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Liu Y, Chen H, Yang G, Feng F. Metabolomics and serum pharmacochemistry combined with network pharmacology uncover the potential effective ingredients and mechanisms of Yin-Chen-Si-Ni Decoction treating ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 335:118713. [PMID: 39163894 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Yin-Chen-Si-Ni Decoction is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription that is used clinically for treating cholestatic liver injury (CLI) and other hepatic diseases. However, the material basis and underlying mechanisms of YCSND are not clear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate effective components and mechanisms of YCSND in the treatment of CLI using serum pharmacochemistry, metabolomics, and network pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Biochemical indicators, liver index, and histopathology analysis were adopted to evaluate the protective effect of YCSND on ANIT-induced CLI rats. Then, a UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS analysis of the migrant components in serum and liver including prototype and metabolic components was performed in YCSND. In addition, a study of the endogenous metabolites using serum and liver metabolomics was performed to discover potential biomarkers, metabolic pathways, and associated mechanisms. Further, the network pharmacology oriented by in vivo migrant components was also used to pinpoint the active ingredients, core targets, and signaling pathways of YCSND. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) were used to predict the binding ability between components and core targets, and a real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) experiment was used to measure the mRNA expression of the core target genes. RESULTS Pharmacodynamic studies suggest that YCSND could exert obvious hepatoprotective effects on CLI rats. Furthermore, 68 compounds, comprising 32 prototype components and 36 metabolic components from YCSND, were found by serum pharmacochemistry analysis. Network pharmacology combining molecular docking and MDS showed that apigenin, naringenin, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, and isoformononetin have better binding ability to 6 core targets (EGFR, AKT1, IL6, MMP9, CASP3, PPARG). Additionally, PI3K, TNF-α, MAPK3, and six core target genes in liver tissues were validated with RT-qPCR. Metabolomics revealed the anti-CLI effects of YCSND by regulating four metabolic pathways of primary bile acid and biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology identified four pathways related to CLI, including the PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathway, which revealed multiple mechanisms of YCSND against CLI that might involve anti-inflammatory and apoptosis. CONCLUSION The research based on serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology, and metabolomics demonstrates the beneficial hepatoprotective effects of YCSND on CLI rats by regulating multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, and provides a potent means of illuminating the material basis and mechanisms of TCM prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Gongjun Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Fang Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Li H, Niu L, Wang M, Liu C, Wang Y, Su Y, Yang Y. Mechanism investigation of anti-NAFLD of Shugan Yipi Granule based on network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35491. [PMID: 39170438 PMCID: PMC11336705 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
As a classical traditional Chinese patent medicine, Shugan Yipi Granule is widely used in China to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) recently. Our previous study confirmed that Shugan Yipi Granule are effective in NAFLD. However, its underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Shugan Yipi Granule on NAFLD based on network pharmacology prediction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis and in vitro verification. We obtained the active ingredients and targets of Shugan Yipi Granule and NAFLD from 6 traditional Chinese medicine databases, and the crucial components and targets screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were used for molecular docking. Plasma metabolomics of NAFLD patients treated with Shugan Yipi Granule for one month was analyzed using LC-MS methods and MetaboAnalyst 4.0 to obtain significant differential metabolites and pathways. Finally, free fatty acid (FFA) induced HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of quercetin and kaempferol, then oil red o (ORO) and triglyceride (TG) level were tested to verify the lipid deposition of the cell. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the main active ingredients of Shugan Yipi Granule include quercetin, kaempferol and other 58 ones, as well as 188 potential targets. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to be the most relevant pathway for the treatment of NAFLD. Non-targeted metabolomics showed that quercetin and kaempferol were significantly up-regulated differential metabolites and were involved in metabolic pathways such as thyroid hormone signaling. In vitro results showed that quercetin, kaempferol were effective in reducing lipid deposition and TG content by inhibiting cellular fatty acid uptake. Ultimately, with the network pharmacology and serum metabolomics analysis, quercetin and kaempferol were found to be the important active ingredients and significantly up-regulated differential metabolites of Shugan Yipi Granule against NAFLD, which we inferred that they may regulate NAFLD through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and thyroid hormone metabolism pathway. The in vitro experiment verification results showed that quercetin and kaempferol attenuated the lipid accumulation and TG content by inhibiting the fatty acid uptake in the FFA-induced HepG2 cell. Current study provides the necessary experimental basis for subsequent in-depth mechanism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Li
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, China
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Xiaoguwei street, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - lijun Niu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Meiling Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chunmei Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yunlong Wang
- Academic Department, Giant Praise (HK) Pharmaceutical Group Limited, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yu Su
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yubin Yang
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, China
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Booijink R, Ramachandran P, Bansal R. Implications of innate immune sexual dimorphism for MASLD pathogenesis and treatment. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:614-627. [PMID: 38853100 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is significantly higher in men versus women. Increased prevalence is observed in postmenopausal women, suggesting that age and sex (hormones) influence MASLD development and progression. Molecular data further reveal that sex regulates the innate immune responses with an essential role in MASLD progression. To date, there has been limited focus on the role of innate immune sexual dimorphism in MASLD, and differences between men and women are not considered in the current drug discovery landscape. In this review, we summarize the sex disparities and innate immune sexual dimorphism in MASLD pathogenesis. We further highlight the importance of harnessing sexual dimorphism in identifying therapeutic targets, developing pharmacological therapies, and designing (pre-) clinical studies for the personalized treatment for MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richell Booijink
- Personalized Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Department of Bioengineering Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Prakash Ramachandran
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Personalized Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Department of Bioengineering Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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Wang Q, Zhou JY, Liu L, Yin ZY, Li YY, Wang M, Zhang JB, Lu H, Zhou XY, Zhang B. Resveratrol activates MAPK/ERK pathway to regulate oestrogen metabolism in type I endometrial cancer. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:227. [PMID: 38862934 PMCID: PMC11167854 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04509-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endometrial cancer (EC) is an oestrogen-dependent tumour, the occurrence of which is closely related to an imbalance of oestrogen homeostasis. Our previous studies explored the effects of Resveratrol(Res) on oestrogen metabolism. However, systematic research on the exact mechanism of action of Res is still lacking. Based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and animal experiments, the effects and molecular mechanisms of Res on endometrial cancer were investigated. METHODS The target of Res was obtained from the high-throughput experiment and reference-guided database of TCM (HERB) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) databases, and the target of endometrial cancer was obtained by using the Genecards database. Venny map was used to obtain the intersection target of Res in the treatment of endometrial cancer, and the protein interaction network of the intersection target was constructed by importing the data into the STRING database. Then, the drug-disease-target interaction network was constructed based on Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed for intersection targets using the OmicShare cloud platform. Res and core targets were analysed by molecular docking. EC model mice induced by MNNG were randomly divided into the control group, Res group, MNNG group, MNNG + Res group, and MNNG + Res + MAPK/ERKi group. The protein levels of ERK and p-ERK in the mouse uterus were detected by Western blot. The levels of E1, E2, E3, 16-epiE3, 17-epiE3, 2-MeOE1, 4-MeOE1, 2-MeOE2, 4-MeOE2, 3-MeOE1, 2-OHE1, 4-OHE1, 2-OHE2, 4-OHE2, and 16α-OHE1 in the serum and endometrial tissue of mice were measured by LC‒MS/MS. RESULTS A total of 174 intersection targets of Res anti-endometrial cancer were obtained. The signalling pathways analysed by KEGG enrichment included the AGE-RAGE signalling pathway in diabetic complications, the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and the MAPK signalling pathway. The top 10 core targets were MAPK3, JUN, TP53, CASP3, TNF, IL1B, AKT1, FOS, VEGFA and INS. Molecular docking showed that in addition to TNF, other targets had good affinity for Res, and the binding activity with MAPK3 was stable. Western blot results showed that Res increased the phosphorylation level of ERK and that MAPK/ERKi decreased ERK activation. In the LC-MS/MS analysis, the levels of 2-MeOE1, 2-MeOE2 and 4-MeOE1 in serum and uterine tissue showed a significantly decreasing trend in the MNNG group, while that of 4-OHE2 was increased (P < 0.05). The concentrations of 4-MeOE1 in serum and 2-MeOE1 and 2-MeOE2 in the endometrial tissue of mice were significantly increased after Res treatment, and those of 4-OHE2 in the serum and uterus of mice were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the MAPK/ERKi intervention group, the effect of Res on the reversal of oestrogen homeostasis imbalance was obviously weakened. CONCLUSION Res has multiple targets and multiple approaches in the treatment of endometrial cancer. In this study, it was found that Res regulates oestrogen metabolism by activating the MAPK/ERK pathway. This finding provides a new perspective for subsequent research on the treatment of endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia-Yun Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, China
| | - Ze-Yuan Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yan-Yu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing-Bo Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Physical Examination Center, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xue-Yan Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Chen LM, Qian ST, Li ZQ, He MF, Li HJ. Psoralen and Isopsoralen, Two Estrogen -Like Natural Products from Psoraleae Fructus, Induced Cholestasis via Activation of ERK1/2. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:804-813. [PMID: 38646980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
With the increasing use of oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement therapy, the incidence of estrogen-induced cholestasis (EC) has tended to rise. Psoralen (P) and isopsoralen (IP) are the major bioactive components in Psoraleae Fructus, and their estrogen-like activities have already been recognized. Recent studies have also reported that ERK1/2 plays a critical role in EC in mice. This study aimed to investigate whether P and IP induce EC and reveal specific mechanisms. It was found that P and IP increased the expression of esr1, cyp19a1b and the levels of E2 and VTG at 80 μM in zebrafish larvae. Exemestane (Exe), an aromatase antagonist, blocked estrogen-like activities of P and IP. At the same time, P and IP induced cholestatic hepatotoxicity in zebrafish larvae with increasing liver fluorescence areas and bile flow inhibition rates. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that P and IP significantly decreased the expression of bile acids (BAs) synthesis genes cyp7a1 and cyp8b1, BAs transport genes abcb11b and slc10a1, and BAs receptor genes nr1h4 and nr0b2a. In addition, P and IP caused EC by increasing the level of phosphorylation of ERK1/2. The ERK1/2 antagonists GDC0994 and Exe both showed significant rescue effects in terms of cholestatic liver injury. In conclusion, we comprehensively studied the specific mechanisms of P- and IP-induced EC and speculated that ERK1/2 may represent an important therapeutic target for EC induced by phytoestrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Si-Tong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Zhuo-Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Ming-Fang He
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Hui-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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Wen T, Xie J, Ma L, Hao Z, Zhang W, Wu T, Li L. Vitamin D Receptor Activation Reduces Hepatic Inflammation via Enhancing Macrophage Autophagy in Cholestatic Mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:369-383. [PMID: 38104651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Macrophage autophagy dysfunction aggravates liver injury by activating inflammasomes, which can cleave pro-IL-1β to its active, secreted form. We investigated whether the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis could up-regulate macrophage autophagy function to inhibit the activation of inflammasome-dependent IL-1β during cholestasis. Paricalcitol (PAL; VDR agonist) was intraperitoneally injected into bile duct-ligated mice for 5 days. Up-regulation of VDR expression by PAL reduced liver injury by reducing the oxidative stress-induced inflammatory reaction in macrophages. Moreover, PAL inhibited inflammasome-dependent IL-1β generation. Mechanistically, the knockdown of VDR increased IL-1β generation, whereas VDR overexpression exerted the opposite effect following tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment. The inflammasome antagonist glyburide, the caspase-1-specific inhibitor YVAD, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) blocked the increase in Vdr shRNA-induced IL-1β production. Interestingly, up-regulation of VDR also enhanced macrophage autophagy. Autophagy reduction impaired the up-regulation of VDR-inhibited macrophage inflammasome-generated IL-1β, whereas autophagy induction showed a synergistic effect with VDR overexpression through ROS-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. This result was confirmed by p38 MAPK inhibitor, MAPK activator, and ROS inhibitor NAC. Collectively, PAL triggered macrophage autophagy by suppressing activation of the ROS-p38 MAPK pathway, which, in turn, suppressed inflammasome-generated cleaved, active forms of IL-1β, eventually leading to reduced inflammation. Thus, triggering the VDR may be a potential target for the anti-inflammatory treatment of cholestatic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfu Wen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Wenling First People's Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Liman Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Zhiqing Hao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Tingyao Wu
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Lihua Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Wenling First People's Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China.
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Xiang D, Liu Y, Zu Y, Yang J, He W, Zhang C, Liu D. Calculus Bovis Sativus alleviates estrogen cholestasis-induced gut and liver injury in rats by regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and bile acid profiles. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 302:115854. [PMID: 36273746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Natural Calculus Bovis (NCB) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for anti-inflammation, treating fever, pain, sedation, and recovering hepatobiliary function. Calculus Bovis Sativus (CBS), produced from in vitro artificial cultivation by bioengineering techniques, acts as an ideal substitute for NCB when treating various diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY Gut-liver injury is an important pathological feature of several cholestatic liver diseases, including estrogen-induced cholestasis (EIC). The strong link between cholestatic liver injury and intestinal damage emphasizes the need of considering gut-liver integrity during treatment. The purpose of this study is to look into the pharmacological activities of CBS on EIC-induced gut and liver damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS EIC-induced cholestatic rats were given oral gavage daily for five days with or without CBS (150 mg/kg). The liver/body weight, serum biochemistry, and tissue histopathology were then evaluated. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot analyses, and immunofluorescence were used to determine the gene expression associated with pathological alterations of the liver and intestine in EIC-induced cholestatic rats. Bile acid profiles within enterohepatic circulation were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS CBS significantly reduced relative liver weight, restored serum biochemistry levels, and improved the hepatic and intestinal pathological damage in EIC model rats. CBS reduced EIC-induced hepatic inflammation by inactivation of the NF-κB signaling and inhibition of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression. CBS alleviated EIC-induced hepatic and intestinal oxidative stress by regulating Nrf2-GCLM/GCLC and Nrf2-HO-1 pathways, respectively. CBS treatment upregulated Bcl-2 and downregulated Bax and cleaved caspase3 to improve EIC-induced hepatic and intestinal cell apoptosis. Additionally, CBS reversed the disorders of bile acid profiles in the enterohepatic circulation by reducing bile acid accumulation in the liver and plasma and increasing bile excretion and intestinal reabsorption of bile acids. CONCLUSION CBS alleviates EIC-induced hepatic and intestinal injury through regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and bile acid profiles. These results suggest that CBS or drugs targeting the gut-liver axis may be effective therapeutic agents for cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yue Zu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jinyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wenxi He
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chengliang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Dong Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Zheng Z, Xie J, Ma L, Hao Z, Zhang W, Li L. Vitamin D Receptor Activation Targets ROS-Mediated Crosstalk Between Autophagy and Apoptosis in Hepatocytes in Cholestasic Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:887-901. [PMID: 36280140 PMCID: PMC9972562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Observational epidemiologic studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with cholestasis. We reported previously that activation of the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis in cholangiocytes mitigates cholestatic liver injury by remodeling the damaged bile duct. However, the function of VDR in hepatocytes during cholestasis remains unclear. METHODS Paricalcitol (VDR agonist, 200 ng/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into bile duct-ligated mice every other day for 5 days. Primary hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells were transfected with Vdr short hairpin RNA, control short hairpin RNA, Vdr plasmid, control vector, Atg5 small interfering RNA (siRNA), and control siRNA. Liver histology, cell proliferation, and autophagy were evaluated. RESULTS Treatment with the VDR agonist paricalcitol improved liver injury in bile duct-ligated mice by up-regulating VDR expression in hepatocytes, which in turn reduced hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via suppressing the Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1 pathway. Mechanistically, upon exposure to an ROS-inducing compound, Vdr siRNA contributed to apoptosis, whereas the Vdr overexpression caused resistance to apoptosis. Interestingly, up-regulated VDR expression also increased the generation of autophagosomes and macroautophagic/autophagic flux, which was the underlying mechanism for reduced apoptosis following VDR activation. Autophagy depletion impaired the positive effects of VDR overexpression, whereas autophagy induction was synergystic with VDR overexpression. Importantly, up-regulation of VDR promoted autophagy activation by suppressing the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway. Thus, a p38MAPK inhibitor abrogated the Vdr siRNA-induced decrease in autophagy and the Vdr siRNA-induced increase in apoptosis. In contrast, a Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK activator prevented the enhancement of autophagy and decreased apoptosis following Vdr overexpression. Moreover, the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcystein (NAC) blocked Vdr siRNA-enhanced activation of the ERK/p38MAPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS VDR activation mitigated liver cholestatic injury by reducing autophagy-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis and suppressing the activation of the ROS-dependent ERK/p38MAPK pathway. Thus, VDR activation may be a potential target for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Wenling First People's Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China
| | - Liman Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China
| | - Zhiqing Hao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Lihua Li
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Wenling First People's Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
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Wang J, Wen J, Ma X, Yang J, Zhang Z, Xie S, Wei S, Jing M, Li H, Lang L, Zhou X, Zhao Y. Validation of MAPK signalling pathway as a key role of paeoniflorin in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy based on network pharmacology and metabolomics. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 935:175331. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Liao Z, Zi Y, Zhou C, Zeng W, Luo W, Zeng H, Xia M, Luo Z. Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Carbon Nanomaterials for the Removal of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13148. [PMID: 36361935 PMCID: PMC9654603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The large-scale production and frequent use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have led to the continuous release and wide distribution of these pollutions in the natural environment. At low levels, EDC exposure may cause metabolic disorders, sexual development, and reproductive disorders in aquatic animals and humans. Adsorption treatment, particularly using nanocomposites, may represent a promising and sustainable method for EDC removal from wastewater. EDCs could be effectively removed from wastewater using various carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotubes, graphene, magnetic carbon nanomaterials, carbon membranes, carbon dots, carbon sponges, etc. Important applications of carbon nanocomposites for the removal of different kinds of EDCs and the theory of adsorption are discussed, as well as recent advances in carbon nanocomposite synthesis technology and characterization technology. Furthermore, the factors affecting the use of carbon nanocomposites and comparisons with other adsorbents for EDC removal are reviewed. This review is significant because it helps to promote the development of nanocomposites for the decontamination of wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Liao
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yang Zi
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Chunyan Zhou
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Wenqian Zeng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Wenwen Luo
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Muqing Xia
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Zhoufei Luo
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Phytohormones and Growth Development, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
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Zou MZ, Kong WC, Cai H, Xing MT, Yu ZX, Chen X, Zhang LY, Wang XZ. Activation of natural killer T cells contributes to Th1 bias in the murine liver after 14 d of ethinylestradiol exposure. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:3150-3163. [PMID: 36051344 PMCID: PMC9331528 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i26.3150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the main component of oral contraceptives (OCs), ethinylestradiol (EE) has been widely applied as a model drug to induce murine intrahepatic cholestasis. The clinical counterpart of EE-induced cholestasis includes women who are taking OCs, sex hormone replacement therapy, and susceptible pregnant women. Taking intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) as an example, ICP consumes the medical system due to its high-risk fetal burden and the impotency of ursodeoxycholic acid in reducing adverse perinatal outcomes.
AIM To explore the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of EE-induced cholestasis based on the liver immune microenvironment.
METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice or invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell deficiency (Jα18-/- mice) were administered with EE (10 mg/kg, subcutaneous) for 14 d.
RESULTS Both Th1 and Th2 cytokines produced by NKT cells increased in the liver skewing toward a Th1 bias. The expression of the chemokine/chemokine receptor Cxcr6/Cxcl16, toll-like receptors, Ras/Rad, and PI3K/Bad signaling was upregulated after EE administration. EE also influenced bile acid synthase Cyp7a1, Cyp8b1, and tight junctions ZO-1 and Occludin, which might be associated with EE-induced cholestasis. iNKT cell deficiency (Jα18-/- mice) robustly alleviated cholestatic liver damage and lowered the expression of the abovementioned signaling pathways.
CONCLUSION Hepatic NKT cells play a pathogenic role in EE-induced intrahepatic cholestasis. Our research improves the understanding of intrahepatic cholestasis by revealing the hepatic immune microenvironment and also provides a potential clinical treatment by regulating iNKT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Zhi Zou
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei-Chao Kong
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Heng Cai
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng-Tao Xing
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zi-Xun Yu
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xin Chen
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lu-Yong Zhang
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xin-Zhi Wang
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
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A new strategy for the rapid identification and validation of direct toxicity targets of psoralen-induced hepatotoxicity. Toxicol Lett 2022; 363:11-26. [PMID: 35597499 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between small-molecule compounds of traditional Chinese medicine and their direct targets is the molecular initiation event, which is the key factor for toxicity efficacy. Psoralen, an active component of Fructus Psoraleae, is toxic to the liver and has various pharmacological properties. Although the mechanism of psoralen-induced hepatotoxicity has been studied, the direct target of psoralen remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover direct targets of psoralen. To this end, we initially used proteomics based on drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) technology to identify the direct targets of psoralen. Next, we used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis and verified the affinity effect of the 'component-target protein'. This method combines molecular docking technology to explore binding sites between small molecules and proteins. SPR and molecular docking confirmed that psoralen and tyrosine-protein kinase ABL1 could be stably combined. Based on the above experimental results, ABL1 is a potential direct target of psoralen-induced hepatotoxicity. Finally, the targets Nrf2 and mTOR, which are closely related to the hepatotoxicity caused by psoralen, were predicted by integrating proteomics and network pharmacology. The direct target ABL1 is located upstream of Nrf2 and mTOR, Nrf2 can influence the expression of mTOR by affecting the level of reactive oxygen species. Immunofluorescence experiments and western blot results showed that psoralen could affect ROS levels and downstream Nrf2 and mTOR protein changes, whereas the ABL1 inhibitor imatinib and ABL1 agonist DPH could enhance or inhibit this effect. In summary, we speculated that when psoralen causes hepatotoxicity, it acts on the direct target ABL1, resulting in a decrease in Nrf2 expression, an increase in ROS levels and a reduction in mTOR expression, which may cause cell death. We developed a new strategy for predicting and validating the direct targets of psoralen. This strategy identified the toxic target, ABL1, and the potential toxic mechanism of psoralen.
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