Tetrandrine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatic failure in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2010;10:357-363. [PMID: 20036342 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2009.12.010]

Tetrandrine Attenuates Cartilage Degeneration, Osteoclast Proliferation, and Macrophage Transformation through Inhibiting P65 Phosphorylation in Ovariectomy-induced Osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease with high prevalence. Tetrandrine (TET) suppressed osteoclastogenesis, while the roles of TET in osteoporosis regulation remained unclear. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the effect of TET on osteoporosis and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The osteoporosis rabbit model was established through anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). The degeneration of articular cartilage was assessed using HE staining and Alcian blue staining. The liver and kidney tissue injury was determined using HE staining. The activity of osteoclasts was evaluated using Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The changes in bone structural parameters were determined through measuring the BMD, BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp, and the serum levels of calcium and phosphorus. Macrophage polarization was determined using Flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The bone structural parameters including BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th and Tb.Sp were changed in osteoporosis rabbit, which was reversed by TET. Besides, TET suppressed the increased serum levels of calcium and phosphorus in osteoporosis rabbit. Furthermore, TET inhibited the degeneration of articular cartilage and the activity of osteoclasts induced by osteoporosis. Moreover, TET inhibited the levels of MMP-9, PPAR-γ, RANKL, β-CTX and TRACP-5b, and increased the levels of OPG, ALP and osteocalcin (OC) in osteoporosis. Additionally, TET promoted macrophage transformation from M1 to M2 in osteoporotic and inhibited the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. TET also inhibited the p65 phosphorylation in osteoporosis. Besides, TET reversed RANKL-induced osteoclasts proliferation, p65 phosphorylation, and the expression changes of RANKL, Ki67, PPAR-γ, ALP, OPG.

CONCLUSION

TET attenuated bone structural parameters including BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th and Tb.Sp, inhibited articular cartilage degeneration, promoted bone formation, inhibited the inflammatory response, and promoted macrophage transformation from M1 to M2 via NF-κB inactivation in osteoporosis. TET may be a promising drug for osteoporosis therapy.

ABBREVIATION

TET: Tetrandrine; ACLT: anterior cruciate ligament transection; OVX: ovariectomy; TRAP: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase; BMD: bone mineral density; BV/TV: Bone volume/total volume; Tb.Th: trabecular thickness; Tb.N: trabecular number; Tb.Sp: trabecular separation; MMP-9: Matrix metallopeptidase 9; PPAR-γ: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; RANKL: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand; OPG: Osteoprotegerin; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; OC: osteocalcin; β-CTX: β isomer of C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen; TRACP-5b: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α; IL-1β: interleukin-1β; IL-6: interleukin 6; NF-κB: Nuclear factor kappa B; PKC-α: Protein kinase C alpha; qRT-PCR: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Protostemonine effectively attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

Protostemonine (PSN) is the main anti-inflammatory alkaloid extracted from the roots of Stemona sessilifolia (known as "Baibu" in traditional Chinese medicine). Here, we reported the inhibitory effects of PSN on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage activation in vitro and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice. Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were treated with PSN (1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 μmol/L) for 0.5 h and then challenged with LPS (0.1 μg/mL) for 24 h. Pretreatment with PSN significantly inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and AKT, iNOS expression and NO production in the macrophages. C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally injected with LPS (5 mg/kg) to induce acute lung injury (ALI). The mice were subsequently treated with PSN (10 mg/kg, ip) at 4 and 24 h after LPS challenge. PSN administration significantly attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) production and eliminated LPS-mediated lung edema. Furthermore, PSN administration significantly inhibited LPS-induced pulmonary MPO activity. Meanwhile, LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, iNOS expression and NO production in the lungs were also suppressed. The results demonstrate that PSN effectively attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo; the beneficial effects are associated with the decreased phosphorylation of MAPK and AKT and the reduced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS, NO and cytokines. These data suggest that PSN may be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of ALI.

Catalpol protects mice against Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury through inhibiting inflammatory and oxidative response

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of catalpol on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-gal)-induced acute liver injury in mice. The mouse model was established by injection of LPS and D-gal. Catalpol (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) were pretreated intraperitoneally 1 h before LPS and D-gal. The survival rate, AST, ALT, MDA, MPO activity, hepatic tissue histology, TNF-α level, and NF-κB activation were assayed. The results revealed that catalpol dose-dependently elevated the survival rate. Furthermore, catalpol reduced the activities of AST, ALT, MDA, and MPO. The production of TNF-α was also inhibited by treatment of catalpol. In addition, catalpol inhibited LPS/D-gal-induced NF-κB activation. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were up-regulated by treatment of catalpol. These results indicated that pretreatment with catalpol could attenuate LPS/D-gal-induced acute liver injury in mice and the underlying mechanism may due to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway and the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Indoline derivatives mitigate liver damage in a mouse model of acute liver injury

BACKGROUND

Exposure of mice to D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces acute liver failure through elevation of TNF-α, which causes liver damage resembling that in humans. The current study evaluated in this model the effect of two indoline derivatives, which have anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages.

METHODS

AN1297 and AN1284 (0.025-0.75mg/kg) or dexamethasone (3mg/kg), were injected subcutaneously, 15min before intraperitoneal injection of GalN (800mg) plus LPS (50μg) in male Balb/C mice. After 6h, their livers were evaluated histologically by staining with hematoxylin and eosin for tissue damage and by cleaved caspase 3 for apoptosis. Activity of liver enzymes, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in plasma, and those of TNF-α and IL-6, in the liver.

RESULTS

AN1297 (0.075-0.75mg/kg) and AN1284 (0.25-0.75mg/kg) maximally reduced ALT by 51% and 80%, respectively. Only AN1284 (0.25 and 0.75mg/kg) reduced AST by 41% and 48%. AN1297 and AN1284 (0.25mg/kg) decreased activation of caspase 3 (a sign of apoptosis) by 80% and plasma TNF-α by 75%. AN1297 and AN1284 (0.075mg/kg) prevented the rise in TNF-α and IL-6 in the liver. AN1284 (0.25mg/kg) reduced mortality from 90% to 20% (p<0.01) and AN1297, to 60% (p=0.121). Both indoline derivatives inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPK p38 and DNA binding of the transcription factor, AP-1.

CONCLUSION

While both compounds are highly potent anti-inflammatory agents, AN1284 is more effective in mitigating the underlying causes of GalN/LPS-induced acute liver failure in mice.

The protective effect of bee venom on fibrosis causing inflammatory diseases

Bee venom therapy is a treatment modality that may be thousands of years old and involves the application of live bee stings to the patient’s skin or, in more recent years, the injection of bee venom into the skin with a hypodermic needle. Studies have proven the effectiveness of bee venom in treating pathological conditions such as arthritis, pain and cancerous tumors. However, there has not been sufficient review to fully elucidate the cellular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom and its components. In this respect, the present study reviews current understanding of the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory properties of bee venom and its components in the treatment of liver fibrosis, atherosclerosis and skin disease.

Effects of urotensin-II on cytokines in early acute liver failure in mice

AIM: To investigate urotensin-II (UII) and its effects on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in early acute liver failure (ALF).

METHODS: We investigated the time-dependent alteration in UII levels and its effects on TNF-α and IL-1β in liver and blood in the early stage of lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced ALF.

RESULTS: After lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine challenge, UII rose very rapidly and reached a maximal level 0.5 h, and the level remained significantly elevated after 2 h (P < 0.05). Six hours after challenge, UII began to degrade, but remained higher than at 0 h (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with urantide, an inhibitor of the UII receptor, suppressed the degree of UII increase in liver and blood at 6 h after challenge (P < 0.05 vs paired controls). In addition, liver and blood TNF-α increased from 1 to 6 h, and reached a peak at 1 and 2 h, respectively; however, IL-1β did not rise until 6 h after challenge. Urantide pretreatment inhibited the degree of TNF-α and IL-1β increase following downregulation of UII post-challenge (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: UII plays a role in the pathogenesis and priming of ALF by triggering an inflammatory cascade and driving the early release of cytokines in mice.

Sulforaphane increases the survival rate in rats with fulminant hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome, with liver transplantation being the only effective therapy. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural compound that is extracted from cruciferous vegetables and possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that SFN (3 mg/kg) may protect against FHF induced in rats by administering a combination of D-galactosamine (GalN; 300 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 30 μg/kg). The rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of SFN, 1 hour before the FHF induction. Sulforaphane reduced the mortality and alleviated the pathological liver injury. In addition, SFN significantly reduced the increase in serum aminotransferase activities and lipid peroxidation. The glutathione content decreased in the GalN/LPS group, and this decrease was attenuated by SFN. Increases in serum tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, which were observed in GalN/LPS-treated rats, were significantly reduced after using SFN. The GalN/LPS treatment increased the expression of superoxide dismutase-1, glutathione peroxidase 2, catalase, and heme oxygenase-1 genes. Sulforaphane inhibited the induction of reactive oxygen species scavenging proteins. Moreover, SFN inhibited GalN/LPS-induced caspase-3 activation and suppressed FAS and FASL expression. These findings suggest that SFN alleviates GalN/LPS-induced liver injury, possibly by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects and modulating certain antioxidant defense enzymes.

Antinociceptive effect of tetrandrine on LPS-induced hyperalgesia via the inhibition of IKKβ phosphorylation and the COX-2/PGE₂ pathway in mice

Tetrandrine (TET) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid that is isolated from the Stephania Tetrandra. It is known to possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. We have shown that TET can effectively suppress the production of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenases (COXs), in macrophages. However, whether TET has an antinociceptive effect on LPS-induced hyperalgesia is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the potential antinociceptive effects of TET and the mechanisms by which it elicits its effects on LPS-induced hyperalgesia. LPS effectively evoked hyperalgesia and induced the production of PGE2 in the sera, brain tissues, and cultured astroglia. TET pretreatment attenuated all of these effects. LPS also activated inhibitor of κB (IκB) kinase β (IKKβ) and its downstream components in the IκB/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway, including COX-2; the increase in expression levels of these components was significantly abolished by TET. Furthermore, in primary astroglia, knockdown of IKKβ, but not IKKα, reversed the effects of TET on the LPS-induced increase in IκB phosphorylation, P65 phosphorylation, and COX-2. Our results suggest that TET can effectively exert antinociceptive effects on LPS-induced hyperalgesia in mice by inhibiting IKKβ phosphorylation, which leads to the reduction in the production of important pain mediators, such as PGE2 and COX-2, via the IKKβ/IκB/NF-κB pathway.

Protective effect of danhong injection on acute hepatic failure induced by lipopolysaccharide and d-galactosamine in mice

Acute hepatic failure (AHF), which leads to an extremely high mortality rate, has become the focus of attention in clinic. In this study, Danhong injection (DHI) was investigated to evaluate the preventive and protective effect on AHF induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (GalN) in mice. For AHF induction, ICR mice were intraperitoneally injected with D-GalN (700 mg/kg) and LPS (20  μ g/kg). DHI was administrated twice, at 12 and 1 h, respectively, before D-GalN/LPS injection. After stimulation with D-GalN/LPS for 1 and 6 h, serum and livers were collected for analysis. We found that mice administrated with DHI displayed a higher survival rate, lower serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α . DHI inhibited the elevations of hepatic lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), caspase-8 activity, and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 β and interleukin-6) increased by D-GalN/LPS in the liver. Furthermore, liver histopathological analysis indicated that the DHI group showed markedly fewer apoptotic (TUNEL positive) cells and less pathological changes than those in the AHF model group. These results provide a novel insight into the pharmacological actions of DHI as a potential candidate for treating AHF.

Intraperitoneal administration of fetuin-A attenuates D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver failure in mouse

BACKGROUND

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a devastating syndrome, which sometimes results in death or liver transplantation, in which inflammation would aggravate the development of fetuin-A which would act as an anti-inflammatory factor and may be an available approach to attenuate FHF.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fetuin-A on D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS)-induced liver failure in mice.

METHODS

A mouse model of FHF induced by D-GalN/LPS was established and fetuin-A was injected intraperitoneally prior to D-GalN/LPS treatment. At different time points after D-GalN/LPS intervention, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA. Fetuin-A mRNA and protein expression in liver tissues was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Besides, an observation of liver tissue injury, the apoptosis of hepatocytes, was analyzed by TUNEL assay.

RESULTS

Expression of fetuin-A mRNA and protein in liver tissue were significantly and gradually decreased after D-GalN/LPS administration. A pre-intervention of exogenous fetuin-A significantly improved the liver function, decreased TNF-α and IL-6 expression in peripheral blood, and liver tissue inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis responded to D-GalN/LPS induction so as to decrease the mortality rates of FHF mouse. Meanwhile, fetuin-A was negatively correlated with the hepatic pathological score and TNF-α protein staining in FHF mouse.

CONCLUSIONS

An intraperitoneal injection of fetuin-A attenuates D-GalN/LPS-induced FHF in mice. Fetuin-A might be a protective agent of liver damage partly through inhibiting liver inflammatory response and hepatocyte apoptosis.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction between tetrandrine and two serum albumins by chemometrics methods

The binding interactions of tetrandrine (TETD) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) have been investigated by spectroscopic methods. These experimental data were further analyzed using multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) method, and the concentration profiles and pure spectra for three species (BSA/HSA, TETD and TETD-BSA/HSA) existed in the interaction procedure, as well as, the apparent equilibrium constants Kapp were evaluated. The binding sites number n and the binding constants K were obtained at various temperatures. The binding distance between TETD and BSA/HSA was 1.455/1.451nm. The site markers competitive experiments indicated that TETD primarily bound to the tryptophan residue of BSA/HSA within site I. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) calculated on the basis of different temperatures revealed that the binding of TETD-BSA was mainly depended on the hydrophobic interaction strongly and electrostatic interaction, and yet the binding of TETD-HSA was strongly relied on the hydrophobic interaction. The results of synchronous fluorescence, 3D fluorescence and FT-IR spectra show that the conformation of proteins has altered in the presence of TETD. In addition, the effect of some common ions on the binding constants between TETD and proteins were also discussed.

Inhibiting the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha attenuates lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice

BACKGROUND

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4alpha) plays an important role in regulating cytokine-induced inflammatory responses. This study aimed to investigate the role of HNF4alpha in the development of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN).

METHODS

The FHF model was induced by simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of LPS/D-GalN in mice. Three days prior to LPS/D-GalN administration, HNF4alpha short-hairpin interfering RNA expression plasmid or physiological saline was injected via the tail vein with a hydrodynamics-based procedure. The degree of hepatic damage and cumulative survival rate were subsequently assessed.

RESULTS

The expression of HNF4alpha was increased in the early stage after LPS/D-GalN administration. Inhibiting the expression of HNF4alpha reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, alleviated histological injury, and improved the survival of mice with FHF. In addition, both serum and hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha expression were suppressed when HNF4alpha expression was inhibited in mice with FHF.

CONCLUSION

Inhibiting HNF4alpha expression protects mice from FHF induced by LPS/D-GalN, but the exact mechanism behind this needs further investigation.

Polydatin Protects against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure in D-Galactosamine-Sensitized Mice

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a devastating clinical syndrome with extremely poor prognosis and high mortality. Therefore, better treatment is urgently needed. Polydatin (PD), a traditional anti-inflammatory drug, has been described to protect against liver injury induced by certain hepatotoxins. The present study investigated the protective effect of PD against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced FHF in mice and the underlying mechanism. Mice were pretreated with an increasing dose of PD (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), following LPS/D-GalN challenge. The liver injury was assessed biochemically and histologically. We found that PD exerted a protective effect on LPS/D-GalN-induced FHF as evidenced by reducing sera alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, diminishing liver histopathological injury, and lowering mortality in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment mice with PD dose-dependently suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (ECAM-1) expression, caspase-3 activation, and transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-kB) activity induced by LPS. These results suggested that PD could effectively protect from LPS/D-GalN-induced FHF and the protective effect afforded by PD probably contributed to reduce TNF-α production via inhibiting NF-kB activation.

Tetrandrine enhances cytotoxicity of cisplatin in human drug-resistant esophageal squamous carcinoma cells by inhibition of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1

Multidrug resistance is one of the major causes limiting the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents to control esophageal cancer. Herein, we investigated that the effect and mechanism of tetrandrine (TET) in the human esophageal squamous carcinoma cisplatin-resistant cell line YES-2/DDP. The human esophageal squamous carcinoma cisplatin-resistant cell line YES-2/DDP was isolated by stepwise selection in increasing concentrations of cisplatin. The CCK-8 method was carried out to measure the cell viability when cells were exposed to TET with or without cisplatin, and the IC50 and resistance index (RI) of cisplatin was then calculated. Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), respectively. Flow cytometry was adopted to determine CMFDA efflux and cell apoptosis, respectively. The resulting cell line YES-2/DDP was 16.4-fold resistant to cisplatin, the cytotoxicity of cisplatin to YES-2/DDP cells was enhanced by TET in a dose-dependent manner. Further, it was found that the expression of MDR1 and BCRP was similar in different treated cells. In contrast, the expression of MRP1 was markedly increased in YES-2/DDP cells, which was dose-dependently decreased by TET. In agreement with the results, MRP1 activity was also reversed by TET. In conclusion, TET possesses a reversal effect on drug resistance in YES-2/DDP cells through downregulation of MRP1, and has the potential to be an adjunct to chemotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Expression and role of Urotensin Ⅱ in lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure in mice

AIM: To investigate the expression and role of Urotensin Ⅱ (UⅡ) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) in mice.

METHODS: Male Balb/c mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups: normal control group (group A), pre-treatment control group (group B), ALF model group (group C), and pre-treatment model group (group D). ALF were induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (50 μg/kg body weight)/D-GalN (800 mg/kg body weight). The pre-treatment mice were intravenously injected with Urantide (0.6 mg/kg body weight) 30 min before model induction. Serum and liver tissues were sampled 12 h after LPS/D-GalN injection. Mortality was calculated 24 h after attack. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected using the Reitman-Frankel method. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Serum UⅡ levels were assessed by ELISA, and the expression of UⅡ and UT was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: A mortality of 66.7% was observed in group C, while all mice of groups A, B and D survived. Serum ALT and AST levels had a dramatic increase in groups C and D, but were significantly lower in group D than in group C (2 271.09 U/L ± 102.24 U/L vs 1 160.67 U/L ± 258.32 U/L, 1 569.42 U/L ± 204.04 U/L vs 1 030.31 U/L ± 108.09 U/L, both P < 0.01). Widespread destruction of liver architecture, hemorrhagic necrosis, and neutrophil infiltration were noted in group C, whereas liver architecture was completely preserved, and focal necrosis and fewer neutrophil infiltrates were observed in group D. After LPS/D-GalN challenge, serum UⅡ levels increased sharply in groups C and D, but were lower in group D than in group C (3.73 μg/L ± 0.52 μg/L vs 1.90 μg/L ± 0.27 μg/L, both P < 0.01). Overexpression of liver UⅡ and UT mRNAs and proteins was induced by the injection of LPS/D-GalN in groups C and D. Compared to group C, group D had lower levels of UⅡ and UT in the liver.

CONCLUSION: UⅡ expression and secretion can be induced by LPS/D-GalN challenge in the liver tissue of ALF mice via a positive feedback mechanism associated with promoting the expression of its receptor UT. UⅡ/UT receptor may be a vital mediator of LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF.

Protective effect of melittin on inflammation and apoptosis in acute liver failure

Acute hepatic failure remains an extremely poor prognosis and still results in high mortality. Therefore, better treatment is urgently needed. Melittin, a major component of bee venom, is known to inhibit inflammatory reactions induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in various cell types. However, there is no evidence of the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect of melittin on liver cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of melittin on D: -galactosamine (GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute hepatic failure. Acute liver injury was induced with GalN/LPS to determine in vivo efficacy of melittin. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: sterile saline treated group (NC), melittin only treated group (NM), GalN/LPS-treated group (GalN/LPS), and GalN/LPS treated with melittin group (M+GalN/LPS). Mice were given intraperitoneal GalN/LPS with or without melittin treatment. Liver injury was assessed biochemically and histologically. Inflammatory cytokines in the serum, apoptosis of hepatocytes, and cleavage of caspase-3 in the liver were determined. The expression of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were increased in the GalN/LPS group. However, treatment of melittin attenuated the increase of inflammatory cytokines. The M+GalN/LPS group showed significantly fewer apoptotic cells compared to the GalN/LPS group. Melittin significantly inhibited the expression of caspase and bax protein levels as well as cytochrome c release in vivo. In addition, melittin prevented the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) induced by GalN/LPS. These results clearly indicate that melittin provided protection against GalN/LPS-induced acute hepatic failure through the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis.

Protective effect of chloral hydrate against lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute lethal liver injury and zymosan-induced peritonitis in mice

In recent years, certain anesthetics have been shown to have protective effects against acute inflammation in experimental animals, an observation that may yield new options for adjunctive treatment of acute inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of chloral hydrate (CH) on the acute inflammatory response in BALB/c mice using lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced acute lethal liver injury and zymosan A-induced peritonitis models. The survival of mice following LPS/D-GalN treatment was significantly improved by a single injection with chloral hydrate, which could be administered simultaneously or as late as 3h after challenge with LPS/D-GalN; liver injury was also attenuated. A sharp rise in serum levels of MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha was attenuated or delayed after chloral hydrate treatment. Furthermore, the mechanism by which chlorate hydrate inhibits inflammation was associated with an attenuated increase in nuclear factor kappaappaB (NF-kappaB) activity in NF-kappaB-RE-luc mice upon LPS/D-GalN treatment. In mice with acute peritonitis, leukocyte number and protein concentration in peritoneal exudates peaked with a 16h lag, and serum levels of MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly lower at certain time points in the chloral hydrate-treated group compared to those in the normal saline (NS)-treated control group. In addition, chloral hydrate treatment in vitro attenuated the upregulation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages and NF-kappaB activity in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, suggesting that monocytes/macrophages may be a target of chloral hydrate. These results indicate that chloral hydrate has a protective effect against LPS/D-GalN-induced acute lethal liver injury in mice, which may be associated with an inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and delays in proinflammatory cytokine production. However, this phenomenon was not associated with levels of serum corticosterone. Chloral hydrate also attenuated the inflammatory response in zymosan A-induced acute peritonitis, a model of mild inflammation. In conclusion, treatment with only a single injection of chloral hydrate could significantly attenuate acute inflammation in mice treated with LPS/D-GalN and zymosan A. These effects are also likely associated with the inhibition of NF-kappaB activity.