Xiaoyan lidan formula ameliorates α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced intrahepatic cholestatic liver injury in rats as revealed by non-targeted and targeted metabolomics

Trichodelphinine A alleviates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting collagen synthesis via NOX4-ARG1/TGF-β signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and fatal lung disease with no effective treatment medication, is characterized by lung remodeling and fibroblastic foci caused by an oxidative imbalance with an overloading deposition of collagen. Trichodelphinine A, a hetisine-type C20-diterpenoid alkaloid, was found anti-fibrotic activity in vitro, but its effect and mechanism on pulmonary fibrosis still unknown.

PURPOSE

Our study aimed to investigate and validate the anti-fibrotic properties of trichodelphinine A in pulmonary fibrosis animals induced by bleomycin (BLM), and its mechanism whether via NOX4-ARG1/TGF-β signaling pathway.

METHODS

The anti-fibrotic effects of trichodelphinine A were evaluated using BLM-induced rats through indicators of lung histopathology and collagen synthesis. Dynamic metabolomics evaluated the metabolic disorder and therapeutic effect of trichodelphinine A. The interaction between trichodelphinine A and NOX4 receptor was confirmed using CETSA and molecular dynamics experiments. Molecular biology experiments were conducted in NOX4 gene knockout mice to investigate the intervention effect of trichodelphinine A.

RESULTS

Trichodelphinine A could suppress histopathologic changes, collagen deposition and proinflammatory cytokine release pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin induced rats. Dynamic metabolomics studies revealed that trichodelphinine A could correct endogenous metabolic disorders of arachidonic acid, arginine and proline during fibrosis development, which revealed that the regulation of oxidative stress and amino acid metabolism targeting NOX4 and ARG1 may be the main pharmacological mechanisms of trichodelphinine A on pulmonary fibrosis. We further determined that trichodelphinine A inhibited over oxidative stress and collagen deposition by suppressing Nrf2-keap1 and ARG1-OAT signaling pathways, respectively. Molecular dynamics studies showed that trichodelphinine A was directly binds with NOX4, in which PHE354 and THR355 residues of NOX4 are critical binding sites for trichodelphinine A. Mechanistic validation in cells or mice with NOX4 knockout or silencing suggested that the anti-fibrotic effects of trichodelphinine A depended on inhibition of NOX4 to suppress ARG1/OAT activation and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our findings indicate a powerful anti-fibrotic function of trichodelphinine A in pulmonary fibrosis via targeting NOX4. NOX4 mediates the activation of ARG1/OAT to regulate arginase-proline metabolism, and promotes TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, thereby affecting the collagen synthesis in pulmonary fibrosis, which is a novel finding and indicates that inhibition of NOX4 is a novel therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.

A metabolomics study on the mechanisms of Gardeniae fructus against α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestatic liver injury

Gardeniae fructus (GF) is known for its various beneficial effects on cholestatic liver injury (CLI). However, the biological mechanisms through which GF regulates CLI have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of GF against α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced CLI. First, HPLC technology was used to analyze the chemical profile of the GF extract. Second, the effects of GF on serum biochemical indicators and liver histopathology were examined. Lastly, metabolomics was utilized to study the changes in liver metabolites and clarify the associated metabolic pathways. In chemical analysis, 10 components were identified in the GF extract. GF treatment regulated serum biochemical indicators in ANIT-induced CLI model rats and alleviated liver histological damage. Metabolomics identified 26 endogenous metabolites as biomarkers of ANIT-induced CLI, with 23 biomarkers returning to normal levels, particularly involving primary bile acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. GF shows promise in alleviating ANIT-induced CLI by modulating multiple pathways.

Zhilining Formula alleviates DSS-induced colitis through suppressing inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction via the AHR/NF-κBp65 axis

BACKGROUND

Repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier and reducing persistent inflammation is the key strategies for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Zhilining Formula (ZLN), composed of Andrographis herba (AH), Sophorae flavescentis radix (SFA), and Aucklandia radix (AR), is a well-tried formula for the clinical treatment of enteritis and dysentery in China, and its mechanism has not been clarified.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the effect of ZLN on UC and elucidate its underlying mechanism via metabolomics analysis and experimental verification.

METHODS

The effect of ZLN on UC was evaluated in a 3.5 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice model via the body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, colonic histopathology, expression of inflammation factors, and intestinal barrier in mice. An UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS approach-based metabolomics analysis was performed to preliminary explore the mechanism of ZLN in colitis. Based on the results of metabolomics analysis, the expression of related protein or mRNA in AHR/NF-κBp65 axis was determined by qPCR and western blotting. Moreover, the potential interactions of active ingredients of ZLN with NF-κBp65 and AHR were investigated in vitro through using agonists and inhibitors of NF-κBp65 and AHR, respectively.

RESULTS

ZLN alleviated body weight loss and colonic shortening in colitis mice, and down-regulated the DAI and histopathological score as well. ZLN also decreased the levels of inflammatory factors (MPO, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18), protected goblet cell function and intestinal barrier in DSS-induced mice. Metabolomics results revealed that 36 metabolites that were significantly altered in mice after induction with DSS, which involved in 16 metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, phenylalanine metabolism, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, tryptophan (Trp) metabolism, retinol metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism, etc. ZLN restored 26 different metabolites (DEMs) of them to normal-like levels, indicating ZLN regulated the AA metabolism and Trp-metabolism in UC mice, which hinted its potential pharmacological mechanism related to AHR/NF-κBp65 axis. We further confirmed that ZLN could restrain the activation of NF-κBp65 signaling pathway and then inhibit the expression of its mediated inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2 and IL17A. Moreover, ZLN increased nuclear translocation of AHR and IL22 expression, which is an important regulatory signal for intestinal mucosal barrier repaired. Finally, we elucidated in vitro that the active ingredients of ZLN exerted anti-colitis effects by activating AHR and simultaneously inhibiting NF-κBp65.

CONCLUSION

ZLN relieved colitis by AHR/NF-κBp65 axis. This study highlighted the important role of AHR and NF-κBp65 in UC, and provided a theoretical basis for the application of ZLN.

A study for quality evaluation of Lysimachiae herba from different origins based on fingerprint-activity relationship modeling and multi-component content determination

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lysimachiae Herba (LH), called Jinqiancao in Chinese, is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice. Doctors in the Qing Dynasty recorded that it tastes bitter, sour, and slightly cold, and it belongs to the liver, gallbladder, kidney, and bladder meridians. It has the effects of removing dampness and jaundice, eliminating gallstones, and reducing blood stasis. Because of its potent pharmacological effects, it is extensively utilized in the treatment of hepatobiliary and urinary system stones, jaundice, hepatitis, and cholecystitis. Although LH is included in "Sichuan authentic Chinese herbal medicine records", the quality of it from different origins still lacks reliable evaluation methods, which is difficult to reflect the high quality of LH from Sichuan.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to establish a fingerprint-activity relationship model between the fingerprint of LH and its protective effect on cholestatic liver injury, and to evaluate the quality of LH from Sichuan and Guizhou by multivariate statistical analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

20 batches of LH samples were collected from Sichuan and Guizhou. Characteristic fingerprints of samples were established by UHPLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS and the chemical pattern recognition analysis was carried out by HCA. Then, a rat model of cholestatic liver injury was established by intragastric administration of ANIT. Combined with the common peak information of fingerprint and pharmacodynamic index results, GCA and BCA were used to screen the efficacy markers. Finally, based on UHPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS, the content of efficacy markers was simultaneously determined, and the overall quality of LH from two origins was evaluated by PCA and TOPSIS.

RESULTS

In the fingerprint of 20 batches of LH, 15 common peaks were identified in the negative ion mode, and the similarity was between 0.887 and 0.981. Pharmacological results showed that, compared with the control group, the content of AST, ALT, ALP, TBA, TBIL, and MDA in serum increased, and the content of GSH and SOD activity decreased after 48 h of ANIT administration. In addition, compared to the model group, different doses of LH from the two origins could decrease the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TBA, TBIL, and MDA, raise the levels of GSH and SOD activity, reduce the infiltration range of inflammatory cells, and improve the cholestatic liver injury in rats. Among them, the pharmacodynamic indices of the SCHD group were significantly better. GCA and BCA showed that a total of 7 constituents related to the efficacy were screened, which were proanthocyanidin B1, ferulic acid, hyperoside, astragalin, nicotiflorin, afzelin, and kaempferol. Besides, the content of 7 active constituents in samples from Sichuan was higher than that from Guizhou, indicating that the quality of samples from Sichuan may be better, consistent with the result of the pharmacological experiment.

CONCLUSION

The quality and efficacy of LH from different origins were stable, and all of them had protective effects on cholestatic liver injury in rats. The method established in this study is accurate and reliable, and it can be used to comprehensively evaluate the internal quality of LH.

Wedelolactone alleviates cholestatic liver injury by regulating FXR-bile acid-NF-κB/NRF2 axis to reduce bile acid accumulation and its subsequent inflammation and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Cholestatic liver diseases (CLD) comprise a variety of disorders of bile formation, which causes chronic exposure to bile acid (BA) in the liver generally and results in hepatotoxicity and progressive hepatobiliary injury. Wedelolactone (7-methoxy-5, 11, 12-trihydroxy-coumestan, WED), the natural active compound derived from Ecliptae Herba, has been reported with valuable bioactivity for liver protection. Nevertheless, the effect of WED on cholestatic liver injury (CLI) remains unexplored.

PURPOSE

The present study aims to elucidate the protective effect of WED on Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced CLI mice, and to investigate its potential pharmacological mechanism.

METHODS

The anit-cholestatic and hepatoprotective effects of WED were evaluated in ANIT-induced CLI mice. Non-targeted metabolomics study combined with ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to explore the key mechanism of WED. The BA metabolic profile in enterohepatic circulation was analyzed to evaluate the effect of WED in regulating BA metabolism. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were used to simulate and verify the targeting activation of WED on the Farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The core role of FXR in WED promoting BA transportation, and alleviating BA accumulation-induced hepatotoxicity was further evaluated in WT and FXR knockout mice or hepatocytes.

RESULTS

WED dose-dependently alleviated ANIT-induced cholestasis and liver injury in mice, and simultaneously suppressed the signaling pathway of nuclear factor-kappa B/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NF-κB/NRF2) to relieve inflammation and oxidative stress. At the metabolite level, WED improved the metabolic disorder in CLI mice focusing on the metabolism of BA, arachidonic acid, and glycerophospholipid, that closely related to the process of BA regulation, inflammation, and oxidative damage. WED targeting activated FXR, which then transcribed its target genes, including the bile salt export pump (BSEP) and the BA transporter, and subsequently increased BA transportation to restore the damaged enterohepatic circulation of BA. Meanwhile, WED alleviated hepatic BA accumulation and protected the liver from BA-induced damage via NF-κB/NRF2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, FXR deficiency suppressed the protective effect of WED in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

WED regulated BA metabolism and alleviated hepatic damage in cholestasis. It protected the liver according to adjusted BA transportation and relieved BA accumulation-related hepatotoxicity via FXR-bile acid-NF-κB/NRF2 axis. Our study provides novel insights that WED might be a promising strategy for cholestatic liver disease.

Gut microbiota-mediated C-sulfonate metabolism impairs the bioavailability and anti-cholestatic efficacy of andrographolide

Cholestatic liver injury results from the accumulation of toxic bile acids in the liver, presenting a therapeutic challenge with no effective treatment available to date. Andrographolide (AP) has exhibited potential as a treatment for cholestatic liver disease. However, its limited oral bioavailability poses a significant obstacle to harnessing its potent therapeutic properties and restricts its clinical utility. This limitation is potentially attributed to the involvement of gut microbiota in AP metabolism. In our study, employing pseudo-germ-free, germ-free and strain colonization animal models, along with 16S rRNA and shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis, we elucidate the pivotal role played by gut microbiota in the C-sulfonate metabolism of AP, a process profoundly affecting its bioavailability and anti-cholestatic efficacy. Subsequent investigations pinpoint a specific enzyme, adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (APS) reductase, predominantly produced by Desulfovibrio piger, which catalyzes the reduction of SO42- to HSO3-. HSO3- subsequently interacts with AP, targeting its C=C unsaturated double bond, resulting in the formation of the C-sulfonate metabolite, 14-deoxy-12(R)-sulfo andrographolide (APM). Inhibition of APS reductase leads to a notable enhancement in AP bioavailability and anti-cholestatic efficacy. Furthermore, employing RNA sequencing analysis and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) knockout mice, our findings suggest that AP may exert its anti-cholestatic effects by activating the FXR pathway to promote bile acid efflux. In summary, our study unveils the significant involvement of gut microbiota in the C-sulfonate metabolism of AP and highlights the potential benefits of inhibiting APS reductase to enhance its therapeutic effects. These discoveries provide valuable insights into enhancing the clinical applicability of AP as a promising treatment for cholestatic liver injury.

Black rice regulates lipid metabolism, liver injury, oxidative stress and adipose accumulation in high-fat/cholesterol diet mice based on gut microbiota and untargeted metabonomics

Black rice displays a series of properties including regulating lipid metabolism and attenuating liver injury. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of Zixiangnuo black rice (ZG), peeled rice (ZPG), rice bran (ZBG) on lipid metabolism, liver inflammation, gut microbiota and metabolite profiles in high-fat/cholesterol (HFCD) diet mice. A total of 5 treatment groups were fed a normal control diet or a HFCD with or without HB supplementation for 10 weeks. The results showed that ZBG significantly improved lipid parameters, liver function and injury and blood glucose indexes related to hyperlipidemia compared with HFCD group. ZBG recovered the disorder of gut microbiota by increasing Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and Lactobacillus abundance, and decreasing Proteobacteria abundance. ZBG enhanced the levels of 6 short chain fatty acids. Fecal metabolomics analysis showed that the important differential metabolites between ZBG and HFCD group were Deoxycholic acid and Myclobutanil, and metabolic pathways were Arachidonic acid metabolism and ABC transporters. Results suggested that BR or bran were effective dietary candidates to ameliorate hyperlipidemia.

Integrative Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolome to Illuminate the Protective Effects of Didymin against Acute Hepatic Injury

Based on the multiomics analysis, this study is aimed at investigating the underlying mechanism of didymin against acute liver injury (ALI). The mice were administrated with didymin for 2 weeks, followed by injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus D-galactosamine (D-Gal) to induce ALI. The pathological examination revealed that didymin significantly ameliorated LPS/D-Gal-induced hepatic damage. Also, it markedly reduced proinflammatory cytokines release by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation, alleviating inflammatory injury. A transcriptome analysis proved 2680 differently expressed genes (DEGs) between the model and didymin groups and suggested that the PI3K/Akt and metabolic pathways might be the most relevant targets. Meanwhile, the metabolome analysis revealed 67 differently expressed metabolites (DEMs) between the didymin and model groups that were mainly clustered into the glycerophospholipid metabolism, which was consistent with the transcriptome study. Importantly, a comprehensive analysis of both the omics indicated a strong correlation between the DEGs and DEMs, and an in-depth study demonstrated that didymin alleviated metabolic disorder and hepatocyte injury likely by inhibiting the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway through the regulation of PLA2G4B, LPCAT3, and CEPT1 expression. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that didymin can ameliorate LPS/D-Gal-induced ALI by inhibiting the glycerophospholipid metabolism and PI3K/Akt and TLR4/NF-κB pathways.

Nigakinone alleviates DSS-induced experimental colitis via regulating bile acid profile and FXR/NLRP3 signaling pathways

The correlation of bile acid (BA) metabolism disorder with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is realized nowadays. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a controller for BA homeostasis and inflammation, is a promising target for UC therapy. Nigakinone has potential therapeutic effects on colitis. Herein, we investigated the anti-UC effects and mechanism of nigakinone in colitic animals induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The related targets involved in the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway were measured. BA-targeted metabolomics was employed to reveal the regulatory effects of nigakinone on BA profile in colitis, while expressions of FXR and its mediated targets referring to BA enterohepatic circulation were determined. The critical role of FXR in the treatment of nigakinone for colitis was studied via molecule-docking, dual-luciferase reporter® (DLR™) assays, FXR silencing cells, and FXR knockout mice. Results showed nigakinone attenuated DSS-induced colitis symptoms, including excessive inflammatory response by NLRP3 activation, and injury of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Nigakinone regulated BA disorders by controlling cholesterol hydroxylase and transporters mediated by FXR, then decreased BA accumulation in colon. Molecular-docking and DLR™ assays indicated FXR might be a target of nigakinone. In vitro, nigakinone restrained BA-induced inflammation and cell damage via FXR activation and inhibition of inflammatory cytokines. However, ameliorating effects of nigakinone on colitis were suppressed by FXR knockout or silencing in vivo or in vitro. Taken together, nigakinone ameliorated experimental colitis via regulating BA profile and FXR/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Promising traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease process (cholestasis, hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is mainly characterized by cholestasis. If not treated, it will deteriorate to cholestatic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even liver failure. CLD has a high clinical incidence, and limited treatment with single therapy. In the long-term clinical exploration, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been corroborated with unique therapeutic effects on the CLD process.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This paper summarizes the effective single and compound TCMs for the treatment of CLD. According to 4 important clinical stages of CLD: cholestasis, hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, pharmacological effects and mechanisms of 5 typical TCM examples are reviewed, aims to provide basis for clinical drug selection in different processes of CLD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant scientific articles regarding therapeutic effects of TCM for the CLD were collected from different databases. We collated three single herbs including Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit. or Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, Yin Chen in Chinese), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch. (Paeoniae radix rubra, Chi Shao in Chinese), Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Poria, Fu Ling in Chinese), and two compound herbs of Huang Qi Decoction (HQD) and Yin Chen Hao Decoction (YCHD) to studied and analyzed.

RESULTS

We proposed five promising TCMs treatments for the important developmental stages of CLD. Among them, Yin Chen is an essential medicine for protecting liver and gallbladder, and its TCM prescription is also a promising strategy for cholestasis. Based on clinical evidence, high-dose application of Chi Shao is a clinical special treatment of cholestasis hepatitis. Fu Ling can regulate immune cells and increase antibody levels in serum, which is expected to be an emerging therapy to prevent cholestatic liver fibrosis to cirrhosis. HQD can be used as routine clinical medicine for liver fibrosis. In addition, YCHD can exert better comprehensive advantages with multiple components, can treat the whole course of CLD and prevent it from developing to the end-stage.

CONCLUSION

Yin Chen, Chi Shao, Fu Ling, HQD and YCHD have shown good clinical efficacy in controlling the development of CLD. Clinically, it is easier to curb the development of CLD by adopting graded diagnosis and treatment measures. We suggest that CLD should be risk stratified in clinical treatment to ensure personalized treatment for patients, so as to slow down the development of the disease.

Studies on the mechanism of energy metabolism via AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway induced by compatibility of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort and Gastrodia

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates overall energy consumption and energy intake through cytokines. Ligusticum striatum DC (CX) combined with Gastrodia elata Blume (TM) has been used for migraine treatment for millennia. When used alone in clinical practice, CX causes symptoms of thirst, irritability, and yellow urine and has influenced the levels of cytokines such as AMP that activate the AMPK pathway of energy metabolism. However, relationships between this compatibility prescription, integral biological energy metabolism, and the AMPK pathway remain unclear. Studies were performed by treating normal rats with physiological saline, CX extract, CX coupled TM extract, and TM extracts separately for 4 weeks. Food intake, water intake, urine output, stool output, and body weight were monitored once a week by the metabolic cage method. Values of FBG, BUN, TP, TC and TG in blood samples were detected approaching the whole blood automatic detector from 1 to 4 weeks. Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, cAMP, and cGMP activity were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the biological samples that were obtained at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after drug administration were tested by GC-TOF-MS. Then real-time PCR and Western Blot were applied to detect changes in expression of some substances involved in energy metabolism. The results demonstrated that administering CX alone increased energy input, mobility, and respiratory exchange ratio, accelerated energy consumption, and caused inflammatory infiltration in the liver. CX coupled with TM led to lower energy metabolism and liver damage in comparison with CX used alone. Moreover, CX-treated rats harbored higher levels of differential metabolites (including pyrophosphate, oxaloacetic acid, and galactinol). Glycerophospholipid metabolism and the citrate cycle are closely related to the differential metabolites above. In addition, CX-induced unbalanced energy metabolism depends on cAMP activation mediated by the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway in rats. Our findings suggest that CX-induced energy metabolism imbalance was corrected after coupling with TM by mediating the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway.

Inhibition of NLRP3-mediated crosstalk between hepatocytes and liver macrophages by geniposidic acid alleviates cholestatic liver inflammatory injury

The excessive accumulation of bile acids (BA) in hepatocytes can trigger inflammatory response and recruit macrophages, thereby accelerating cholestatic liver injury. The crosstalk between hepatocytes and macrophages has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of cholestasis; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that BA initiate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in hepatocytes to release proinflammatory cytokines and promote the communication between hepatocytes and macrophages, thus enhancing liver inflammation in an NLRP3-dependent manner. NLRP3-inhibition by geniposidic acid (GPA), a novel NLRP3-specific covalent inhibitor that directly interacts with NLRP3, in hepatocytes and macrophages abated BA-induced inflammation. Moreover, NLRP3-deletion or its inhibition mitigated ANIT-induced cholestatic inflammation, whereas disrupting the crosstalk between hepatic macrophages and hepatocytes attenuated the hepatoprotective effect of GPA against ANIT-induced cholestatic inflammation. Therefore, blocking this crosstalk by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for cholestasis.

Modified highland barley regulates lipid metabolism, liver inflammation and gut microbiota in high-fat/cholesterol diet mice as revealed by LC-MS based metabonomics

Highland barley (HB) displays a series of properties including regulation of lipid metabolism and attenuation of liver injury. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of modified highland barley (MHB) including fluidized highland barley (HB-1), extruded and puffed highland barley (HB-2), and ultrafine pulverized highland barley (HB-3) on lipid metabolism, liver inflammation, gut microbiota and metabolite profiles in mice fed with a high-fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD). 6 treatment groups were fed a normal control diet or an HFCD with or without MHB supplementation for 10 weeks. Results showed that MHB significantly improved lipid parameters, liver function and injury and blood glucose indexes related to hyperlipidemia compared with the HFCD group. In addition, MHB recovered the disorder of gut microbiota by increasing the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and Lactobacillus and Allobaculum abundances and decreasing Proteobacteria abundance related to lipid metabolism bacteria. MHB reversed the decrease of short-chain fatty acid levels caused by the HFCD. Fecal metabolomics analysis showed that the important differential metabolites between HB-1 and HFCD were deoxycholic acid, myclobutanil and dibutyl phthalate, and the important differential metabolic pathways were arachidonic acid metabolism, ABC transporters and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Results suggested that MHB especially HB-1 were better effective dietary intervention candidates to ameliorate hyperlipidemia compared with HB.

San-Huang-Chai-Zhu Formula Ameliorates Liver Injury in Intrahepatic Cholestasis through Suppressing SIRT1/PGC-1α-Regulated Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Background

Chinese herbal formulae possess promising applications in treating intrahepatic cholestasis.

Objective

Our study aims to explore the protective effect of the San-Huang-Chai-Zhu formula (SHCZF) on liver injury in intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) and investigate the underlying mechanism related to mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Methods

An IC rat model was established by α-naphthyl isothiocyanate induction. Hepatic histomorphology was observed through hematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of biochemical indexes of hepatic function and oxidative stress were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell apoptosis in liver tissues was detected by the TUNEL assay. The mRNA expression of mtDNA, SIRT1, and PGC-1α was measured by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, SIRT1, and PGC-1α was determined by Western blotting.

Results

SHCZF treatment attenuated liver injury in IC. Levels of hepatic function parameters were decreased after SHCZF administration. In addition, the decreased level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in hepatic mitochondria confirmed that SHCZF could attenuate oxidative stress in IC. SHCZF treatment also reduced the apoptosis in the liver tissues of IC rats. Furthermore, SHCZF administration upregulated the expression of mtDNA, SIRT1, and PGC-1α in IC.

Conclusions

SHCZF exerts a protective effect on liver injury in IC via alleviating SIRT1/PGC-1α-regulated mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Combination of resveratrol and luteolin ameliorates α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis by regulating the bile acid homeostasis and suppressing oxidative stress

Cholestasis is a common liver injury without any effective therapeutic drugs so far. Resveratrol (RES) and luteolin (LUT) are natural polyphenols that exert protective effects on multiple liver injuries. Coadministration of RES and LUT could significantly improve the bioavailability of LUT and increase the systemic exposure to RES, and the combined treatment could also benefit from their multi-component and multi-target characteristics. Our current aim is to study the protective effects of coadministration of RES and LUT on α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis. Serum biochemical indices and liver histopathology in rats indicated that coadministration of RES and LUT could improve liver function by suppressing oxidative stress. Dysregulated bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a significant pathological feature of cholestasis, which was determined to explore the potential biomarkers and to clarify the protection mechanism of coadministration of RES and LUT. The levels of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, taurine conjugates and glycine conjugates, and the ratios of taurine conjugates to their free forms could be used as diagnosis indicators for cholestasis in rats. Furthermore, the coadministration of RES and LUT could restore the BA levels and exert better protective effects than administration alone. This study suggested that the coadministration of RES and LUT could protect against ANIT-induced cholestasis and the mechanism was closely related to regulating BA homeostasis and suppressing oxidative stress.

Swertiamarin, an active iridoid glycoside from Swertia pseudochinensis H. Hara, protects against alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis by activating the farnesoid X receptor and bile acid excretion pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Swertiamarin (SW), which belongs to iridoid glycosides, is one of the main components of Swertia plants in Gentianaceae family, including Swertia pseudochinensis H. Hara and Swertia mileensis T. N. Ho et W. L. Shi. There are mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hepatic and biliary disease such as jaundice.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

This experiment aimed to explore the protective mechanism of SW on cholestasis induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Healthy rats were randomly divided into the control, model (ANIT, 50 mg/kg), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 80 mg/kg), and low-dose (SW, 80 mg/kg), medium-dose (SW, 100 mg/kg), and high-dose (SW, 150 mg/kg) groups. The hepatic protective effect of SW was preliminarily evaluated by measurement of serum biochemical indicators and liver morphological evaluation. Moreover, metabolomics and proteomics analysis were used to explore the protective mechanism of SW on cholestasis. The expression of related proteins was determined by Western blot and polymerase chain reaction, and the important proteins were verified by cell experiments in vitro.

RESULTS

SW (100 mg/kg) can reduce the serum levels of the model group. The hepatocyte of the medium-dose treatment group was arranged neatly without evident inflammation. SW can partially reverse the changes in cholestasis metabolites, such as taurocholic acid, SM (d18:1/16:0), all-trans-retinoic acid and other products of rats. The main metabolic pathways affected were primary bile acid synthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism and retinol metabolism. SW medium-dose treatment group showed effective reversal of 25 related proteins and it can remarkably reduce the contents of NTCP and CYP27A1 in rat liver and increase the protein expressions of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, bile salt export pump, multidrug resistance-associated protein and FXR.

CONCLUSIONS

SW can alleviate ANIT-induced cholestasis, which by activating the farnesoid X receptor and bile acid excretion pathway.

Farnesoid X receptor contributes to oleanolic acid‐induced cholestatic liver injury in mice

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor involved in the metabolism of bile acid. However, the molecular signaling of FXR in bile acid homeostasis in cholestatic drug‐induced liver injury remains unclear. Oleanolic acid (OA), a natural triterpenoid, has been reported to produce evident cholestatic liver injury in mice after a long‐term use. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FXR in OA‐induced cholestatic liver injury in mice using C57BL/6J (WT) mice and FXR knockout (FXR^−/−) mice. The results showed that a significant alleviation in OA‐induced cholestatic liver injury was observed in FXR^−/− mice as evidenced by decreases in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase as well as reduced hepatocyte necrosis. UPLC‐MS analysis of bile acids revealed that the contents of bile acids decreased significantly in liver and serum, while increased in the bile in FXR^−/− mice compared with in WT mice. In addition, the mRNA expressions of hepatic transporter Bsep, bile acid synthesis enzymes Bacs and Baat, and bile acids detoxifying enzymes Cyp3a11, Cyp2b10, Ephx1, Ugt1a1, and Ugt2b5 were increased in liver tissues of FXR^−/− mice treated with OA. Furthermore, the expression of membrane protein BSEP was significantly higher in livers of FXR^−/− mice compared with WT mice treated with OA. These results demonstrate that knockout of FXR may alleviate OA‐induced cholestatic liver injury in mice by decreasing accumulation of bile acids both in the liver and serum, increasing the export of bile acids via the bile, and by upregulation of bile acids detoxification enzymes.

Oleanolic acid (OA) induces cholestatic liver injury in mice after a long‐term use. Here we demonstrated a significant alleviation in OA‐induced cholestatic liver injury in Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) knockout (FXR‐/‐) mice as compared to the wildtype mice. Downregulation of FXR decreased contents of bile acids in liver and serum, while increased the contents in the bile. In addition, the expression of membrane protein BSEP was significantly higher in livers of FXR‐/‐ mice compared to WT mice treated with OA.

Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomics Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Aspirin Eugenol Ester Ameliorating Rat Hyperlipidemia via Inhibiting FXR to Induce CYP7A1

Hyperlipidemia is an important lipid disorder and a risk factor for health. Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a novel synthetic compound which is made up of two chemical structural units from aspirin and eugenol. Therapeutic effect of AEE on hyperlipidemia has been confirmed in animal model. But the action mechanism of AEE on hyperlipidemia is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of AEE on liver and feces metabolic profile through UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics in hyperlipidemia hamster induced with high fat diet (HFD), and the effects of AEE on the expression of genes and proteins related to cholesterol and bile acid (BA) in HFD-induced hyperlipidemia SD rat. The concentrations of 26 bile acids (BAs) in the liver from hyperlipidemia SD rat were also quantified with the application of BA targeted metabolomics. The results of untargeted metabolomics showed that the underlying mechanism of AEE on hyperlipidemia was mainly associated with amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, energy metabolism, BA metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. AEE induced the expression of the BA-synthetic enzymes cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) by the inhibition of BA nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in liver, which resulted in accelerating the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and excrete in feces. The results of BA targeted metabolomics showed that AEE elevated the glycine-conjugated BA level and decreased the tauro-conjugated BA level. In conclusion, this study found that AEE decreased FXR and increased CYP7A1 in the liver, which might be the possible molecular mechanisms and targets of AEE for anti-hyperlipidemia therapies.

Protective Property of Scutellarin Against Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Mice

Liver injury is a clinical disorder caused by toxins, drugs, and alcohol stimulation without effective therapeutic approaches thus far. Scutellarin (SCU), isolated from the edible herb Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand. -Mazz. showed potential hepatoprotective effects, but the mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, transcriptomics combined with nontargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were performed to elucidate the functional mechanisms of SCU in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)–induced liver injury in mice. The results showed that SCU exerted potential hepatoprotective effects against CCl₄-induced liver injury by repressing CYP2E1 and IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathways, modulating the gut microbiota (especially enriching Lactobacillus), and regulating the endogenous metabolites involved in lipid metabolism and bile acid homeostasis. SCU originates from a functional food that appears to be a promising agent to guard against liver injury.

The beneficial effects of Lactobacillus brevis FZU0713-fermented Laminaria japonica on lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats fed with a high-fat diet

This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of the oral administration of Lactobacillus brevis FZU0713-fermented Laminaria japonica (FLJ) on lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). The results demonstrated that the oral administration of FLJ significantly inhibited obesity and improved the serum and hepatic biochemical parameters in HFD-fed rats. Histopathological results also indicated that FLJ intervention could significantly reduce the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver induced by HFD feeding. Furthermore, FLJ intervention up-regulated the fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels (mainly acetate, propionate and isobutyrate) in HFD-fed rats. Intestinal microbiota profiling by 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that FLJ intervention increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia, Collinsella, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013, Defluviitaleaceae_UCG-011, Intestinimonas, Actinomyces and Tyzzerella, but decreased the abundance of Flavonifractor, Collinsella, Sporosarcina and Lacticigenium. Based on Spearman's correlation, the fecal levels of TC, TG, acetic acid and butyric acid were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214, but negatively correlated with the relative amount of Flavonifractor and Collinsella. The metabolic function of intestinal microbiota predicted by PICRUSt analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that primary and secondary bile acid biosyntheses, fatty acid biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, etc. were significantly down-regulated after 8 weeks of FLJ intervention. Additionally, FLJ intervention significantly regulated the hepatic mRNA levels (including BSEP, CYP7A1, LDLR, HMGCR, CD36 and SREBP1-C) involved in lipid metabolism and bile acid homeostasis. In conclusion, these findings support the possibility that Laminaria japonica fermented with probiotic Lactobacillus has the potential to reduce the disturbance of lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal microflora and liver gene expression profiles, so it can be employed as a potential functional food to prevent hyperlipidemia.

Metabolomics analysis of the effects of quercetin on hepatotoxicity induced by acrylamide exposure in rats

Acrylamide (AA) widely exists in human diet, which makes the public inevitably exposed to AA in daily life. Thisstudy aimed to investigatethe effects of quercetin on AA-induced hepatotoxicity utilizing metabolomics technology. Sixty male Wistar Rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, two dosages of quercetinintervention[10 and 50 mg/kgbody weight (bw)], AA-treated [5 mg/kgbw], and two dosages of quercetin combined with AA intervention. AA and quercetin were given to rats via drinking water and gavage respectively. After 16 weeksoftreatment, liver samples were collected for metabolomics analysis. 16metabolites were finally identified, the intensities of glutathione and NADP were decreased (p < 0.01), whereas the intensities of taurodeoxycholic acid, glycocholic acid, cholic acid, sphingosine, sphingosine1-phosphate, stearidonyl carnitine, N-undecanoylglycine, cholesterol, 13,14-Dihydro-15-keto-PGE2, LysoPE (20:5), LysoPE (18:3), LysoPC (20:4), and PC (22:5) were increased (p < 0.01) in the AA-treated groupthan those in the control group. After high-dose quercetin (50 mg/kgbw) plus AA treated concurrently to rats, the contents of the above 16 metabolites were significantly restored. This research showed that 50 mg/kg quercetin can alleviate AA-induced hepatotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory injury and regulating lipid metabolism.

The protective mechanism ofLactobacillus plantarumFZU3013 against non-alcoholic fatty liver associated with hyperlipidemia in mice fed a high-fat diet

Lactobacillus plantarumFZU3013, isolated from the traditional brewing process ofHongqurice wine, has beneficial effects on improving lipid metabolism disorders.