Mechanism for hepato-protective action of Liangxue Huayu Recipe (LHR): blockade of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase activation

A systematic review of genes affecting mitochondrial processes in cancer

Malignant conversion of cancer cells requires efficient mitochondria reprogramming orchestrated by hundreds of genes. The transformation includes increased energy demand, biosynthesis of precursors, and reactive oxygen species needed to accelerate cell growth, proliferation, and survival. Reprogramming involves complex gene alterations that have not been methodically curated. Therefore, we systematically analyzed the literature of cancer-related genes in mitochondria. Through the analysis of >2500 PubMed abstracts and >1600 human genes, we identified 228 genes showing clear roles in cancer. Each gene was classified according to their homeostatic function, together with the pathological transitions that contribute to specific cancer hallmarks. The potential clinical relevance of these hallmarks and genes is discussed by representative examples and validated by detecting differences in gene expression levels across 16 different types of cancer. A compendium, including the gene functions and alterations underpinning cancer progression, can be explored at http://bioinformatica.mty.itesm.mx/MitoCancer.

Elimination of Intracellular Calcium Overload by BAPTA-AM-Loaded Liposomes: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for Acute Liver Failure

In the past few decades, intracellular calcium overload has been shown to induce cell death through multiple signaling pathways. In this study, we used BAPTA-AM, a well-known membrane-permeable Ca²⁺ chelator, to prevent cell injury by allaying the intracellular calcium overload. We explored the clinical potentials of BAPTA-AM-loaded liposome (BAL) in the treatment of the acute liver failure (ALF) mouse model, which is characterized by severe hepatic necrosis and apoptosis. We discovered that BAL can significantly inhibit D-GalN-induced LO2 cell damage as it increased cell viability by 60% and downregulated the LPS-stimulated inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages by reversing the morphological change and modulating TNF-α and NF-κB expressions. Through systemic administration, BAL can rapidly accumulate in damaged liver tissue and exhibit excellent treatment effects on the D-GalN/LPS-induced ALF mouse model, including elevation of the survival rate (from 10 to 80%), recovery of normal liver indexes and liver health indicators, improvement of liver blood microcirculation (increased the blood flow volume by 80% and flow rate by 60%), and blood coagulation. The underlying hepatoprotective effect of BAL is presumably based on the antinecrosis and antiapoptosis abilities attributed to its inhibition on oxidative stress, restriction on TNF-α receptor, and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway by effectively clearing the overloaded intercellular calcium. BAL holds great potential as a new therapeutic strategy for ALF treatment, and its prominent cell rescue ability provides ample opportunities for the treatment of many other diseases that are characterized by rapid and massive cell damage.

X-chromosome-linked miR548am-5p is a key regulator of sex disparity in the susceptibility to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis

Sex dimorphism in cell response to stress has previously been investigated by different research groups. This dimorphism could be at least in part accounted for by sex-biased expression of regulatory elements such as microRNAs (miRs). In order to spot previously unknown miR expression differences we took advantage of prior knowledge on specialized databases to identify X chromosome-encoded miRs potentially escaping X chromosome inactivation (XCI). MiR-548am-5p emerged as potentially XCI escaper and was experimentally verified to be significantly up-regulated in human XX primary dermal fibroblasts (DFs) compared to XY ones. Accordingly, miR-548am-5p target mRNAs, e.g. the transcript for Bax, was differently modulated in XX and XY DFs. Functional analyses indicated that XY DFs were more prone to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis than XX ones. Experimentally induced overexpression of miR548am-5p in XY cells by lentivirus vector transduction decreased apoptosis susceptibility, whereas its down-regulation in XX cells enhanced apoptosis susceptibility. These data indicate that this approach could be used to identify previously unreported sex-biased differences in miR expression and that a miR identified with this approach, miR548am-5p, can account for sex-dependent differences observed in the susceptibility to mitochondrial apoptosis of human DFs.

2-Hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone inhibits lung carcinoma cells through modulation of IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 pathway

BACKGROUND

2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (HMA), an anthraquinone monomer in traditional Chinese medicine Hedyotis diffusa, has been reported to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer, but its effect on lung cancer has not been adequately investigated.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that HMA inhibit the growth, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells in part via downregulation of interleukin (IL)-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

METHODS

Growth and apoptosis of lung cancer cells were quantitated by CCK-8 assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Migration and invasion of A549 cells were determined by wound-healing assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The effect of HMA on cytokines expression in A549 cells was evaluated by the cytokine antibody array assay. Gene expression and protein levels of related molecular markers were quantitated by real time-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

HMA significantly inhibited IL-6-stimulated growth and colony formation of A549 cells, increased the number of apoptotic cells, and inhibited invasion associated with downregulation of expression of IL-6-induced MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 genes. IL-6 increased the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in A549 cells, which was reversed by HMA treatment. In addition, HMA reduced the expression of a series of inflammation-related cytokines in A549 cells supernatant, including IL-6, G-CSF, IL-6R, IL-8, MCP-1, RANTES, TNF-α.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that HMA may inhibit the growth and invasion of lung cancer cells in part via downregulation of IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Berberine protects acute liver failure in mice through inhibiting inflammation and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis

Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by sudden large area of inflammation and extensive hepatocyte apoptosis. This study identified the natural product berberine as a potential agent for acute liver failure(ALF). First, in vitro, BBR pre-incubation (5, 10 and 20μM) alleviated L02 hepatocytes injury induced by D-GalN (5mM)/TNF-α (100ng/ml). Second, in vivo, BBR pre-treatment attenuated D-Galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver failure, as evidenced by the reduction of mortality, the alleviation of liver pathological changes and the inhibition of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Our results further illustrated that BBR inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and subsequently suppressed the expressions of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at both mRNA and protein levels in ALF. Moreover, western blotting demonstrated that BBR effectively inhibited apoptosis via reducing cytochrome c release, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3/-9 cleavage in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our findings suggest that BBR serves as a potential agent for preventing or treating human ALF by inhibiting inflammation and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.

Lipoic acid attenuates Aroclor 1260-induced hepatotoxicity in adult rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the mechanistic aspect of Aroclor 1260-induced hepatotoxicity and its protection by lipoic acid. The adult male Albino rats were divided into six groups. Group I served as control. Group II received lipoic acid (35 mg/kg/day). Aroclor 1260 was given to rats by oral gavage at doses 20, 40, or 60 mg/kg/day (Groups III, IV, and V, respectively). Group VI was pretreated with lipoic acid (35 mg/kg/day) 24 h before Aroclor 1260 (40 mg/kg/day). Treatment in all groups was continued for further 15 consecutive days. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities and total bilirubin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly increased while total protein, total albumin, and high-density lipoprotein were significantly decreased. Hydrogen peroxide production and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased while superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was significantly decreased in liver. Caspase-3 & -9 activities were significantly increased in liver. Lipoic acid pretreatment significantly reverted all these abnormalities toward their normal levels. In conclusion, Aroclor 1260 induced liver dysfunction, at least in part, by induction of oxidative stress. Apoptotic effect of hepatic cells is involved in Aroclor 1260-induced liver injury. Lipoic acid could protect rats against Aroclor 1260-induced hepatotoxicity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 913-922, 2016.

Improved prescription of taohechengqi-tang alleviates D-galactosamine acute liver failure in rats

AIM: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of improved prescription of Taohechengqi-tang (IPTT) against acute liver failure (ALF) in rats.

METHODS: Seventy specific pathogen free male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (normal rats, n = 10), ALF group (ALF model, n = 20), Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC) group (ALF model + SNMC, n = 20), and IPTT group (ALF model + IPTT, n = 20). The ALF model group was administered an intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (1.4 g/kg), and the control group received normal saline intraperitoneally. The SNMC and IPTT groups were treated with SMMC (15.6 mg/kg) or IPTT (28.6 g/kg) by gavage at 24 h intervals, and the ALF and control groups were treated with normal saline. At 36 h after injection, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, albumin, and cholinesterase and prothrombin time were determined, and liver histopathological scores were observed by microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin staining. mRNA expression of high mobility group box (HMGB) 1, toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and caspase-3 were analyzed via fluorescence quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry in liver tissue was also performed.

RESULTS: D-galactosamine notably decreased the biochemical and coagulation profiles in serum. IPTT not only improved liver function and histopathology but also normalized the gene expression levels in liver tissue. Compared with the model group, in the IPTT and SNMC groups, HMGB1 mRNA/β-actin (0.06 ± 0.03, 0.11 ± 0.04 vs 0.25 ± 0.04, P < 0.05); TLR4 mRNA/β-actin (0.07 ± 0.02, 0.22 ± 0.08 vs 0.41 ± 0.22, P < 0.05); NF-κB mRNA/β-actin (0.74 ± 0.41, 1.78 ± 0.64 vs 2.68 ± 1.35, P < 0.05); and caspase-3 mRNA/β-actin levels were all significantly reduced (1.61 ± 0.45, 2.57 ± 1.04 vs 3.41 ± 0.85, P < 0.05). The gene expression levels were significantly lower in the IPTT group than in the SNMC group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the PCNA expression in liver tissue was significantly enhanced in the IPTT and SNMC groups (36.34 ± 4.91, 25.57 ± 2.94 vs 17.55 ± 2.40, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: IPTT attenuates inflammation in ALF via inhibition of HMGB1 production, which may contribute to limited liver regeneration.

Rhein Elicits In Vitro Cytotoxicity in Primary Human Liver HL-7702 Cells by Inducing Apoptosis through Mitochondria-Mediated Pathway

Objective. To study rhein-induced apoptosis signaling pathway and to investigate its molecular mechanisms in primary human hepatic cells. Results. Cell viability of HL-7702 cells treated with rhein showed significant decrease in dose-dependent manner. Following rhein treatment (25 μM, 50 μM, and 100 μM) for 12 h, the detection of apoptotic cells was significantly analyzed by flow cytometry and nuclear morphological changes by Hoechst 33258, respectively. Fatty degeneration studies showed upregulation level of the relevant hepatic markers (P < 0.01). Caspase activities expressed significant upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and caspase-8. Moreover, apoptotic cells by rhein were significantly inhibited by Z-LEHD-FMK and Z-DEVD-FMK, caspase-9 inhibitor, and caspase-3 inhibitor, respectively. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by fluorometry. Additionally, NAC, a ROS scavenger, significantly attenuated rhein-induced oxidative damage in HL-7702 cells. Furthermore, real-time qPCR results showed significant upregulation of p53, PUMA, Apaf-1, and Casp-9 and Casp-3 mRNA, with no significant changes of Fas and Cytochrome-c. Immunoblotting revealed significant Cytochrome-c release from mitochondria into cytosol and no change in Fas expression. Conclusion. Taken together, these observations suggested that rhein could induce apoptosis in HL-7702 cells via mitochondria-mediated signal pathway with involvement of oxidative stress mechanism.

Xijiao Dihuang Decoction () and Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. protect mice against lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced acute liver failure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Xijiao Dihuang Decoction (, XJDHD) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) as well as the underlying mechanism of action, and to clarify the key herbs and components of XJDHD.

METHODS

LPS/D-galactosamine (D-GalN) or TNF-α/D-GalN were intraperitoneally injected into C57BL/6J mice to induce ALF. Simultaneously, XJDHD or its individual herbs and components were orally administered. Survival rates, transaminase levels in serum, and hepatic histology were examined to evaluate the effects of XJDHD. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction were additionally performed to expound the mechanism underlying the anti-apoptotic activity of XJDHD.

RESULTS

Oral administration of XJDHD protected mice from lethal liver failure induced by LPS and TNF-α, with notable amelioration of liver injury in histology and a significant decrease in transaminase levels in serum. XJDHD significantly inhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes and enhanced expression of the antiapoptosis genes, c-Flip, Iap1, Gadd45b and A20. In addition, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. was identified as the key herb of XJDHD and galactose as the effective component of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. that protects against ALF.

CONCLUSIONS

XJDHD inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes by promoting the expression of nuclear factor κ B-regulated anti-apoptotic genes. Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. is the effective herb of XJDHD and galactose is an active component in this protection.

Processing of kansui roots stir-baked with vinegar reduces kansui-induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity by decreasing the contents of toxic terpenoids and regulating the cell apoptosis pathway

Euphorbia kansui is a Traditional Chinese Medicine widely used for the treatment of oedema, ascites and asthma. However, its serious hepatotoxicity hinders its safe clinical application. The process of stir-baking with vinegar is regularly used to reduce the toxicity of kansui. Up till now, the exact mechanism of the reduction in hepatotoxicity of kansui stir-baked with vinegar has been poorly defined. In this study, decreased  contents of five diterpene and one triterpene in kansui (GS-1) after stir-baking with vinegar (GS-2) was investigated by UPLC-QTOF/MS. Flow cytometry and Hoechst staining were used to show that the stir-baking with vinegar process reduces kansui-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the result also indicated that kansui stir-baked with vinegar protects LO2 cells from apoptosis by increasing the cell mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), decreasing the release of cytochrome c and inhibiting the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 as evidenced by means of high content screening (HCS), ELISA and western blotting. These results suggested that the stir-baking vinegar could reduce the hepatotoxicity of kansui by effectively decreasing the contents of toxic terpenoids and inhibiting the intrinsic pathway of hepatocyte cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the study provided significant data for promoting safer and better clinical use of this herb.