly enhanced the M1-like polarization of Kupffer cells (KCs) via promoting the activation of NOX2 and NF-κB and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, resulting in the over-production of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α. Subsequently, those excess cytokines remarkably increased the levels of intracellular free fatty acid uptake and lipogenesis-related genes (FAS and SREBP-1c) but decreased fatty acid degradation-related genes (CPT-1 and PPARα) in palmitic acid-treated LO2 cells. More notably, TNF-α significantly elevated RBP4 transcription by activating STAT3 in hepatocytes, playing a positive role in NAFLD development. Intravenous injection with RBP4 (50 μg/kg) potentiated hepatic lipid accumulation, M1-type KC proportion, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the hepatic tissues of high-fat-diet-fed mice. Collectively, these data indicated that exo-RBP4 converted KCs to M1 subtype by mediating the NOX2/ROS/NF-κB pathway, subsequently promoting de novo lipogenesis in hepatocytes by TNF-α secretion to activate the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Therefore, this study uncovered a novel intercellular communication between the inflammatory microenvironment and lipid metabolism for fostering NAFLD progression and found the potential of exo-RBP4 as a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NAFLD.

TRAF2 as a key candidate gene in clinical hepatitis B-associated liver fibrosis

Objectives: Approximately 240 million individuals are infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide. HBV infection can develop into liver fibrosis. The mechanism of HBV-related liver fibrosis has not been fully understood, and there are few effective treatment options. The goal of this study was to use transcriptomics in conjunction with experimental validation to identify new targets to treat HBV-related liver fibrosis. Methods: To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), five liver tissues were collected from both healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis B. NovoMagic and Java GSEA were used to screen DEGs and key genes, respectively. Immunocell infiltration analysis of RNA-seq data was, and the results were confirmed by Western blotting (WB), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and immunohistochemistry. Results: We evaluated 1,105 genes with differential expression, and 462 and 643 genes showed down- and upregulation, respectively. The essential genes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor-2 (TRAF2), were screened out of DEGs. TRAF2 expression was abnormally high in hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B compared with healthy controls. The degree of hepatic fibrosis and serum levels of glutamate transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were positively linked with TRAF2 expression. TRAF2 may be crucial in controlling T lymphocyte-mediated liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Our findings imply that TRAF2 is essential for HBV-induced liver fibrosis progression, and it may potentially be a promising target for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis B.

The TNF-α rs361525 and IFN-γ rs2430561 polymorphisms are associated with liver cirrhosis risk: a comprehensive meta-analysis

Background

Inflammation serves as an essential driver of liver cirrhosis (LC) incidence. Accordingly, a meta-analysis was carried out to explore the association between specific polymorphisms in the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) genes and the incidence of LC based on comparisons of genotype and allele frequencies.

Objectives

To study the relationship between TNF-α rs361525 and IFN-γ rs2430561 polymorphisms and the risk of LC.

Methods

A database search was performed for all studies published as of September 10, 2022. The strength of risk relationships was assessed based on odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Pooled analyses were conducted for one common TNF-α polymorphism (rs361525) as well as one common IFN-γ polymorphism (rs2430561). Both of these SNPs were identified as LC-related risk factors. Specifically, rs361525 was related to LC incidence in both alcoholic liver cirrhosis (OR: 1.86, 95%CI: 1.03-3.34) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis cases (OR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.00-2.06) when using an allelic contrast model. Moreover, rs2430561 was significantly related to LC in an Asian population (OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.13-1.86) and in the context of HBV-related cirrhosis (OR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.13-1.93) when using an allelic contrast model.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that rs361525 and rs2430561 represent LC-related risk factors, although additional large-scale clinical and case-control studies will be vital to confirm these results.

Bioactive dietary components-Anti-obesity effects related to energy metabolism and inflammation

Obesity is the result of the long-term energy imbalance between the excess calories consumed and the few calories expended. Reducing the intake of energy dense foods (fats, sugars), and strategies such as fasting and caloric restriction can promote body weight loss. Not only energy in terms of calories, but also the specific composition of the diet can affect the way the food is absorbed and how its energy is stored, used or dissipated. Recent research has shown that bioactive components of food, such as polyphenols and vitamins, can influence obesity and its pathologic complications such as insulin resistance, inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Individual micronutrients can influence lipid turnover but for long-term effects on weight stability, dietary patterns containing several micronutrients may be required. At the molecular level, these molecules modulate signaling and the expression of genes that are involved in the regulation of energy intake, lipid metabolism, adipogenesis into white, beige and brown adipose tissue, thermogenesis, lipotoxicity, adipo/cytokine synthesis, and inflammation. Higher concentrations of these molecules can be reached in the intestine, where they can modulate the composition and action of the microbiome. In this review, the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive compounds and vitamins modulate energy metabolism, inflammation and obesity are discussed.