Lycium barbarum polysaccharide attenuates alcoholic cellular injury through TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

The roles and potential mechanisms of plant polysaccharides in liver diseases: a review

Plant polysaccharides (PP) demonstrate a diverse array of biological and pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review aims to compile and present the multifaceted roles and underlying mechanisms of plant polysaccharides in various liver diseases. These diseases include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), fibrosis, drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to elucidate the intricate mechanisms and therapeutic potential of plant polysaccharides, shedding light on their significance and potential applications in the management and potential prevention of these liver conditions. An exhaustive literature search was conducted for this study, utilizing prominent databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI. The search criteria focused on the formula "(plant polysaccharides liver disease) NOT (review)" was employed to ensure the inclusion of original research articles up to the year 2023. Relevant literature was extracted and analyzed from these databases. Plant polysaccharides exhibit promising pharmacological properties, particularly in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism and their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The ongoing progress of studies on the molecular mechanisms associated with polysaccharides will offer novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic liver diseases (CLDs).

Comparative evaluation of four Lycium barbarum cultivars on NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mice via multivariate statistical analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (goji berry) is a traditional Chinese medicine and is often used to improve vision. While various goji cultivars may differentially treat retinal degeneration, however their comparative effectiveness remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the protective effects of four goji cultivars on NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mouse model and identify the most therapeutically potent cultivar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The principal compounds in the extracts of four goji cultivars were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. A retinal degeneration mouse model was established via NaIO3 injection. Dark-light transition and TUNEL assays were used to assess visual function and retinal apoptosis. The levels of antioxidative, inflammatory, and angiogenic markers in serums and eyeballs were measured. Hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to objectively compare the treatment responses.

RESULTS

Sixteen compounds were identified in goji berry extracts. All goji berry extracts could reverse NaIO3-induced visual impairment, retinal damage and apoptosis. The samples from the cultivar of Ningqi No.1 significantly modulated oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels, which are more effectively than the other cultivars based on integrated multivariate profiling.

CONCLUSION

Ningqi No.1 demonstrated a stronger protective effect on mouse retina than other goji cultivars, and is a potential variety for further research on the treatment of retinal degeneration.

Lactococcus garvieae exerts a critical role in inducing inflammation in dairy mastitis by triggering NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in MAC-T cells

Lactococcus garvieae (L. garvieae) is a pathogenic bacterium that is Gram-positive and catalase-negative (GPCN), and it is capable of growing in a wide range of environmental conditions. This bacterium is associated with significant mortality and losses in fisheries, and there are concerns regarding its potential as a zoonotic pathogen, given its presence in cattle and dairy products. While we have identified and characterized virulent strains of L. garvieae through phenotyping and molecular typing studies, their impact on mammary tissue remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the pathogenicity of strong and weak virulent strains of L. garvieae using in vivo mouse models. We aim to establish MAC-T cell model to examine potential injury caused by the strong virulent strain LG41 through the TLR2/NLRP3/NF-kB pathway. Furthermore, we assess the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in dairy mastitis by silencing NLRP3. The outcomes of this study will yield crucial theoretical insights into the potential mechanisms involved in mastitis in cows caused by the L. garvieae-induced inflammatory response in MAC-T cells.

Ethanol causes non-communicable disease through activation of NLRP3 inflammasome: a review on mechanism of action and potential interventions

Background: Ethanol exposure has been suggested to be implicated in the initiation and progression of several non-communicable diseases (NCD), including neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, alcoholic liver disease, gastric injury, pancreatitis, and atherosclerosis. Recent findings show that the NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in the progression of ethanol-induced NCDs.Objective: The aim of this review was to summarize the research progress on NCDs associated with the action of the NLRP3 inflammasome by ethanol and potential interventions, with a specific focus on preclinical literature.Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed using the keywords "[ethanol] and [NLRP3]" up until January 2023. Articles describing cases of NCDs caused by ethanol and associated with the NLRP3 inflammasome were included.Results: After removing duplicates, 35 articles were included in this review. These studies, mostly conducted in animals or in vitro, provide evidence that ethanol can contribute to the development of NCDs, such as neurological disorders, alcoholic liver disease, gastric injury, pancreatitis, and atherosclerosis, by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Ethanol exposure primarily triggers NLRP3 inflammasome activation by influencing the TRL/NF-κB, ROS-TXNIP-NLRP3 and P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) signaling pathways. Several natural extracts and compounds have been found to alleviate NCDs caused by ethanol consumption by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.Conclusion: Preclinical research supports a role for ethanol-induced NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of NCDs. However, the clinical relevance remains uncertain in the relative absence of clinical studies.

Functional Food Chemical Ingredient Strategies for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Hepatic Fibrosis: Chemical Properties, Health Benefits, Action, and Application

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The liver is an important digestive gland in the body. Lifestyle and dietary habits are increasingly damaging our liver, leading to various diseases and health problems. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most serious liver disease problems in the world. Diet is one of the important factors in maintaining liver health. Functional foods and their components have been identified as novel sources of potential preventive agents in the prevention and treatment of liver disease in daily life. However, the effects of functional components derived from small molecules in food on different types of liver diseases have not been systematically summarized.

RECENT FINDINGS

The components and related mechanisms in functional foods play a significant role in the development and progression of NAFLD and liver fibrosis. A variety of structural components are found to treat and prevent NAFLD and liver fibrosis through different mechanisms, including flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, and peptides. On the other hand, the relevant mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune regulation, and a large number of literature studies have confirmed a close relationship between the mechanisms. The purpose of this article is to examine the current literature related to functional foods and functional components used for the treatment and protection against NAFLD and hepatic fibrosis, focusing on chemical properties, health benefits, mechanisms of action, and application in vitro and in vivo. The roles of different components in the biological processes of NAFLD and liver fibrosis were also discussed.

The protective effect of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide on alcoholic liver injury in C57BL/6 mice

An alcohol-induced liver injury model was induced in C57BL/6 mice to assess the protective efficacy of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharides (EP) against liver damage. Histological alterations in the liver were examined following hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Biochemical assay kits and ELISA kits were employed to analyze serum and liver biochemical parameters, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes and alcohol metabolism-related enzymes. The presence of oxidative stress-related proteins in the liver was detected using western blotting. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to profile serum metabolites in mice. The findings demonstrated that EP-H (100 mg/Kg) reduced serum ALT and AST activity by 2.31-fold and 2.32-fold, respectively, when compared to the alcohol-induced liver injury group. H&E staining revealed a significant attenuation of microvesicular steatosis and ballooning pathology in the EP-H group compared to the model group. EP administration was found to enhance alcohol metabolism by regulating metabolite-related enzymes (ADH and ALDH) and decreasing CYP2E1 expression. EP also modulated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to bolster hepatic antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, EP restored the levels of lipid metabolites (Glycine, Butanoyl-CoA, and Acetyl-CoA) to normalcy. In summary, EP confers protection to the liver through the regulation of antioxidant activity and lipid metabolites in the murine liver.

Wolfberry, Yam, and Chrysanthemum polysaccharides increased intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila abundance and hepatic YAP1 expression to alleviate DILI

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is frequently induced by high dose of acetaminophen (APAP) and is concomitant with disturbances of gut flora. Akkermansia muciniphila is beneficial for the repair of liver injury. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide, yam polysaccharide, and chrysanthemum polysaccharide all have anti-inflammatory and antioxidation effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of lycium barbarum polysaccharide, yam polysaccharide, and chrysanthemum polysaccharide (LYC) in improving DILI by increasing the abundance of A. muciniphila. Initially, screening for the optimal concentrations of wolfberry, yam, and chrysanthemum (WYC) or LYC to promote A. muciniphila proliferation in vitro and validated in antibiotic (ATB)-treated KM mice. Subsequently, APAP-induced DILI model in BALB/c mice were constructed to examine the treatment effects of LYC. Our findings indicate that the optimal concentration ratio of WYC was 2:3:2, and LYC was 1:1:1. WYC increased A. muciniphila proliferation in vitro and in ATB-treated mice under this ratio. Meanwhile, LYC increased A. muciniphila abundance in vitro and the combination LYC with A. muciniphila promoted the proliferation of A. muciniphila in ATB-treated mice. The overdose of APAP resulted in the impairment of the intestinal barrier function and subsequent leakage of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, LYC increased A. muciniphila abundance, reduced intestinal inflammation and permeability, and upregulated the expression of the tight junction protein zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1) and occludin contents in the gut. Lastly, LYC inhibited LPS leakage and upregulated hepatic YAP1 expression, ultimately leading to the repair of DILI.

Protective Effects and Mechanism of Polysaccharides from Edible Medicinal Plants in Alcoholic Liver Injury: A Review

Alcohol use accounts for a large variety of diseases, among which alcoholic liver injury (ALI) poses a serious threat to human health. In order to overcome the limitations of chemotherapeutic agents, some natural constituents, especially polysaccharides from edible medicinal plants (PEMPs), have been applied for the prevention and treatment of ALI. In this review, the protective effects of PEMPs on acute, subacute, subchronic, and chronic ALI are summarized. The pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury is analyzed. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) and safety of PEMPs are discussed. In addition, the mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective activity of polysaccharides from edible medicinal plants is explored. PEMPs with hepatoprotective activities mainly belong to the families Orchidaceae, Solanaceae, and Liliaceae. The possible mechanisms of PEMPs include activating enzymes related to alcohol metabolism, attenuating damage from oxidative stress, regulating cytokines, inhibiting the apoptosis of hepatocytes, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating the gut microbiota. Strategies for further research into the practical application of PEMPs for ALI are proposed. Future studies on the mechanism of action of PEMPs will need to focus more on the utilization of multi-omics approaches, such as proteomics, epigenomics, and lipidomics.

Lycium barbarum glycopeptide alleviates neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury via modulating docosahexaenoic acid to inhibiting MAPKs/NF-kB and pyroptosis pathways

BACKGROUND

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is an active ingredient extracted from Lycium barbarum that inhibits neuroinflammation, and Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGp) is a glycoprotein with immunological activity that was purified and isolated from LBP. Previous studies have shown that LbGp can regulate the immune microenvironment, but its specific mechanism of action remains unclear.

AIMS

In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of action of LbGp in the treatment of spinal cord injury through metabolomics and molecular experiments.

METHODS

SD male rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, and after establishing the spinal cord hemisection model, LbGp was administered orally. Spinal cord tissue was sampled on the seventh day after surgery for molecular and metabolomic experiments. In vitro, LbGp was administered to mimic the inflammatory microenvironment by activating microglia, and its mechanism of action in suppressing neuroinflammation was further elaborated using metabolomics and molecular biology techniques such as western blotting and q-PCR.

RESULTS

In vivo and in vitro experiments found that LbGp can improve the inflammatory microenvironment by inhibiting the NF-kB and pyroptosis pathways. Furthermore, LbGp induced the secretion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by microglia, and DHA inhibited neuroinflammation through the MAPK/NF-κB and pyroptosis pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, we hypothesize that LbGp improves the inflammatory microenvironment by regulating the secretion of DHA by microglia and thereby inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB and pyroptosis pathways and promoting nerve repair and motor function recovery. This study provides a new direction for the treatment of spinal cord injury and elucidates the potential mechanism of action of LbGp.

P2X7 Receptor in Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis

Alcoholic liver disease is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world. It is a liver disease caused by prolonged heavy drinking and its main clinical features are nausea, vomiting, enlargement of the liver, and jaundice. Recent studies suggest that Kupffer cell-mediated inflammatory response is a core driver in the development of alcoholic steatohepatitis and alcoholic liver fibrosis. As a danger signal, extracellular ATP activates the assembly of NLPR3 inflammasome by acting on purine P2X7 receptor, the activated NLRP3 inflammasome prompts ASC to cleave pro-cCaspase-1 into active caspase-1in KCs. Active caspase-1 promotes the conversion of pro-IL-1β to IL-1β, which further enhances the inflammatory response. Here, we briefly review the role of the P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome axis in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease and the evolution of alcoholic steatohepatitis and alcoholic liver fibrosis. Regulation of the inflammasome axis of P2X7R-NLRP3 may be a new approach for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of an Ethanolic Extract of Lycium chinense Root against Particulate Matter 10-Induced Cell Death and Inflammation in RBL-2H3 Basophil Cells and BALB/c Mice

Particulate matters (PMs) from polluted air cause diverse pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, including lung inflammation. While the fruits (Goji) of Lycium trees are commonly consumed as traditional medicine and functional food ingredients, the majority of their roots are discarded as by-products. To enhance the industrial applicability of Lycium roots, we prepared an ethanol extract (named GR30) of L. chinense Miller roots and evaluated its potential protective effects against particulate matter 10 (PM10)-induced inflammation and immune cell death. The GR30 treatment (0–500 μg/mL) significantly attenuated the PM10-induced cell cycle arrest, DNA fragmentation and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in RBL-2H3 basophil cells. GR30 also significantly antagonized the PM10-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-α) and COX2 expression through downregulation of MAPKs (ERK and JNK) signalling pathway. Oral administration of GR30 (200–400 mg/kg) to PM10 (20 mg/mL)-challenged mice significantly reduced the serum levels of IgE and the expression of TNF-α and Bax in lung tissues, which were elevated by PM10 exposure. These results revealed that the ethanolic extract (GR30) of L. chinense Miller roots exhibited anti-inflammatory and cyto-protective activity against PM10-induced inflammation and basophil cell death, and thus, it would be useful in functional food industries to ameliorate PM-mediated damage to respiratory and immune systems.

Pharmacological effects of Chinese medicine modulating NLRP3 inflammasomes in fatty liver treatment

Inflammation is a key contributing factor in the pathogenesis of fatty liver diseases (FLD), such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-associated liver diseases (ALDs). The NLRP3 inflammasome is widely present in the hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, which are assembled and activated by sensing intracellular and extracellular danger signals resulting in the matures of IL-1β/IL-18 and pyroptosis. Moreover, the aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is considered the main factor to drives immune outbreaks in relation to hepatic injury, inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis. Therefore, inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome may be a promising therapeutic target for FLD. Currently, accumulating evidence has revealed that a number of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) exert beneficial effects on liver injury via inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Here, we summarized the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasomes in the progression of FLD, and TCM exerts beneficial effects on FLD via positive modulation of inflammation. We describe that TCM is a promising valuable resource for the prevention and treatment agents against FLD and has the potential to be developed into clinical drugs.

The Regulatory Roles of Polysaccharides and Ferroptosis-Related Phytochemicals in Liver Diseases

Liver disease is a global health burden with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Liver injuries can develop into severe end-stage diseases, such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, without valid treatment. Therefore, identifying novel drugs may promote liver disease treatment. Phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes, are abundant in foods and medicinal plants and have various bioactivities, such as antioxidation, immunoregulation, and tumor killing. Recent studies have shown that many natural polysaccharides play protective roles in liver disease models in vitro and in vivo, such as fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, and liver cancer. The mechanisms of liver disease are complex. Notably, ferroptosis, a new type of cell death driven by iron and lipid peroxidation, is considered to be the key mechanism in many hepatic pathologies. Therefore, polysaccharides and other types of phytochemicals with activities in ferroptosis regulation provide novel therapeutic strategies for ferroptosis-related liver diseases. This review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms of ferroptosis and liver injury and compelling preclinical evidence of natural bioactive polysaccharides and phytochemicals in treating liver disease.

MiR-1224-5p attenuates polycystic ovary syndrome through inhibiting NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation via targeting Forkhead box O 1

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that poses a great threat to women's health. MiR-1224-5p is downregulated in the follicular fluid of patients with PCOS, but its role remains largely unknown. In this study, mice were treated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to establish an in vivo model of PCOS. We found that enhanced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was accompanied by downregulation of miR-1224-5p in ovarian tissue of PCOS mice. The effect of miR-1224-5p was further explored in TNF-α-treated human granulosa-like tumor (KGN) cells. Upregulation of miR-1224-5p suppressed TNF-α-induced secretion of DHEA and testosterone. MiR-1224-5p attenuated TNF-α-induced inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1β synthesis, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 nuclear translocation. Notably, miR-1224-5p decreased the expression of Forkhead box O 1 (FOXO1) and its downstream gene thioredoxin interaction protein (TXNIP). Luciferase reporter assay confirmed FOXO1 as a target of miR-1224-5p. Upregulation of FOXO1 abolished miR-1224-5p-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, demonstrating that miR-1224-5p might inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation through regulating FOXO1. This study provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of PCOS and suggested that miR-1224-5p might be a promising target for treating PCOS.

Study on the Efficacy and Mechanism of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide against Lead-Induced Renal Injury in Mice

Lead is one of the most common heavy metal pollutants in the environment. Prolonged exposure to lead will induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the kidneys, which in turn causes kidney injury. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is well known for its numerous pharmacological properties. This study aims to explore the efficacy and mechanism of LBP against lead-induced kidney damage in mice. Symptoms of renal injury were induced in mice by using 25 mg/kg lead acetate (PbAc₂), and different doses of LBP (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg BW) were orally administrated to PbAc₂-treated mice for five weeks. The results of the pharmacodynamics experiment showed that the renal pathological damages, serum creatinine (Cre), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and kidney index of PbAc₂-treated mice could be significantly alleviated by treatment with LBP. Further, LBP treatment significantly increased the weight and feed intake of PbAc₂-treated mice. The dose effect results indicated that a medium dose of LBP was superior to high and low doses. The results of mechanistic experiments showed that LBP could attenuate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the kidneys of mice with lead toxicity by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in ageing and its potential use for prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), the most abundant functional component of wolfberry, is considered a potent antioxidant and an anti-ageing substance. This review aims to outline the hallmarks of ageing in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), followed by the current understanding of the senolytic effect of LBP and its potential use in the prevention and treatment of OA. This will be discussed through the lens of molecular biology and herbal medicine.

METHODS

A literature search was performed from inception to March 2020 using following keywords: "Lycium barbarum polysaccharide", "DNA damage", antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, anti-ageing, osteoarthritis, chondrocytes, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and "bone mesenchymal stem cell". The initial search yielded 2287 papers, from which 35 studies were selected for final analysis after screening for topic relevancy by the authors.

RESULTS

In literature different in vitro and in vivo ageing models are used to demonstrate LBP's ability to reduce oxidative stress, restore mitochondrial function, mitigate DNA damage, and prevent cellular senescence. All the evidence hints that LBP theoretically attenuates senescent cell accumulation and suppresses the senescence-associated secretory phenotype as observed by the reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, like interleukin-1beta, and matrix-degrading enzymes, such as MMP-1 and MMP-13. However, there remains a lack of evidence on the disease-modifying effect of LBP in OA, although its chondroprotective, osteoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects were reported.

CONCLUSION

Our findings strongly support further investigations into the senolytic effect of LBP in the context of age-related OA.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Ameliorates Sjögren's Syndrome in a Murine Model

SCOPE

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Non-obese diabetic mice (the pSS model) are randomly divided into four groups: Low dose LBP (LBP.L, 5 mg kg-1  d-1 ), high dose LBP (10 mg kg-1  d-1 ), low dose interleukin (IL)-2 (25 000 IU/d), and control (saline water). Drugs were treated for 12 weeks. LBP.L significantly reduces the salivary gland inflammation compared with the control group (histological score p LBP.L vs Control  = 0.019; foci number: p LBP.L vs Control  = 0.038). LBP.L also remarkably reduces the effector follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and the CD4+ IL-17A+ helper T (Th17) cells in both spleen and cervical lymph node (cLN) cells. Additionally, the ratios of regulatory T cell (Treg)/Tfh cells and Treg/Th17 cells are substantially increased in mice treated with LBP.L in both spleen and cLNs. LBP also inhibits Th17 and Tfh cells and markedly increases the Treg/Tfh ratio in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

CONCLUSION

LBP.L inhibits the progression of pSS in mice, associated with modulation of T cell differentiation.

The Purinergic P2X7 Receptor-NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway: A New Target in Alcoholic Liver Disease?

The World Health Organization has estimated that approximately 3 million deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption each year. Alcohol consumption is notably associated with the development and/or progression of many non-communicable inflammatory diseases-particularly in the liver. Although these alcoholic liver diseases were initially thought to be caused by the toxicity of ethanol on hepatocytes, the latest research indicates Kupffer cells (the liver macrophages) are at the heart of this "inflammatory shift". Purinergic signaling (notably through P2X7 receptors and the NLRP3 inflammasome) by Kupffer cells appears to be a decisive factor in the pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease. Hence, the modulation of purinergic signaling might represent a new means of treating alcoholic liver disease. Here, we review current knowledge on the pathophysiology of alcoholic liver diseases and therapeutic perspectives for targeting these inflammatory pathways.

Regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with natural products against chemical-induced liver injury

The past decades have witnessed significant progress in understanding the process of sterile inflammation, which is dependent on a cytosolic complex termed the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome requires two steps, including the activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) by its ligands, resulting in transcriptional procytokine and inflammasome component activation, and the assembly and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome triggered by various danger signals, leading to caspase-1 activation, which could subsequently cleave procytokines into their active forms. Metabolic disorders, ischemia and reperfusion, viral infection and chemical insults are common pathogenic factors of liver-related diseases that usually cause tissue damage and cell death, providing numerous danger signals for the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Currently, natural products have attracted much attention as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases due to their multitargets and nontoxic natures. A great number of natural products have been shown to exhibit beneficial effects on liver injury induced by various chemicals through regulating NLRP3 inflammasome pathways. In this review, the roles of the NLRP3 inflammasome in chemical-induced liver injury (CILI) and natural products that exhibit beneficial effects in CILI through the regulation of inflammasomes were systematically summarized.

Identification of Crucial lncRNAs, miRNAs, mRNAs, and Potential Therapeutic Compounds for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Bioinformatics Analysis

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed at mining crucial long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) based on the coexpression and the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) theories and investigating the underlying therapeutic drugs that may function by reversing the expression of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs.

METHODS

RNA (GSE106724, GSE114419, GSE137684, and GSE138518) or miRNA (GSE84376 and GSE138572) expression profile datasets of PCOS patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) using four RNA datasets was conducted to construct the lncRNA-mRNA coexpression networks, while the common differentially expressed miRNAs in two miRNA datasets and module RNAs were used to establish the ceRNA network. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created to explore the potential interactions between genes. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore the functions of genes in networks. Connectivity Map (CMap) and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) analyses were performed to identify potential therapeutic agents for PCOS.

RESULTS

Three modules (black, magenta, and yellow) were identified to be PCOS-related after WGCNA analysis, in which KLF3-AS1-PLCG2, MAPKAPK5-AS1-MAP3K14, and WWC2-AS2-TXNIP were important coexpression relationship pairs. WWC2-AS2-hsa-miR-382-PLCG2 was a crucial ceRNA loop in the ceRNA network. The PPI network showed that MAP3K14 and TXNIP could interact with hub genes PLK1 (degree = 21) and TLR1 (degree = 18), respectively. These genes were enriched into mitosis (PLK1), immune response (PLCG2 and TLR1), and cell cycle (TXNIP and PLK1) biological processes. Ten small molecule drugs (especially quercetin) were considered to be therapeutical for PCOS.

CONCLUSION

Our study may provide a novel insight into the mechanisms and therapy for PCOS.

TXNIP/TBP-2: A Master Regulator for Glucose Homeostasis

Identification of thioredoxin binding protein-2 (TBP-2), which is currently known as thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), as an important binding partner for thioredoxin (TRX) revealed that an evolutionarily conserved reduction-oxidation (redox) signal complex plays an important role for pathophysiology. Due to the reducing activity of TRX, the TRX/TXNIP signal complex has been shown to be an important regulator for redox-related signal transduction in many types of cells in various species. In addition to its role in redox-dependent regulation, TXNIP has cellular functions that are performed in a redox-independent manner, which largely rely on their scaffolding function as an ancestral α-Arrestin family. Both the redox-dependent and -independent TXNIP functions serve as regulatory pathways in glucose metabolism. This review highlights the key advances in understanding TXNIP function as a master regulator for whole-body glucose homeostasis. The potential for therapeutic advantages of targeting TXNIP in diabetes and the future direction of the study are also discussed.

The Effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Pyroptosis-Associated Amyloid β1-40 Oligomers-Induced Adult Retinal Pigment Epithelium 19 Cell Damage

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a sight-threatening disease with limited treatment options. We investigated whether amyloid β_1-40 (Aβ_1-40) could cause pyroptosis and evaluated the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on Aβ_1-40 oligomers-induced retinal pigment epithelium 19 (ARPE-19) damage, which is an in vitro AMD model. Aβ_1-40 oligomers verified by Western blot were added to ARPE-19 cells with or without 24 h LBP treatment. Aβ_1-40 oligomers significantly decreased ARPE-19 cell viability with obvious morphological changes under light microscopy. SEM revealed swollen cells with a bubbling appearance and ruptured cell membrane, which are morphological characteristics of pyroptosis. ELISA results showed increased expression of IL-1β and IL-18, which are the final products of pyroptosis. LBP administration for 24 h had no toxic effects on ARPE-19 cells and improved cell viability and morphology while disrupting Aβ_1-40 oligomerization in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Aβ_1-40 oligomers up-regulated the cellular immunoreactivity of pyroptosis markers including NOD-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and membrane N-terminal cleavage product of GSDMD (GSDMD-N), which could be reversed by LBP treatment. Taken together, this study showed that LBP effectively protects the Aβ_1-40 oligomers-induced pyroptotic ARPE-19 cell damages by its anti-Aβ_1-40 oligomerization properties and its anti-pyroptotic effects.

The Roles of Endoplasmic Reticulum in NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

The NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-repeat-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3) inflammasome senses pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and activates caspase-1, which provokes release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 as well as pyroptosis to engage in innate immune defense. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large and dynamic endomembrane compartment, critical to cellular function of organelle networks. Recent studies have unveiled the pivotal roles of the ER in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. ER–mitochondria contact sites provide a location for NLRP3 activation, its association with ligands released from or residing in mitochondria, and rapid Ca²⁺ mobilization from ER stores to mitochondria. ER-stress signaling plays a critical role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Lipid perturbation and cholesterol trafficking to the ER activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings emphasize the importance of the ER in initiation and regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Resource, chemical structure and activity of natural polysaccharides against alcoholic liver damages

Many natural polysaccharides from bio-resources hold advantages of multi-functions, high efficiency, non-toxicity or low side effect, and have strong potentials in protection against alcoholic liver damages. This review summarized the bio-resources, chemical and structural characteristics of natural polysaccharides with potentials in inhibition against alcoholic liver damages, and also emphasized knowledge on correlations between their chemical structure and function. Approximately 95 species were confirmed in generation of hepatoprotective polysaccharides. Products as crude polysaccharides originated from 17 species were sum up despite the indetermination of their accurate structure. Additional four polysaccharides were described for their known chemical structures. Possible roles of hepatoprotective polysaccharides were provided with evidence on antioxidant promotion, lipids regulation, apoptosis inhibition and anti-inflammation, as well as confirmations in immune enhancement, iron removal and anti-fibrosis when currently treated against the alcoholic liver damages. To sum up, this overview could serve to guide development and utilization of natural hepatoprotective polysaccharides.

Tamarix chinensis Lour inhibits chronic ethanol-induced liver injury in mice

BACKGROUND

Tamarix chinensis Lour (TCL) is a shrub that usually grows in arid or semiarid desert areas and saline-alkali fields. It is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor activities.

AIM

To investigate the possible protective effects of TCL against liver injury induced by chronic ethanol intake.

METHODS

C57BL/6J male mice were fed a Lieber-DeCarli lipid diet containing alcohol and received (by gavage) a water-alcohol extract (80%) of TCL (100 and 200 mg/kg BW) or distilled water for 4 wk. After euthanasia, liver tissues were observed histologically with hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil red O staining, and the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, hepatic lipids, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase were measured. In addition, expression of the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and downstream proinflammatory cytokines were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with the ethanol group, mice in the TCL-treated group (200 mg/kg) had significantly lower serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (mean, 34.1 IU/L vs 45.3 IU/L, P < 0.01) and aspartate transaminase (mean, 89.6 IU/L vs 115.7 IU/L, P < 0.01), as well as marked reduction of hepatic tissue reactive oxygen species (decreased by 27.5%, P < 0.01) and malondialdehyde (decreased by 76.6%, P < 0.01) levels, with a significant increase of superoxide dismutase (Increased by 73.2%, P < 0.01). Expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6], and recruitment of natural killer T cells to the liver, were reduced in the TCL-treated incubation with a Lieber-DeCaril ethanol lipid diet group.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that a TCL extract (200 mg/kg) protects against chronic ethanol-induced liver injury, probably by inhibiting the NLRP3-caspase-1-IL-1β signaling pathway and suppressing oxidative stress.

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides protected against ethanol-induced acute liver injury in vivo and in vitro via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Alcohol-induced liver injury is characterized by strong inflammation. Polysaccharides separated from herbs can prevent ethanol-induced liver injury. Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo leaves (D. officinale) are a new food resource that contains a certain amount of polysaccharide. However, the hepatoprotective effects and the potential mechanisms of D. officinale polysaccharide (DOP) remain unknown. Thus, this study aimed to assess the hepatoprotective effects and potential mechanism in vivo and in vitro of DOP. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish alcohol-induced liver injury models through the oral gavage of absolute alcohol (5 mL/kg) after the oral administration of DOP (400 and 100 mg/kg) for 30 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for the histological assessments of hepatocyte degeneration, and the AST and ALT levels in the serum and liver tissue were measured. The inflammatory markers were evaluated using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The potential mechanism of DOP in alcohol-induced liver cell (LO2) injury in vitro was further identified. Results showed that DOP clearly decreased the AST in the serum and hepatic tissue, obviously reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and can successfully inhibit NF-κB phosphorylation in vivo. In vitro experiments indicated that DOP increased the LO2 cell viability; prevented LDH release prominently; reduced the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α; and reversed the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, caspase 1, NLRP3, p-NF-κB, and TLR4. Overall, DOP can alleviate ethanol-induced acute liver injury via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Cellular Interplay as a Consequence of Inflammatory Signals Leading to Liver Fibrosis Development

Inflammation has been known to be an important driver of fibrogenesis in the liver and onset of hepatic fibrosis. It starts off as a process meant to protect the liver from further damage, but it can become the main promoter of liver fibrosis. There are many inflammation-related pathways activated during liver fibrosis that lead to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and collagen-deposition in the liver. Such events are mostly modulated upstream of HSCs and involve signals from hepatocytes and innate immune cells. One particular event is represented by cell death during liver injury that generates multiple inflammatory signals that further trigger sterile inflammation and enhancement of inflammatory response. The assembly of inflammasome that responds to danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and at the same time, initiates programmed cell death called pyroptosis. This review focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for initiation and progress of inflammation in the liver.

Purinergic signaling in hepatic disease

Extracellular purines (ATP and adenosine) are ubiquitous intercellular messengers. During tissular damage, they function as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In this context, purines announce tissue alterations to initiate a reparative response that involve the formation of the inflammasome complex and the recruitment of specialized cells of the immune system. The present review focuses on the role of the purinergic system in liver damage, mainly during the onset and development of fibrosis. After hepatocellular injury, extracellular ATP promotes a signaling cascade that ameliorates tissue alterations to restore the hepatic function. However, if cellular damage becomes chronic, ATP orchestrates an aberrant reparative process that results in severe liver diseases such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. ATP and adenosine, their receptors, and extracellular ectonucleotidases are mediators of unique processes that will be reviewed in detail.

In vitro expression of NLRP inflammasome-induced active Caspase-1 expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) by various exogenous threats and subsequent inhibition by naturally derived ingredient blends

Background

The discovery of the nod-like receptor protein (NLRP) inflammasomes in 2002 has led to the rapid identification of these unique cellular proteins as key targets for studies on innate inflammation pathways. The NLRP inflammasomes have been shown to be expressed in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). NLRP inflammasomes in keratinocytes are interesting as these skin cells are the first living cells in the skin to contact external exogenous threats such as UV energy, chemicals, physical trauma, and bacteria and viruses. Activation of the NLRP Inflammasomes by exogenous threats results in the release of active Caspase-1 (ACasp-1), a key protease enzyme, which targets inactive forms of IL-1β, IL-18 as well as IL-1α and IL-33.

Purpose

This article discusses efforts to examine the release of active Caspase-1 from NHEKs activated by various exogenous threats including UVB energy, ATP, Nigericin and Urban Dust. The work further examines if, after inflammasome activation and Caspase-1 release, certain naturally derived botanical ingredients known to have anti-inflammatory effects can function to inhibit upregulation of active Caspase-1.

Methods

NHEK were treated with various doses of UVB, ATP and Nigericin and with a single dose of Urban Dust. ACasp-1 expression was measured after 3 and 20 hours using the Promega Caspase Glo-1 bioluminescent assay. After confirmation that 60 mJ/cm² of UVB and 5mM of ATP were effective to activate NHEK ACasp-1 release after 20 hrs, these conditions were employed to examine the influence of three botanical blends of ingredients on their ability to inhibit ACasp-1 expression.

Results

Initial results demonstrate that NHEKs can be activated to release active Caspase-1 by ATP and UVB, but not by Nigericin or Urban Dust. In addition, it was unexpectedly found that, while ATP and UVB activated NHEKs, the release of ACasp-1-did not happen within the first 3 hours after exposure but did become significant after 20 hours. Additional results indicate that a blend of polysaccharides and two blends of antioxidants, one oil-soluble and the other water-soluble, known for their anti-inflammatory effects, can reduce expression of active Caspase-1 in activated NHEKs when applied extracellularly.

Conclusion

Expression of NLRP activated release of ACasp-1 was found to be influenced by UVB and ATP but not by Nigericin or Urban Dust. The effects were also time dependent. Several botanical extract blends were found to reduce ACasp-1 expression in previously activated NHEKs. Links between these inflammatory effects and processes of cellular inflammaging are discussed.

Hepatoprotective Potential of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum against Acute Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Vitro and Vivo

Natural polysaccharides, particularly galactomannans, are potential candidates for treatment of alcoholic liver diseases (ALD). However, applications are restricted due to the physicochemical properties associated with the high molecular weight. In this work, guar gum galactomannans were partially hydrolyzed by β-mannanase, and the molecular mechanisms of hepatoprotective effects were elucidated both in vitro and in vivo. Release of lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome C were attenuated by partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) in HepG2 cells, due to protected cell and mitochondrial membrane integrity. PHGG co-administration decreased serum amino transaminases and cholinesterase levels of acute alcohol intoxicated mice, while hepatic pathologic morphology was depleted. Activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase was recovered to 198.2, 34.5, 236.0 U/mg protein, respectively, while malondialdehyde level was decreased by 76.3% (PHGG, 1000 mg/kg∙day). Co-administration of PHGG induced a 4.4-fold increment of p-AMPK expression, and lipid metabolism was mediated. PHGG alleviated toll-like-receptor-4-mediated inflammation via the signaling cascade of MyD88 and IκBα, decreasing cytokine production. Moreover, mediated expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was responsible for inhibited acute alcohol-induced apoptosis with suppressed cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP. Findings gained suggest that PHGG can be used as functional food supplement for the treatment of acute alcohol-induced liver injury.

Wolfberry-Derived Zeaxanthin Dipalmitate Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Damage

SCOPE

Besides abstinence and nutritional support, there is no proven clinical treatment for patients with alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Here, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of wolfberry-derived zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD) on AFLD models are demonstrated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The hepatoprotective effects of ZD are evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Direct interacting receptors of ZD on cell membranes are identified by liver-specific knockdown and biophysical measurements. Downstream signaling pathways are delineated using molecular and cellular biological methods. It is demonstrated that ZD attenuates hepatocyte and whole-liver injury in ethanol-treated cells (dose: 1 µm) and a chronic binge AFLD rat model (dose: 10 mg kg^-1 ), respectively. The direct targets of ZD on the cell membrane include receptor P2X7 and adiponectin receptor 1 (adipoR1). Signals from P2X7 and adipoR1 modulate the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase-Akt and/or AMP-activated protein kinase-FoxO3a pathways, to restore mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) functions suppressed by ethanol intoxication. In addition, ZD alleviates hepatic inflammation partially via the inhibition of Nod-like receptor 3 inflammasome, whose activation is a direct consequence of suppressed mitophagy. Liver-specific inhibition of receptors or mitophagy significantly impairs the beneficial effects of ZD.

CONCLUSIONS

ZD is an effective and promising agent for the potential treatment of AFLD.

Repression of TXNIP-NLRP3 axis restores intestinal barrier function via inhibition of myeloperoxidase activity and oxidative stress in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Dysfunction of the intestinal barrier function occurs in hepatic injury, but the specific mechanisms responsible are largely unknown. Recently, NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome functions in impairing endothelial barrier function. In this study, we test the hypothesis that TXNIP-NLRP3 axis repression prevents against intestinal barrier function disruption in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). First, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced alterations in expression of ZO-1 and occludin, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) isolated from C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and TXNIP^-/- mice were evaluated. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of TXNIP knockout in vivo were investigated with the detection of expressions of TXNIP, NLRP3 and ZO-1, and occludin, the interaction of TXNIP-NLRP3, MPO activity, ROS level, permeability of intestinal mucosa, levels of inflammatory factors in serum, and LPS concentration. We identified that TXNIP knockout promoted ZO-1 and occludin expression, yet reduced MPO activity, ROS level, and cell permeability in IECs, indicating restored the intestinal barrier function. However, LPS upregulated TXNIP and NLRP3 expression, as well as contributed to the interaction between TXNIP and NLRP3 in vitro. Furthermore, TXNIP was significantly upregulated in the intestinal mucosa of NASH mice and its knockout repaired the intestinal barrier disrupt, inhibited expression of inflammatory factors, and reduced LPS concentration as well as hepatic injury in vivo. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that inhibited the activation of the TXNIP-NLRP3 axis reduced MPO activity and oxidative stress and thus restoring the intestinal barrier function in NASH. TXNIP-NLRP3 axis may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the NASH treatment.

Triiodothyronine alleviates alcoholic liver disease injury through the negative regulation of the NLRP3 signaling pathway

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of triiodothyronine (T3) on alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-induced injuries in mice. A total of 40 male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into the Control, ALD, ALD+T3 and ALD+T3+AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor (CC) groups. Mice were administered alcohol (4 g/kg/day) intragastrically for 4 weeks except for Control group. Mice in the ALD+T3 group were given T3 (0.1 mg/kg/day) while mice in ALD+T3+CC group were given T3 (0.1 mg/kg/day) and CC (10 mg/kg/day) for 1 week. Control and ALD groups were treated with saline. Liver tissue and blood samples were obtained for testing. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were determined and morphological changes in the liver tissues were observed under the optical microscope. Inflammatory factors, including IL-1β and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/1, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and protein levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat containing family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1 and pro-IL-1β were measured. Serum ALT, AST and TBIL levels in the ALD+T3 group were significantly reduced compared with the ALD group, while they were significantly increased in the ALD+T3+CC group (P<0.05). The number of hepatic lobules in the ALD+T3 group was significantly reduced compared with the ALD group, whereas the number in the ALD+T3+CC group was significantly increased (P<0.05). IL-1β and TGF-β1 levels in the ALD+T3 group were significantly decreased compared with the ALD group; however, levels in the ALD+T3+CC group were significantly increased compared with the ALD+T3 group (P<0.05). In addition, it was revealed that the expression of α-SMA mRNA and protein in the ALD+T3 group was significantly decreased compared with the ALD group, whereas it was significantly increased in the ALD+T3+CC group compared with the ALD+T3 group. Expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and TGF-β1 in the ALD+T3 group was significantly decreased compared with the ALD group, while expression was significantly increased in the ALD+T3+CC group. Conversely, compared with the ALD group, expression of pro-IL-1β was significantly increased in the ALD+T3 group and decreased in the ALD+T3+CC group. In conclusion, T3 may reduce the inflammatory response and severity of liver cirrhosis in mice with ALD by negatively regulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Co-stimulation of LPAR1 and S1PR1/3 increases the transplantation efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cells in drug-induced and alcoholic liver diseases

Background

One of the major obstacles facing stem cell therapy is the limited number of functional stem cells available after transplantation due to the harsh microenvironment surrounding the damaged tissue. The aim of this study was to delineate the mechanistic involvement of lysophosphatidic acid receptors (LPARs) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) in the regulation of anti-stress and transplantation efficacy of stem cells.

Methods

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) were treated with chemical toxin or ethanol to induce cell stress. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and/or sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were co-treated to examine their protective effects and mechanisms on stem cell damage. Acute liver failure and alcoholic liver disease murine models were also established to test the transplantation efficacy of hADMSCs with or without LPA/S1P pre-incubation.

Results

Co-stimulation of LPAR₁ by LPA and S1PR_1/3 by S1P synergistically enhanced the anti-stress ability of hADMSCs induced by chemical or ethanol incubation in vitro. Downstream pathways involved in this process included the Gi protein (but not the G_12/13 proteins), the RAS/ERK pathway, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. Upon cell injury, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was promoted to facilitate the activation of downstream pro-inflammatory gene transcription, which was ameliorated by co-treatment with LPA and/or S1P. Increased secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 from stem cells by LPA and/or S1P seemed to be one of the major protective mechanisms since blocking IL-10 expression significantly aggravated stress-induced cell damage. In a drug-induced acute liver failure model and a chronic alcoholic liver disease model, pre-conditioning with LPA and/or S1P significantly enhanced the survival ratio and the therapeutic efficacy of hADMSCs in mice, including ameliorating histological damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, lipid metabolism dysfunction, and enhancing alcohol metabolizing enzyme activity. Importantly, supplementing LPA and/or S1P did not alter the basic characteristics of the hADMSCs nor induce tumour formation after cell transplantation.

Conclusions

Co-use of LPA and S1P represents a novel and safe strategy to enhance stem cell transplantation efficacy for future drug- and alcoholic-related liver disease therapies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0860-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Supplementation Improves Alcoholic Liver Injury in Female Mice by Inhibiting Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1

SCOPE

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is a water fraction of wolfberry, which has been demonstrated to possess a hepatoprotective effect in several liver disease models. However, the anti-alcoholic liver disease (anti-ALD) mechanism of LBP has not been investigated thoroughly. Its protective effects on both male and femal mice are investigated in the current study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A chronic ethanol-fed ALD in vivo model is applied to study the effect of LBP in both male and female mice. It is observed that ethanol causes more severe liver injury in female than male mice, and the ameliorative effects of LBP are also more significant in female mice, which are impaired after complete bilateral oophorectomy. The hepatic SCD1 expression is found to be positively correlated with the severity of the liver damage and the main mediator of LBP inducer of protection. The AMPK-CPT pathway is also activated by LBP to rebalance the dysregulated lipid metabolism during ALD development. By using concurrent sodium palmitate and an ethanol-induced in vitro cell damage model in AML-12 cell line, it is characterized that LBP directly interacts with ERα instead of ERβ to activate the SCD1-AMPK-CPT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LBP is an effective and safe hepatoprotective agent against ALD primarily through the SCD1-AMPK-CPT pathway after ERα agonist.

Demystifying traditional Chinese medicines: Lycium barbarum as a model therapeutic

The practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on holistic treatment of the body. This often includes preparation and application of medicinal herbs, either alone or in combination with other supplements. Lycium barbarum (LB), for example, is a commonly used herbal supplement in many Asian countries, being most well-known for improving kidney, liver, and eye health. It is also one of the most widely scientifically researched TCMs and a large body of literature is available describing its effects on various tissues and organ systems. In this perspective, we briefly expand upon how LB can be used as a model TCM in the systematic study of other herbal medicines, highlighting two of the primary barriers to their use in modern medicine worldwide.

Antioxidant Activity and Protective Effects of Enzyme-Extracted Oudemansiella radiata Polysaccharides on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury

This work was to examine the antioxidation in vitro and hepatoprotective effects of enzyme-extracted Oudemansiella radiata polysaccharides (En-OPS) on alcohol-induced liver damage in mice. The antioxidant activities were determined according to the scavenging effects of En-OPS on hydroxyl, superoxide, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, and the level of reducing power. En-OPS showed hepatoprotective activities on decreasing the serum levels of aspertate aminotransferase (AST), alamine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as hepatic lipid levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerols (TG). En-OPS treatment reversed the acute impairment induced by alcohol consumption, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, malondialdehyde (MAD), and lipid peroxide (LPO) elevation; and superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH peroxide (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) impairment. The En-OPS effectively ameliorated alcohol metabolism by activating alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and reducing cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) levels. Furthermore, the histopathological observations also displayed that En-OPS could alleviate liver damage. These results indicated that En-OPS could be suitable to be an ingredient of preventing alcoholic liver diseases (ALD). In addition, the preliminary structure characteristics of En-OPS were also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID).

Role of Inflammasomes in the Development of Gastrointestinal Diseases

Many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract have been attributed to chronic inflammation, and a few have identified the role of inflammasomes in their pathogenesis. Inflammasomes are a group of protein complexes comprising of several intracellular proteins that link the sensing of microbial products and metabolic stress to the proteolytic activation of the proinflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have implicated activation of several families of NOD-like receptors (NLRs) which are major components of inflammasomes in the development and exacerbation of many diseases of human systems. In this chapter, we discuss the role of inflammasomes in some of the most prevalent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and highlight potential targets for treatment.

Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Attenuated Ischemic Injury in MCAO Rats via Inhibition of NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome

Accumulated evidence displayed that transplantation of stem cells may be a promising approach for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be well elucidated. Moreover, some investigators cannot reproduce similar results as the previous. The present results showed that transplantation of fresh human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (cbMNCs) attenuated ischemic damage in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats, accompanied with improvement of neurologic deficits, learning and memory function. The increase in neovascularization and related molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and endothelium-specific receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (Tie-2) in the injured brain was observed in cbMNCs-treated rats. Moreover, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were also inhibited by the cells graft, resulting in reduction in cleaved caspase-1 and mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β) content. These results suggested that the protective actions of the cells on the cerebral ischemia may be related to inhibition of NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome.

Selected hepatoprotective herbal medicines: Evidence from ethnomedicinal applications, animal models, and possible mechanism of actions

Insight into the hepatoprotective effects of medicinally important plants is important, both for physicians and researchers. Main reasons for the use of herbal medicine include their lesser cost compared with conventional drugs, lesser undesirable drug reactions and thus high safety, and reduced side effects. The present review focuses on the composition, pharmacology, and results of experimental trials of selected medicinal plants: Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Glycyrrhiza glabra, Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge., Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Capparis spinosa (L.), Cichorium intybus (L.), Solanum nigrum (L.), Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn., Ginkgo biloba (L.), Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz, Vitex trifolia (L.), Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., Cuscuta chinensis (Lam.), Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, and Litsea coreana (H. Lev.). The probable modes of action of these plants include immunomodulation, stimulation of hepatic DNA synthesis, simulation of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase to inhibit oxidation in hepatocytes, reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species by enhancing levels of antioxidants, suppression of ethanol-induced lipid accumulation, inhibition of nucleic acid polymerases to downregulate viral mRNA transcription and translation, free radical scavenging and reduction of hepatic fibrosis by decreasing the levels of transforming growth factor beta-1, and collagen synthesis in hepatic cells. However, further research is needed to identify, characterize, and standardize the active ingredients, useful compounds, and their preparations for the treatment of liver diseases.

Induction of heme oxygenas-1 attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis in mice

Mastitis is one of most prevalent production disease in dairy herds worldwide, and is responsible for enormous economic losses. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective enzyme, which is involved in the response to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to detect the protective effect of HO-1 on LPS-induced mastitis in mice. BALB/c mice were pretreated with hemin (HO-1 inducer) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP; HO-1 inhibitor) at 2h before LPS stimulation. The results showed that the mammary gland damage, production of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, and MPO activity in mammary gland tissues were significantly reduced after pretreated with hemin compared with the group of LPS stimulation only. However, ZnPP reversed the effects of hemin. Furthermore, we found that the levels of ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome were increased after LPS stimulation. The increases were inhibited by hemin and the inhibition of hemin on ROS production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation were blocked by ZnPP. In addition, the results showed that hemin reduced the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) induced by LPS, and ZnPP attenuated these changes. In conclusion, the results suggested that overproduction of HO-1 may inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the expression of TXNIP. Induction of HO-1 may be served as a promising method against mastitis induced by LPS.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide protects against neurotoxicity via the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway

The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease has markedly increased over the past few decades. Oxidative stress is considered to be a common pathophysiological condition resulting in neurotoxicity. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is the major active component of Lycium barbarum L., which exhibit potent antioxidant activity. The current study investigated the neuroprotective effects of LBP in H₂O₂-treated PC12 cells in vitro and in CoCl₂-treated rats in vivo. It was determined that LBP concentration-dependently reversed the H₂O₂-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, decrease in cell viability, increase in TUNEL-stained cells, increase in caspase-3 and −9 activity and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating the amelioration of mitochondrial apoptosis. Furthermore, LBP inhibited the H₂O₂-induced decrease in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf)2 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression and binding of Nrf2 to the promoters of HO-1. Silencing of Nrf2 and inhibition of HO-1 by zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) reversed the protective effects of LBP against H₂O₂-resulted neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. In CoCl₂-treated rats, it was demonstrated that LBP decreased brain tissue apoptosis, reduced the time spent by rats finding the platform site, decreased escape latencies and reduced the distance traveled to find the platform. In addition, LBP inhibited the CoCl₂-induced decrease of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Administration of ZnPP also suppressed the protective effects of LBP against CoCl₂-resulted neurotoxicity in rats. Thus, the current study indicated that LBP exhibits protective effects against neurotoxicity by upregulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. These data may increase understanding regarding the neuroprotective activities of LBP.

Zeaxanthin dipalmitate alleviates hepatic injury induced by superimposed chronic hepatitis B and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in non-obese mice

A hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice model was used to establish the fatty liver superimposed model by feeding the methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks, with or without the gavage of 2 mg/kg zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD) three times per week. Both wild-type and HBV transgenic mice, with MCD diet, gained typical non-obese non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and HBV symptoms. Coadministration with ZD exhibited evident therapeutic effects through alleviating those pathological events. Moreover, long-term vehicle-ZD treatment was found to be safe. Thus, ZD is a promising and safe hepato-protective agent against hepatic injury induced by superimposed HBV and NASH in non-obese mice.

Neuroprotective Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide on Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury in Mice

Increasing evidence demonstrates inflammation contributes to neuronal death following cerebral ischemia. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been reported to prevent scopolamine-induced cognitive and memory deficits. We recently indicated that LBP exerts neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemic injury in mice via attenuating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of LBP against the behavioral dysfunction induced by focal cerebral ischemia injury in mice. Following 7 successive days of pretreatment with LBP (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and nimodipine (4 mg/kg) by intragastric gavage, mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Following reperfusion, cerebral blood flows, the total power of the spontaneous EEG, and morphological changes were estimated. Learning and memory ability, and motor coordination were determined by Morris water maze task, rotarod and grip test. Western blot analysis, Real-Time fluorogenic PCR assays, and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine the expression of proinflammatory mediators and activation of microglia. The present study showed that LBP pretreatment significantly enhanced regional cortical blood flow and the total power of the spontaneous EEG, improved memory and motor coordination impairments, and inhibited over-activation of microglia and astrocytes after MCAO. Further study demonstrated LBP suppressed MCAO-induced activations of P65 NF-κB and P38 MAPK, and prevented up-regulations of proinflammatory mediators in hippocampus. Our data suggest that LBP can exert functional recovery of memory and motor coordination deficits and neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemic injury in mice.

Thioredoxin-interacting protein links endoplasmic reticulum stress to inflammatory brain injury and apoptosis after subarachnoid haemorrhage

Background

Early brain injury (EBI) is considered a major contributor to the high morbidity and mortality associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Both of sterile inflammation and apoptosis are considered the important causes of EBI. Recently, it was confirmed that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) not only participates in inflammatory amplification but also stimulates the apoptosis signalling cascade pathway. However, whether the effects of TXNIP influence the pathogenesis of SAH remains unclear. Here, we hypothesize that TXNIP activity induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) may contribute to the pathogenesis of EBI through pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic mechanisms.

Methods

A total of 299 male Sprague–Dawley rats were used to create SAH models. Resveratrol (RES, 60 mg/kg) and two TXNIP small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used to inhibit TXNIP expression. The specific inhibitors of ER stress sensors were used to disrupt the link between TXNIP and ER stress. SAH grade, neurological deficits, brain water content and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability were evaluated simultaneously as prognostic indicators. Fluorescent double-labelling was employed to detect the location of TXNIP in cerebral cells. Western blot and TUNEL were performed to study the mechanisms of TXNIP and EBI.

Results

We found that TXNIP expression significantly increased after SAH, peaking at 48 h (0.48 ± 0.04, up to 3.2-fold) and decreasing at 72 h after surgery. This process was accompanied by the generation of inflammation-associated factors. TXNIP was expressed in the cytoplasm of neurons and was widely co-localized with TUNEL-positive cells in both the hippocampus and the cortex of SAH rats. We discovered for the first time that TXNIP was co-localized in neural immunocytes (microglia and astrocytes). After administration of RES, TXNIP siRNA and ER stress inhibitors, TXNIP expression was significantly reduced and the crosstalk between TXNIP and ER stress was disrupted; this was accompanied by a reduction in inflammatory and apoptotic factors, as well as attenuation of the prognostic indices.

Conclusions

These results may represent the critical evidence to support the pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects of TXNIP after SAH. Our data suggest that TXNIP participates in EBI after SAH by mediating inflammation and apoptosis; these pathways may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for SAH treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-017-0878-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.