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Li L, Xu S, Wang W, Li X, Wang H, Yang Q, Wang C, Gu J, Luo H, Meng Q. Bruceine A alleviates alcoholic liver disease by inhibiting AIM2 inflammasome activation via activating FXR. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 130:155693. [PMID: 38763006 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155693] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a public health challenge worldwide caused by long-term persistent drinking, is life-threatening with minimal approved therapies. Hepatic steatosis accompanied by inflammation is an initial and inevitable stage in the complex progression of simple alcoholic liver injury to more severe liver diseases such as hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. PURPOSE We aimed to identify the therapeutic role of Bruceine A (BA) in ALD whilst attempting to explore whether its protective effects depend specifically on the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). METHODS Autodock was applied to detect the affinity between BA and FXR. Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet with 5 % ethanol (v/v) was adopted to establish the mouse ALD model. The lentivirus mediating FXR (LV-FXR) was injected into mice via the tail vein to establish FXR-overexpressed mice. FXR silencing or overexpression plasmids were transfected into AML-12 cells prior to ethanol stimulation. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were employed to determine the expression of related genes. We subjected liver sections to H&E and Oil Red O staining to evaluate the liver histological injury and the deposition of lipid droplets. RESULTS BA significantly reduced body weight and liver-to-body weight ratios as well as biochemical indexes in mice. Ethanol-induced liver damage and lipid accumulation could be alleviated by BA treatment. BA bound to FXR by two hydrogen bonds. There was a positive correlation between BA administration and FXR expression. BA inhibited the expression of lipid synthesis genes and enhanced the expression of lipid metabolism genes by activating FXR, thus alleviating steatosis in ALD. Moreover, BA exerted an ameliorative effect against inflammation by inhibiting the activation of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome by activating FXR. FXR overexpression possessed the ability to counter the accumulation of lipid and the activation of AIM2 inflammasome caused by ethanol. FXR deficiency exacerbated ethanol-induced liver steatosis and inflammation. The hepatoprotective effect of BA could be disrupted by FXR antagonist guggulsterone (GS) in vivo and FXR siRNA in vitro. CONCLUSION BA alleviated alcoholic liver disease by inhibiting AIM2 inflammasome activation through an FXR-dependent mechanism. This study may potentially represent a new therapeutic approach for ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Shuai Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Wenyu Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Haotian Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Changyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Jiangning Gu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Haifeng Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Qiang Meng
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China.
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LeFort KR, Rungratanawanich W, Song BJ. Melatonin Prevents Alcohol- and Metabolic Dysfunction- Associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Mitigating Gut Dysbiosis, Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction, and Endotoxemia. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 13:43. [PMID: 38247468 PMCID: PMC10812487 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (MT) has often been used to support good sleep quality, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many have suffered from stress-related disrupted sleep patterns. It is less known that MT is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compound, and modulator of gut barrier dysfunction, which plays a significant role in many disease states. Furthermore, MT is produced at 400-500 times greater concentrations in intestinal enterochromaffin cells, supporting the role of MT in maintaining the functions of the intestines and gut-organ axes. Given this information, the focus of this article is to review the functions of MT and the molecular mechanisms by which it prevents alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including its metabolism and interactions with mitochondria to exert its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the gut-liver axis. We detail various mechanisms by which MT acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compound, and modulator of intestinal barrier function to prevent the progression of ALD and MASLD via the gut-liver axis, with a focus on how these conditions are modeled in animal studies. Using the mechanisms of MT prevention and animal studies described, we suggest behavioral modifications and several exogenous sources of MT, including food and supplements. Further clinical research should be performed to develop the field of MT in preventing the progression of liver diseases via the gut-liver axis, so we mention a few considerations regarding MT supplementation in the context of clinical trials in order to advance this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli R. LeFort
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | | | - Byoung-Joon Song
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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Wang T, Jia Z, An C, Ren P, Yang Y, Wang W, Su L. The Protective Effect of Auricularia cornea var. Li. Polysaccharide on Alcoholic Liver Disease and Its Effect on Intestinal Microbiota. Molecules 2023; 28:8003. [PMID: 38138493 PMCID: PMC10745760 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study's objective was to examine the protective effect and mechanism of a novel polysaccharide (AYP) from Auricularia cornea var. Li. on alcoholic liver disease in mice. AYP was extracted from the fruiting bodies of Auricularia cornea var. Li. by enzymatic extraction and purified by DEAE-52 and Sephacryl S-400. Structural features were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography, ion exchange chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared analysis. Additionally, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) mice were established to explore the hepatoprotective activity of AYP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/d). Here, our results showed that AYP presented high purity with a molecular weight of 4.64 × 105 Da. AYP was composed of galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, arabinose, mannose, xylose, rhamnose, ribos, glucuronic acid and fucose (molar ratio: 39.5:32.9:23.6:18.3:6.5:5.8:5.8:3.3:2:1.1). Notably, AYP remarkably reduced liver function impairment (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC)), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of the liver and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (gGSH)) in mice with ALD. Meanwhile, the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were reduced in ALD mice treated by AYP. Furthermore, the AYPH group was the most effective and was therefore chosen to further investigate its effect on the intestinal microbiota (bacteria and fungi) of ALD mice. Based on 16s rRNA and ITS-1 sequencing data, AYP influenced the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota to mitigate the damage of ALD mice, possibly by raising the abundance of favorable microbiota (Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Kazachstania) and diminishing the abundance of detrimental microbiota (Lactobacillus, Mortierella and Candida). This discovery opens new possibilities for investigating physiological activity in A. cornea var. Li. and provides theoretical references for natural liver-protecting medication research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianci Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (T.W.); (Z.J.)
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
| | - Zikun Jia
- Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (T.W.); (Z.J.)
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
| | - Canghai An
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
| | - Ping Ren
- Engineering Research Center of Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yiting Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Wanting Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Ling Su
- Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (T.W.); (Z.J.)
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
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Zhang K, Chen L, Yang J, Liu J, Li J, Liu Y, Li X, Chen L, Hsu C, Zeng J, Xie X, Wang Q. Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids ameliorate methamphetamine-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in a Sigmar-1 receptor-dependent manner. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4801-4822. [PMID: 38045052 PMCID: PMC10692394 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.09.010] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse can cause serious mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. The gut microbiota is a crucial contributor to maintaining host mental health. Here, we aim to investigate if microbiota participate in Meth-induced mental disorders, and the potential mechanisms involved. Here, 15 mg/kg Meth resulted in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors of mice successfully and suppressed the Sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1)/BDNF/TRKB pathway in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, Meth impaired gut homeostasis by arousing the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related colonic inflammation, disturbing the gut microbiome and reducing the microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Moreover, fecal microbiota from Meth-administrated mice mediated the colonic inflammation and reproduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in recipients. Further, SCFAs supplementation optimized Meth-induced microbial dysbiosis, ameliorated colonic inflammation, and repressed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Finally, Sigmar1 knockout (Sigmar1-/-) repressed the BDNF/TRKB pathway and produced similar behavioral phenotypes with Meth exposure, and eliminated the anti-anxiety and -depression effects of SCFAs. The activation of SIGMAR1 with fluvoxamine attenuated Meth-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Our findings indicated that gut microbiota-derived SCFAs could optimize gut homeostasis, and ameliorate Meth-induced mental disorders in a SIGMAR1-dependent manner. This study confirms the crucial role of microbiota in Meth-related mental disorders and provides a potential preemptive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaikai Zhang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lijian Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianzheng Yang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiali Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiahao Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiuwen Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Long Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Clare Hsu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiahao Zeng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoli Xie
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Zhang D, Jia X, Lin D, Ma J. Melatonin and ferroptosis: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 218:115909. [PMID: 37931663 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death, is characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation leading to oxidative damage to cell membranes. Cell sensitivity to ferroptosis is influenced by factors such as iron overload, lipid metabolism, and the regulation of the antioxidant system. Melatonin, with its demonstrated capacity to chelate iron, modulate iron metabolism proteins, regulate lipid peroxidation, and regulate antioxidant systems, has promise as a potential therapeutic agent in mediating ferroptosis. The availability of approved drugs targeting ferroptosis is limited; therefore, melatonin is a candidate for broad application due to its safety and efficacy in attenuating ferroptosis in noncancerous diseases. Melatonin has been demonstrated to attenuate ferroptosis in cellular and animal models of noncancerous diseases, showcasing effectiveness in organs such as the heart, brain, lung, liver, kidney, and bone. This review outlines the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, investigates melatonin's potential effects on ferroptosis, and discusses melatonin's therapeutic potential as a promising intervention against diseases associated with ferroptosis. Through this discourse, we aim to lay a strong foundation for developing melatonin as a therapeutic strategy to modulate ferroptosis in a variety of disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongni Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaotong Jia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Duomao Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.
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