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Fan HN, Zhao ZM, Huang K, Wang XN, Dai YK, Liu CH. Serum metabolomics characteristics and fatty-acid-related mechanism of cirrhosis with histological response in chronic hepatitis B. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1329266. [PMID: 38178856 PMCID: PMC10764421 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1329266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: The serum metabolites changes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis as progression. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is closely related to lipid metabolism in cirrhotic liver. However, the relationship between fatty acids and the expression of hepatic PPARγ during cirrhosis regression remains unknown. In this study, we explored the serum metabolic characteristics and expression of PPARγ in patients with histological response to treatment with entecavir. Methods: Sixty patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were selected as the training cohort with thirty patients each in the regression (R) group and non-regression (NR) group based on their pathological changes after 48-week treatment with entecavir. Another 72 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and treated with entecavir were collected as the validation cohort. All of the serum samples were tested using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Data were processed through principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis. Hepatic PPARγ expression was observed using immunohistochemistry. The relationship between serum fatty acids and PPARγ was calculated using Pearson's or Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: A total of 189 metabolites were identified and 13 differential metabolites were screened. Compared to the non-regression group, the serum level of fatty acids was higher in the R group. At baseline, the expression of PPARγ in hepatic stellate cells was positively correlated with adrenic acid (r 2 = 0.451, p = 0.046). The expression of PPARγ in both groups increased after treatment, and the expression of PPARγ in the R group was restored in HSCs much more than that in the NR group (p = 0.042). The adrenic acid and arachidonic acid (AA) in the R group also upgraded more than the NR group after treatment (p = 0.037 and 0.014). Conclusion: Baseline serum differential metabolites, especially fatty acids, were identified in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis patients who achieved cirrhosis regression. Upregulation of adrenic acid and arachidonic acid in serum and re-expression of PPARγ in HSCs may play a crucial role in liver fibrosis improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Na Fan
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhao
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ning Wang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun-Kai Dai
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Hai Liu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai, China
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Zhou C, Wei J, Yu P, Yang J, Liu T, Jia R, Wang S, Sun P, Yang L, Xiao H. Convergent application of traditional Chinese medicine and gut microbiota in ameliorate of cirrhosis: a data mining and Mendelian randomization study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1273031. [PMID: 38029250 PMCID: PMC10657829 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1273031] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for the treatment of chronic liver diseases for a long time, with proven safety and efficacy in clinical settings. Previous studies suggest that the therapeutic mechanism of TCM for hepatitis B cirrhosis may involve the gut microbiota. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between the gut microbiota, which is closely linked to TCM, and cirrhosis remains unknown. This study aims to utilize two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal relationship between gut microbes and cirrhosis, as well as to elucidate the synergistic mechanisms between botanical drugs and microbiota in treating cirrhosis. Methods Eight databases were systematically searched through May 2022 to identify clinical studies on TCM for hepatitis B cirrhosis. We analyzed the frequency, properties, flavors, and meridians of Chinese medicinals based on TCM theories and utilized the Apriori algorithm to identify the core botanical drugs for cirrhosis treatment. Cross-database comparison elucidated gut microbes sharing therapeutic targets with these core botanical drugs. MR analysis assessed consistency between gut microbiota causally implicated in cirrhosis and microbiota sharing therapeutic targets with key botanicals. Results Our findings revealed differences between the Chinese medicinals used for compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, with distinct frequency, dosage, properties, flavors, and meridian based on TCM theory. Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Poria, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Astragali Radix, Atrctylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were the main botanicals. Botanical drugs and gut microbiota target MAPK1, VEGFA, STAT3, AKT1, RELA, JUN, and ESR1 in the treatment of hepatitis B cirrhosis, and their combined use has shown promise for cirrhosis treatment. MR analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between increased ClostridialesvadinBB60 and Ruminococcustorques abundance and heightened cirrhosis risk. In contrast, Eubacteriumruminantium, Lachnospiraceae, Eubacteriumnodatum, RuminococcaceaeNK4A214, Veillonella, and RuminococcaceaeUCG002 associated with reduced cirrhosis risk. Notably, Lachnospiraceae shares key therapeutic targets with core botanicals, which can treat cirrhosis at a causal level. Conclusion We identified 6 core botanical drugs for managing compensated and decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis, despite slight prescription differences. The core botanical drugs affected cirrhosis through multiple targets and pathways. The shared biological effects between botanicals and protective gut microbiota offer a potential explanation for the therapeutic benefits of these key herbal components in treating cirrhosis. Elucidating these mechanisms provides crucial insights to inform new drug development and optimize clinical therapy for hepatitis B cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peng Yu
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinqiu Yang
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tong Liu
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ran Jia
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Siying Wang
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xianyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Haijuan Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
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Dai YK, Fan HN, Zhao ZM, Shen L, Liu CH. Syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency is a primary TCM syndrome of response to entecavir + FuZheng HuaYu in patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22216. [PMID: 38045133 PMCID: PMC10689883 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Although clinical studies have found that Chinese patent medicine FuZheng HuaYu tablet/capsule can promote the reversal of HBV-related liver fibrosis, not all sufferers have histopathological responses. This study aims to explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and response to entecavir + FuZheng HuaYu (ETV + FZHY) in patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis. Methods This a multi-center cross-sectional study. According to the different treatment strategies that sufferers have ever received, a total of 437 cases were included and divided into ETV + FZHY group and ETV + placebo group. And based on the relevant efficacy determination criteria, the two groups were subdivided into efficacy responders and non-responders. Then, TCM clinical questionnaire information of these patients were collected for subsequent analysis to acquire relevant syndrome elements and TCM syndromes. Results No matter what group was, the first three frequency of TCM pathological position in efficacy responders were as follows: Liver > Spleen > Stomach (TCM concepts). As for the ETV + FZHY group, the first three frequency of pathological nature was ranked as Qi deficiency > Dampness > Heat. Compared with the non-responders, the frequency of Spleen, Stomach, Qi deficiency, Heat, and Qi movement stagnation was significantly increased in the efficacy responders (P < 0.05). In terms of TCM syndromes, the frequency increase of Syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency (LDSD), in the efficacy responders, changed more obviously than the non-responders (Chi2 = 6.32, P = 0.0006). Conclusions TCM syndrome elements of Spleen, Stomach, Qi deficiency, Heat, and Qi movement stagnation were closely associated with efficacy responders with HBV-related liver fibrosis in the ETV + FZHY group. Moreover, LDSD was a primary TCM syndrome in these responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-kai Dai
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hai-na Fan
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhi-min Zhao
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Li Shen
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Cheng-hai Liu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Ministry of Education, China
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Dai YK, Fan HN, Huang K, Sun X, Zhao ZM, Liu CH. Baseline metabolites could predict responders with hepatitis B virus-related liver fibrosis for entecavir or combined with FuzhengHuayu tablet. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:1043-1059. [PMID: 37900214 PMCID: PMC10600694 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i9.1043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After receiving entecavir or combined with FuzhengHuayu tablet (FZHY) treatment, some sufferers with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver fibrosis could achieve a histological improvement while the others may fail to improve even worsen. Serum metabolomics at baseline in these patients who were effective in treatment remain unclear. AIM To explore baseline serum metabolites characteristics in responders. METHODS A total of 132 patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis and 18 volunteers as healthy controls were recruited. First, all subjects were divided into training set and validation set. Second, the included patients were subdivided into entecavir responders (E-R), entecavir no-responders (E-N), FZHY + entecavir responders (F-R), and FZHY + entecavir no-responders (F-N) following the pathological histological changes after 48 wk' treatments. Then, Serum samples of all subjects before treatment were tested by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) high-performance LC-MS. Data processing was conducted using multivariate principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Diagnostic tests of selected differential metabolites were used for Boruta analyses and logistic regression. RESULTS As for the intersection about differential metabolic pathways between the groups E-R vs E-N and F-R vs F-N, results showed that 4 pathways including linoleic acid metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, cyanoamino acid metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were screened out. As for the differential metabolites, these 7 intersected metabolites including hydroxypropionic acid, tyrosine, citric acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, benzoic acid, 2-Furoic acid, and propionic acid were selected. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that 4 metabolic pathways and 7 differential metabolites had potential usefulness in clinical prediction of the response of entecavir or combined with FZHY on HBV fibrotic liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Kai Dai
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hai-Na Fan
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhao
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cheng-Hai Liu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Li Y, Lu Y, Nian M, Sheng Q, Zhang C, Han C, Dou X, Ding Y. Therapeutic potential and mechanism of Chinese herbal medicines in treating fibrotic liver disease. Chin J Nat Med 2023; 21:643-657. [PMID: 37777315 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(23)60443-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue, and also the leading cause of liver-related death worldwide. During the treatment of liver fibrosis, in addition to antiviral therapy or removal of inducers, there remains a lack of specific and effective treatment strategies. For thousands of years, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used to treat liver fibrosis in clinical setting. CHMs are effective for liver fibrosis, though its mechanisms of action are unclear. In recent years, many studies have attempted to determine the possible mechanisms of action of CHMs in treating liver fibrosis. There have been substantial improvements in the experimental investigation of CHMs which have greatly promoted the understanding of anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms. In this review, the role of CHMs in the treatment of liver fibrosis is described, based on studies over the past decade, which has addressed the various mechanisms and signaling pathways that mediate therapeutic efficacy. Among them, inhibition of stellate cell activation is identified as the most common mechanism. This article provides insights into the research direction of CHMs, in order to expand its clinical application range and improve its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Yunrui Lu
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Mozuo Nian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Qiuju Sheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Chao Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Xiaoguang Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Yang Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China.
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Qi J, Ping D, Sun X, Huang K, Peng Y, Liu C. A herbal product inhibits carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 311:116419. [PMID: 37003405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Fuzheng Huayu formula (FZHY), composed of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Cordyceps sinensis, the seed of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, the pollen of Pinus massoniana Lamb, Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino and the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, is a Chinese herbal compound with demonstrated clinical benefits in liver fibrosis (LF). However, its potential mechanism and molecular targets remain to be elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was designed to evaluate the anti-fibrotic role of FZHY in hepatic fibrosis and to elucidate the potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Network pharmacology was assayed to identify the interrelationships among compounds of FZHY, potential targets and putative pathways on anti-LF. Then the core pharmaceutical target for FZHY against LF was verified by serum proteomic analysis. Further in vivo and in vitro assays were performed to verify the prediction of the pharmaceutical network. RESULTS The network pharmacology analysis revealed that a total of 175 FZHY-LF crossover proteins were filtered into a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network complex and designated as the potential targets of FZHY against LF, and the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway was further explored according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Then analytical studies were validated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced model in vivo. We found FZHY could attenuate CCl4-induced LF, especially decrease p-EGFR expression in α-Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA)-positive hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and inhibit the downstream of the EGFR signaling pathway, especially Extracellular Regulated Protein Kinases (ERK) signaling pathway in liver tissue. We further demonstrate that FZHY could inhibit Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-induced HSC activation, as well as the expression of p-EGFR and the key protein of the ERK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS FZHY has a good effect against CCl4-induced LF. The action mechanism was associated with the down-regulation of the EGFR signaling pathway in activated HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshu Qi
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dabing Ping
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuan Peng
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Chenghai Liu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Antiliver Fibrosis Formula of Fuzheng Huayu Alleviates Inflammatory Response. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:5752803. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5752803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuzheng Huayu’s (FZHY) formula ameliorated liver fibrosis in clinical and experimental practice. Based on the close link between fibrosis and inflammation, its anti-inflammatory effect and related mechanisms were explored in this present study. With the aid of the inflammatory macrophage model, FZHY significantly blocked nitrite accumulation without observable cytotoxicity due to its suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expressions in a concentration-depended manner. Proinflammatory mediators including IL-6, CD86, and CD40 were also restrained by FZHY. Interestingly, FZHY induced anti-inflammatory mediators heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) expressions simultaneously. Downregulation of iNOS and miR-155 and upregulation of PPAR-γ were also observed in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice upon FZHY administration. Mechanically, FZHY strikingly eliminated the phosphorylation of STAT1 and MAPK. Taken together, FZYH regulated the balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators partially via modulating STAT1/MAPK pathways and the miR-155/PPAR-γ axis.
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Dai YK, Zhao ZM, Liu C. Treatment of Liver Fibrosis: A 20-Year Bibliometric and Knowledge-Map Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:942841. [PMID: 35903335 PMCID: PMC9315937 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.942841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To analyze the research hotspots, evolution, and trends of the treatment of liver fibrosis in the recent 20 years, bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis were used. Methods: Publications associated with the treatment of liver fibrosis were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on 16 April 2022. CiteSpace 5.8.R3 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 were calculated to perform bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis. Results: A total of 72,686 authors from 200 institutions in 134 countries/regions published 15,237 studies in different academic journals. United States was the most productive country, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University was the most published institution. Trauner Michael had the most published articles, whereas Scott L. Friedman was the most frequently co-cited author. Moreover, there was frequent inter-institution cooperation between countries in the years 2015 and after, but the before years showed rare inter-institution cooperation. The journal HEPATOLOGY was both the most published publication and the most frequently co-cited one in this field. Screened keywords, such as virus infection, inflammation, oxidative stress, activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC), and hepatocellular apoptosis, could be both therapeutic targets and pathological mechanisms in terms of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus replication and the activation of HSC were the latest hotspots and topics related to the treatment of liver fibrosis. Besides, the treatments of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were also involved in the treatment of liver fibrosis, which were both emerging topics and rapidly developing hot fields. Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis conducted a full overview of the treatment of liver fibrosis, which provided important clues and ideas for scholars focusing on this field. Not only that, the field is still in a stage of rapid development and will continue to be a research hotspot in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Kai Dai
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhao
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Chenghai Liu, ; Zhi-Min Zhao,
| | - Chenghai Liu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Chenghai Liu, ; Zhi-Min Zhao,
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