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Zhang L, Tao M, Zhang H, Zhang S, Hou X, Zong C, Sun G, Feng S, Yan H, Lu Y, Yang X, Wei L, Zhang L. Lipopolysaccharide modification enhances the inhibitory effect of clodronate liposomes on hepatic fibrosis by depletion of macrophages and hepatic stellate cells. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 395:111015. [PMID: 38663797 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111015] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a complex chronic liver disease in which both macrophages and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play important roles. Many studies have shown that clodronate liposomes (CLD-lipos) effectively deplete macrophages. However, no liposomes have been developed that target both HSCs and macrophages. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of lipopolysaccharide-coupled clodronate liposomes (LPS-CLD-lipos) and the effects of liposomes size on hepatic fibrosis. Three rat models of hepatic fibrosis were established in vivo; diethylnitrosamine (DEN), bile duct ligation (BDL), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Hematoxylin and eosin staining and serological liver function indices were used to analyze pathological liver damage. Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining were used to evaluate the effect of liposomes on liver collagen fibers. The hydroxyproline content in liver tissues was determined. In vitro cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and immunofluorescence assays were used to further explore the effects of LPS modification and liposomes size on the killing of macrophages and HSCs. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that 200 nm LPS-CLD-lipos significantly inhibited hepatic fibrosis and the abnormal deposition of collagen fibers in the liver and improved the related indicators of liver function. Further results showed that 200 nm LPS-CLD-lipos increased the clearance of macrophages and induced apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells, significantly. The present study demonstrated that 200 nm LPS-CLD-lipos could significantly inhibit hepatic fibrosis and improve liver function-related indices and this study may provide novel ideas and directions for hepatic fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Clinical Research Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Tao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Clinical Research Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hengyan Zhang
- Clinical Research Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shichao Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojuan Hou
- The National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China; Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Zong
- The National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China; Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gangqi Sun
- Molecular Pathology Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyao Feng
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Haixin Yan
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Yang
- The National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China; Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lixin Wei
- The National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China; Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Clinical Research Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Profiling Analysis of ANIT-Induced Cholestasis and the Effects of Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi Decoction Intervention. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0324222. [PMID: 36409145 PMCID: PMC9769994 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03242-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholestasis is characterized by bile acid (BA) circulation disorders, which is usually related to damage of hepatocyte barrier function. Currently, patients with cholestasis face several obstacles in seeking diagnosis and therapy. Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction (DHXSD) is an ancient classic formula that has been used clinically for cholestasis treatment. Nevertheless, the underlying biological activities and therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, an alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis rat model was established to examine the anticholestatic effects of DHXSD using histopathological and molecular analyses. Transcriptomic analysis combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis was systematically applied to study the mechanism of action of DHXSD. Simultaneously, the effect of DHXSD on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and intestinal barrier function were evaluated based on the ANIT-induced cholestasis model in rats. The results showed that DHXSD effectively attenuated ANIT-induced cholestasis by reducing liver function indicators (alanine transaminase [ALT], P < 0.05; alkaline phosphatase [ALP], P < 0.05; total bile acid [TBA], P < 0.01; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT], P < 0.001) and levels of hepatotoxicity-related enzymes (P < 0.05), thus improving the recovery of histopathological injuries, and regulating levels of inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis combined with intestinal barrier function analysis revealed that the DHXSD significantly ameliorated ANIT-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. Significantly altered genes in the model and treatment groups were screened using transcriptomic analysis. Sixty-eight genes and four microbial genera were simultaneously altered with opposing trends in variation after ANIT and DHXSD treatments. We built a framework for predicting targets and host-microbe interaction mechanisms, as well as identifying alternative treatment for cholestasis, which should be validated further for clinical application. In conclusion, DHXSD appears to be a promising agent for protection against liver injury. IMPORTANCE Cholestasis is a serious manifestation of liver diseases resulting in liver injury, fibrosis, and liver failure with limited therapies. To date, only ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cholestasis. However, approximately one-third of patients with cholestasis are unresponsive to UDCA. Therefore, it is urgent to search for appropriate therapeutic agents for restoring stoppage status of the bile components to treat cholestasis. In this study, we investigated how the microbiome and transcriptome data sets correlated with each other to clarify the role of microbiome alterations in host metabolism. In combination, this research offers potential molecular biomarkers that should be validated for more accurate diagnosis of cholestasis and the clinical utilisation of gut microbiota as a target for treatment.
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Wu P, Luo X, Sun M, Sun B, Sun M. Synergetic regulation of kupffer cells, extracellular matrix and hepatic stellate cells with versatile CXCR4-inhibiting nanocomplex for magnified therapy in liver fibrosis. Biomaterials 2022; 284:121492. [PMID: 35395456 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-targeted delivery is an attractive strategy for liver fibrosis therapy, but the efficacy is hampered by poor delivery of nanomaterials and complicated microenvironments of the fibrotic liver. Here, we report a versatile CXCR4-inhibiting nanocomplex composed of polymeric CXCR4 antagonism (PAMD, PA), CLD (clodronate) and siPAI-1 (siRNA of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) that surmounts multiple barriers to improve the outcome by co-regulating Kupffer cells (KCs), extracellular matrix (ECM) and HSCs. Upon encountering biological barriers, the nanocomplex exerted penetrating and targeting functions, efficiently overcoming KCs capture, ECM trapping and nonspecific recognition of HSCs, finally contributing to the enhanced HSCs uptake. Moreover, an enlarged antifibrotic activity is realized through synergetic regulation of KCs apoptosis, ECM degradation and HSCs inactivation. Overall, such a versatile nanocomplex provides a framework for designing HSC-targeted delivery system and has valuable potential as a novel antifibrotic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengkai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xinping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Meiling Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Beicheng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Minjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Yu H, Liu C, Zhang F, Wang J, Han J, Zhou X, Wen Y, Shen T. Efficacy of Zhuyu Pill Intervention in a Cholestasis Rat Model: Mutual Effects on Fecal Metabolism and Microbial Diversity. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:695035. [PMID: 34539394 PMCID: PMC8443775 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.695035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholestasis is a clinical condition resulting from impaired bile flow. Currently, patients with cholestasis face several barriers in seeking diagnosis and treatment. Zhuyu Pill (ZYP) is an ancient classic formula of the Coptis-Evodia herb couples (CEHC), and has been used for cholestasis treatment in the clinic, however, its underlying biological activity in cholestasis remain to be clarified. In this study, an α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT, 50 mg/kg)-induced rat model of cholestasis was treated with ZYP. Serum biochemical indices and histopathological evaluation was performed, together with the metabolomics analyses of feces and 16S rDNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota. We evaluated the anti-cholestatic activity of ZYP and investigated the mechanisms underlying its correlation with fecal microbiota and fecal metabolite regulation. The relationships between biochemical indices and changes in gene expression associated with liver injury, levels fecal metabolites, and composition of fecal microbiota were analyzed. The results showed that both high (1.2 g/kg) and low (0.6 g/kg) doses of ZYP could effectively improve biochemical parameters in the blood of cholestasis-induced rat models; the intervention effect of high dose ZYP was superior to that that of lower dose ZYP. Based on a metabolomics test of fecal samples, significantly altered metabolites in the ANIT and ZYP treatment group were identified. In total, 734 metabolites were differentially expressed, and whose biological functions were mainly associated with amino acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and bile secretion. In addition, sequencing of the 16S rDNA unit in fecal samples revealed that the ZYP could improve the fecal microbiota dysbiosis that ANIT had induced. Therefore, we conclude that ANIT altering of blood biochemical and metabolic profiles and of fecal microbiota could effectively be alleviated with ZYP treatment. This study contributes to the “TCM wisdom” applied in clinical diagnosis and treatment of cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fenghua Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianfei Wang
- Department of Nephrology, South of Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Han
- Department of Reader Service and Culture Education, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yueqiang Wen
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Shen
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Chen Z, Wu Y, Wang B, Fang J, Gan C, Sang C, Dun Z, Luosang T, Wang Q, Zeren D, Xiong T. Intrahepatic cholestasis induced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate can cause gut-liver axis disorders. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 86:103672. [PMID: 33989784 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Clinical studies have shown that Intrahepatic cholestasis is closely related to intestinal injury. The gut-liver axis theory suggests that the intestine and liver are closely related, and that bile acids are important mediators linking the intestine and liver. We compared two cholestasis models: a single injection model that received a single subcutaneous ANIT injection (75 mg/kg), and a multiple subcutaneous injection model that received an injection of ANIT (50 mg/kg) every other day for 2 weeks. We used Transmetil (ademetionine 1,4-butanedisulfonate) to relieve intrahepatic cholestasis in the multiple injection group. In the multiple injection group, we found increased hepatic bile duct hyperplasia, increased fibrosis of the liver, increased small intestine inflammation and oxidative damage, increased harmful bile acids, decreased bile acids transporter levels. After treatment with Transmetil, the liver and gut injuries were relieved. These results suggest that intrahepatic cholestasis can cause disorders of the gut-liver axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyuan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuhuan Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bixia Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jiamin Fang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Changlian Gan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chuanlan Sang
- Laboratory of Experimental Animal, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Zhu Dun
- Research Department, University of Tibetan Medicine, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Tajie Luosang
- Research Department, University of Tibetan Medicine, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Dawa Zeren
- Research Department, University of Tibetan Medicine, Lhasa, 850000, China.
| | - Tianqin Xiong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestatic mice display anxiety-like behavior closely related with enhanced serotoninergic signaling transduction in central nervous system. Neuroreport 2021; 31:530-536. [PMID: 32282584 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cholestasis is a pathophysiological process caused by the damage of hepatocytes or obstruction of bile flow, which often leads to emotional disorder in central nervous system. Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) is the most widely used chemical to induce cholestatic models; however, the neurobehavior of ANIT-induced cholestatic model has not been investigated. The present study was designed to evaluate the anxiety-like behavior of cholestatic mice induced by a single (i.p.) injection of ANIT and its potential mechanism. For validating the model, the alanine aminotransferase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bile acid in the serum of mice were detected, and the pathological sections of hepatic lobes were also observed. After that, a series of behavioral tests were used to detect the anxiety-like behavioral changes of the ANIT-induced cholestatic mice, and then the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in serum and prefrontal cortex were detected. Our data showed that ANIT-induced cholestatic mice exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors in the open-field test and elevated plus maze test. Moreover, the concentration of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid significantly decreased in the serum and the prefrontal cortex of ANIT-induced cholestatic mice compared with the control group. In addition, the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A, 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C, 5-hydroxytryptamine 3A, and 5-hydroxytryptamine 7 receptors increased in the prefrontal cortex of the model mice compared to their controls. Our results suggest that ANIT-induced cholestatic mice can display anxiety-like behavior closely related with enhanced serotoninergic signaling transduction in central nervous system.
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Lim D, Kim W, Lee C, Bae H, Kim J. Macrophage Depletion Protects against Cigarette Smoke-Induced Inflammatory Response in the Mouse Colon and Lung. Front Physiol 2018; 9:47. [PMID: 29483875 PMCID: PMC5816061 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoke (CS) is considered as a major risk factor for pulmonary and intestinal inflammation. CS leads to macrophage infiltration in the mucosae of the lung and colon, inducing the uncontrolled secretion of inflammatory mediators, and thus promoting inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated whether macrophage depletion modulates cigarette smoke (CS)-induced inflammatory response in both the lung and colon. The mice were exposed to CS for 30 min, after which they were rested in a fresh air environment for 30 min. The total duration of exposure to CS was 2 h per day for 4 weeks. Macrophage depletion state was made with the injection of clodronate containing liposome. Individual body weights were measured twice a week, and the mice were sacrificed on day 28. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed in the lung and colon tissue to determine histological changes. Inflammatory mediators' synthesis was analyzed using ELISA and western blotting. Clodronate liposome treatment ameliorated pathological changes associated with the infiltration of immune cells in the lung and colon. Also, clodronate liposome injected mice showed significantly lower level of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokine and proteases. Our results indicated that macrophage depletion by clodronate liposome treatment attenuates CS-induced inflammatory response in both the lung and colon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahae Lim
- Department of Korean Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woogyeong Kim
- Department of Korean Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chanju Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinju Kim
- Department of Korean Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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