The preventive effect of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor for hepatic steatosis in a rat model of short bowel syndrome

Impact of hepatocyte growth factor on the colonic morphology and gut microbiome in short bowel syndrome rat model

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the impact of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on colonic morphology and gut microbiota in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS).

METHODS

SD rats underwent jugular vein catheterization for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 90% small bowel resection [TPN + SBS (control group) or TPN + SBS + intravenous HGF (0.3 mg/kg/day, HGF group)]. Rats were harvested on day 7. Colonic morphology, gut microflora, tight junction, and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) were evaluated.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in the colonic morphological assessment. No significant differences were observed in the expression of tight junction-related genes in the proximal colon. However, the claudin-1 expression tended to increase and the claudin-3 expression tended to decrease in the distal colon of the HGF group. The Verrucomicrobiota in the gut microflora of the colon tended to increase in the HGF group. The abundance of most LPS-producing microbiota was lower in the HGF group than in the control group. The gene expression of TLR4 was significantly downregulated in the distal colon of the HGF group.

CONCLUSION

HGF may enhance the mucus barrier through the tight junctions or gut microbiome in the distal colon.

Dietary polyamines promote intestinal adaptation in an experimental model of short bowel syndrome

Intestinal adaptation does not necessarily recover absorptive capacity in short bowel syndrome (SBS), sometimes resulting in intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Additionally, its therapeutic options remain limited. Polyamines (spermidine and spermine) are known as one of the autophagy inducers and play important roles in promoting the weaning process; however, their impact on intestinal adaptation is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of polyamines ingestion on adaptation and hepatic lipid metabolism in SBS. We performed resection of two-thirds of the small intestine in male Lewis rats as an SBS model. They were allocated into three groups and fed different polyamine content diets (0%, 0.01%, 0.1%) for 30 days. Polyamines were confirmed to distribute to remnant intestine, whole blood, and liver. Villous height and number of Ki-67-positive cells in the crypt area increased with the high polyamine diet. Polyamines increased secretory IgA and mucin content in feces, and enhanced tissue Claudin-3 expression. In contrast, polyamines augmented albumin synthesis, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and ATP storage in the liver. Moreover, polyamines promoted autophagy flux and activated AMP-activated protein kinase with suppression of lipogenic gene expression. Polyamines ingestion may provide a new therapeutic option for SBS with IFALD.

An update on the therapeutic role of RNAi in NAFLD/NASH

Unhealthy lifestyles have given rise to a growing epidemic of metabolic liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD often occurs as a consequence of obesity, and currently, there is no FDA-approved drug for its treatment. However, therapeutic oligonucleotides, such as RNA interference (RNAi), represent a promising class of pharmacotherapy that can target previously untreatable conditions. The potential significance of RNAi in maintaining physiological homeostasis, understanding pathogenesis, and improving metabolic liver diseases, including NAFLD, is discussed in this article. We explore why NAFLD/NASH is an ideal target for therapeutic oligonucleotides and provide insights into the delivery platforms of RNAi and its therapeutic role in addressing NAFLD/NASH.

Potential mechanisms underlying the effect of hepatocyte growth factor on liver injury in short bowel syndrome model rats

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the autophagy associated with apoptosis in hepatic damage in the short bowel syndrome rat model.

METHODS

SD rats underwent jugular vein catheterization for continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 90% small bowel resection. Animals were divided into two groups: TPN plus SBS (Control group) or TPN plus SBS plus intravenous administration of HGF (HGF group). On day 7, the rats were harvested, and hepatocellular injury was evaluated.

RESULTS

In an SBS rat model, hepatic steatosis and lobular inflammation were histologically suppressed in the HGF group (p < 0.01). The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the HGF group tend to be higher than that in the control group (p = 0.13). The gene expression of transforming Growth Factor-β in the HGF group was suppressed compared to the control group (p < 0.01). HGF treatment may have an antiapoptotic effect via the intrinsic pathway by caspase 9. Protein expressions of Rubicon (p = 0.03) and p62 (p < 0.01) in the HGF group were found to have increased compared to those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effect of HGF on hepatic steatosis remains unclear, and further studies focusing on the mechanisms of fat accumulation are needed.

The effect of hepatocyte growth factor on intestinal adaption in an experimental model of short bowel syndrome

PURPOSE

Nowadays, the standard therapy for patients with short bowel syndrome is parenteral nutrition (PN). Various growth factors have been tested to achieve weaning from prolonged PN administration. We evaluated the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on structural intestinal adaptation and cell proliferation in a rat model of SBS.

METHODS

Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups; group A rats (sham) underwent bowel transection, group B rats underwent a 75% bowel resection, and group C rats underwent the same procedure but were treated postoperatively with HGF. Histopathologic parameters of intestinal adaptation were determined, while microarray and rt-PCR analyses of ileal RNA were also performed.

RESULTS

Treatment with HGF resulted in significant increase in body weight, while the jejunal and ileal villus height and crypt depth were increased in HGF rats (36%, p < 0.05 and 27%, p < 0.05 respectively). Enterocyte proliferation was also significantly increased in HGF rats (21% p < 0.05). Microarray and quantitative rt-PCR analyses showed that the genes hgfac, rac 1, cdc42, and akt 1 were more than twofold up-regulated after HGF treatment.

CONCLUSION

HGF emerges as a growth factor that enhances intestinal adaptation. The future use of HGF may potentially reduce the requirement for PN in SBS patients.