Comparison of Two Protocols of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cirrhosis in Rats - Improving Yield and Reproducibility

Effect of high-dose intravenous iron injection on hepatic function in a rat model of cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the hepatic effects of high-dose intravenous (IV) iron, including those on liver function and the degree of fibrosis, in a rat model of cirrhosis.

METHODS

We evenly allocated 25 Sprague-Dawley rats into five groups: normal rats (control group), cirrhotic rats receiving IV normal saline (liver cirrhosis [LC] group), and cirrhotic rats receiving 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg IV ferric carboxymaltose (LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 group, respectively). Biochemical parameters were compared at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The degrees of hepatic fibrosis and iron deposition were evaluated. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were also compared.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the 28-day serum alanine aminotransferase levels among the LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 groups (69 ± 7, 1003 ± 127, 1064 ± 309, 919 ± 346, and 820 ± 195 IU/L in the control, LC, LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 groups, respectively). Hepatic iron accumulation increased in a dose-dependent manner, but the degree of hepatic fibrosis was comparable among the groups. The inflammatory and oxidative stress marker levels did not differ significantly according to the IV iron dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of IV iron at various high doses appears safe in our rat model of cirrhosis.

Novel drug therapy of acute hepatic failure induced in rats by a combination of tadalafil and Lepidium sativum

BACKGROUND

Hepatocyte death and a systemic inflammatory response are the outcome of a complex chain of events mediated by numerous inflammatory cells and chemical mediators. The point of this study was to find out if tadalafil and/or Lepidium sativum (L. sativum) could help people who have been exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and are experiencing acute moderate liver failure. This was especially true when the two were used together.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

To cause mild liver failure 24 h before sacrifice, a single oral dosage of CCL4 (2.5 mL/kg b.w.) (50% in olive oil) was utilized. Furthermore, immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as well as histological abnormalities were performed on liver tissue.

RESULTS

The results showed that tadalafil and/or L. sativum, especially in combination, performed well to cure acute mild liver failure caused by CCL4. This was demonstrated by a decrease in NF-κB expression in the liver tissue and an improvement in organ damage markers observed in the blood and liver tissues. Furthermore, such therapy reduced interleukin1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in the liver tissue. It's worth noting that the tested combination resulted in greater liver improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the findings, tadalafil and L. sativum, particularly in combination, have the ability to protect the liver from the negative effects of CCL4 exposure. Because of its capacity to improve liver function, restore redox equilibrium, and decrease inflammatory mediators, it is a prospective option for mitigating the negative effects of common environmental pollutants such as CCL4.

Shizao decoction for cirrhotic ascites: assessing potential targets based on network analysis combined with pharmacokinetics and metabolomics

Introduction: Shizao decoction (SZD) is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction that has therapeutic effects on cirrhotic ascites (CAS). Because of the unclear treatment mechanism, in the current study, the anti-CAS activity of SZD and molecular mechanisms were analyzed by network analysis combined with pharmacokinetics and metabolomics. Methods: Firstly, we assessed the anti-CAS efficacy of SZD by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), liver function tests, NO and ET-1 levels, and portal venous pressure. Secondly, network analysis was applied to dig out the metabolites, targets, and pathways related to SZD and CAS. Then, the pharmacokinetics of the pharmacokinetically relevant metabolites (PRM) were analyzed. Thirdly, the serum and urine metabolic biomarkers of rats with CAS were identified using metabolomics by comparing them with the SZD treatment group. In addition, MetaboAnalyst was utilized to conduct metabolic pathway analysis. Finally, the correlation analysis established a dynamic connection between absorbed PRM from SZD and CAS-associated endogenous metabolites. Results: Pharmacodynamic analysis indicated that SZD effectively mitigated liver injury symptoms by ameliorating inflammatory cell infiltration in CAS rats. The network analysis results indicated that twelve RPM contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of SZD against CAS; the key signaling pathways involved might be hepatitis B and PI3K-Akt. Pharmacokinetics results showed that the 12 RPM were efficiently absorbed into rat plasma, ensuring desirable bioavailability. The metabolomic analysis yielded 21 and 23 significantly distinct metabolites from the serum and urine, respectively. The 12 bioavailable SZD-PRM, such as luteolin, apigenin, and rutin, may be associated with various CAS-altered metabolites related to tryptophan metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycine metabolism, etc. Discussion: A novel paradigm was provided in this study to identify the potential mechanisms of pharmacological effects derived from a traditional Chinese medicine decoction.

The 3Rs in Experimental Liver Disease

Patients with cirrhosis present multiple physiological and immunological alterations that play a very important role in the development of clinically relevant secondary complications to the disease. Experimentation in animal models is essential to understand the pathogenesis of human diseases and, considering the high prevalence of liver disease worldwide, to understand the pathophysiology of disease progression and the molecular pathways involved, due to the complexity of the liver as an organ and its relationship with the rest of the organism. However, today there is a growing awareness about the sensitivity and suffering of animals, causing opposition to animal research among a minority in society and some scientists, but also about the attention to the welfare of laboratory animals since this has been built into regulations in most nations that conduct animal research. In 1959, Russell and Burch published the book "The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique", proposing that in those experiments where animals were necessary, everything possible should be done to try to replace them with non-sentient alternatives, to reduce to a minimum their number, and to refine experiments that are essential so that they caused the least amount of pain and distress. In this review, a comprehensive summary of the most widely used techniques to replace, reduce, and refine in experimental liver research is offered, to assess the advantages and weaknesses of available experimental liver disease models for researchers who are planning to perform animal studies in the near future.

A new cirrhotic animal protocol combining carbon tetrachloride with methotrexate to address limitations of the currently used chemical-induced models

Background: Chemically induced cirrhotic animal models are commonly used. However, they have limitations such as high mortalities and low yield of cirrhotic animals that limit their uses. Aims: To overcome limitations of the chemically induced cirrhotic animal model via combined administration of methotrexate (MTX) with CCl₄ and decrease their commonly used doses depending on the proposed synergetic cirrhotic effect. Methods: Rats were divided into six groups: normal (4 weeks), normal (8 weeks), MTX, CCl₄ (4 weeks), CCl₄ (8 weeks), and MTX + CCl₄ (4 weeks) groups. Animals' hepatic morphology and histopathological characterization were explored. Hepatic Bcl2 and NF-κB-p65 tissue contents were determined using the immunostaining technique, and hepatic tissue damage, oxidative status, and inflammatory status biochemical parameters were determined. Results: CCl₄ + MTX combined administration produced prominent cirrhotic liver changes, further confirmed by a substantial increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters, whereas mortalities were significantly lower than in other treated groups. Conclusion: The present study introduced a new model that can significantly improve the major limitations of chemically induced cirrhotic animal models with new pathological features that mimic human cirrhosis. Compared to other chemically induced methods, the present model can save time, cost, and animal suffering.

Preclinical Models and Promising Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies in Liver Fibrosis: An Update

Liver fibrosis represents one of the greatest challenges in medicine. The fact that it develops with the progression of numerous diseases with high prevalence (NAFLD, viral hepatitis, etc.) makes liver fibrosis an even greater global health problem. Accordingly, it has received much attention from numerous researchers who have developed various in vitro and in vivo models to better understand the mechanisms underlying fibrosis development. All these efforts led to the discovery of numerous agents with antifibrotic properties, with hepatic stellate cells and the extracellular matrix at the center of these pharmacotherapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the current data on numerous in vivo and in vitro models of liver fibrosis and on various pharmacotherapeutic targets in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Gut microbiome-brain-cirrhosis axis

Cirrhosis is characterized by inflammation, degeneration, and fibrosis of liver tissue. Along with being the most common cause of liver failure and liver transplant, cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for several neuropsychiatric conditions. The most common of these is HE, which is characterized by cognitive and ataxic symptoms, resulting from the buildup of metabolic toxins with liver failure. However, cirrhosis patients also show a significantly increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, and for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. In recent years, more attention has been played to communication between the ways the gut and liver communicate with each other and with the central nervous system, and the way these organs influence each other's function. This bidirectional communication has come to be known as the gut-liver-brain axis. The gut microbiome has emerged as a key mechanism affecting gut-liver, gut-brain, and brain-liver communication. Clinical studies and animal models have demonstrated the significant patterns of gut dysbiosis when cirrhosis is present, both with or without concomitant alcohol use disorder, and have provided compelling evidence that this dysbiosis also influences the cognitive and mood-related behaviors. In this review, we have summarized the pathophysiological and cognitive effects associated with cirrhosis, links to cirrhosis-associated disruption of the gut microbiome, and the current evidence from clinical and preclinical studies for the modulation of the gut microbiome as a treatment for cirrhosis and associated neuropsychiatric conditions.

Experimental VX2 Rabbit Liver Tumor Model in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cirrhosis of the Liver

Liver cirrhosis is a major underlying factor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, there is an unmet need for midsize experimental vertebrate models that would offer reproducible implantable liver tumors in a cirrhotic liver background. This study establishes a protocol for a syngeneic rabbit model of VX2 liver cancer with underlying liver cirrhosis induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male New Zealand white rabbits (n = 3) received CCl4 by intragastric administration once weekly. Concentrations started at 5% v/v CCl4 dissolved in olive oil. CCl4 dosing was progressively increased every week by 2.5% v/v increments for the duration of treatment (16 weeks total). VX2 tumors were then orthotopically implanted into the left hepatic lobe and allowed to grow for 3 weeks. Cross-sectional imaging confirmed the presence of hepatic tumors. Gross and histopathological evaluations showed reproducible tumor growth in the presence of liver cirrhosis in all animals.

The progress to establish optimal animal models for the study of acute-on-chronic liver failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) defines a complicated and multifaceted syndrome characterized by acute liver dysfunction following an acute insult on the basis of chronic liver diseases. It is usually concurrent with bacterial infection and multi-organ failure resulting in high short-term mortality. Based on the cohort studies in ACLF worldwide, the clinical course of ACLF was demonstrated to comprise three major stages including chronic liver injury, acute hepatic/extrahepatic insult, and systemic inflammatory response caused by over-reactive immune system especially bacterial infection. However, due to the lack of optimal experimental animal models for ACLF, the progress of basic study on ACLF is limping. Though several experimental ACLF models were established, none of them can recapitulate and simulate the whole pathological process of ACLF patients. Recently, we have developed a novel mouse model for ACLF combining chronic liver injury [injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for 8 weeks], acute hepatic insult (injection of a double dose CCl₄), and bacterial infection (intraperitoneal injection of Klebsiella pneumoniae), which could recapitulate the major clinical features of patients with ACLF worsened by bacterial infection.

Optical Biomedical Imaging Reveals Criteria for Violated Liver Regenerative Potential

To reduce the risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatic pathologies, it is necessary to develop an approach to express the intraoperative assessment of the liver's regenerative potential. Traditional clinical methods do not enable the prediction of the function of the liver remnant. Modern label-free bioimaging, using multiphoton microscopy in combination with second harmonic generation (SHG) and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), can both expand the possibilities for diagnosing liver pathologies and for assessing the regenerative potential of the liver. Using multiphoton and SHG microscopy, we assessed the structural state of liver tissue at different stages of induced steatosis and fibrosis before and after 70% partial hepatectomy in rats. Using FLIM, we also performed a detailed analysis of the metabolic state of the hepatocytes. We were able to determine criteria that can reveal a lack of regenerative potential in violated liver, such as the presence of zones with reduced NAD(P)H autofluorescence signals. Furthermore, for a liver with pathology, there was an absence of the jump in the fluorescence lifetime contributions of the bound form of NADH and NADPH the 3rd day after hepatectomy that is characteristic of normal liver regeneration. Such results are associated with decreased intensity of oxidative phosphorylation and of biosynthetic processes in pathological liver, which is the reason for the impaired liver recovery. This modern approach offers an effective tool that can be successfully translated into the clinic for express, intraoperative assessment of the regenerative potential of the pathological liver of a patient.

Model of Liver Fibrosis Induction by Thioacetamide in Rats for Regenerative Therapy Studies

Hepatic fibrosis is caused by chronic injury due to toxic, infectious, or metabolic causes, and it may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is currently no antifibrotic therapy authorized for human use; however, there are promising studies using cell therapies. There are also no animal models that exactly reproduce human liver fibrosis that can be used to better understand the mechanisms of its regression and identify new targets for treatment and therapeutic approaches. On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have experimentally demonstrated fibrosis regression effects, but it is necessary to have an animal model of advanced liver fibrosis to evaluate the effect of these cells. The aim of this work was to establish a protocol for the induction of advanced liver fibrosis in rats using thioacetamide (TAA), which will allow us to perform trials using MSC as a possible therapy for fibrosis regression. For this purpose, we selected 24 female rats and grouped them into three experimental groups: the control group (G-I) without treatment and groups II (G-II) and III (G-III) that received TAA by intraperitoneal injection for 24 weeks. Then, 1 × 106/kg adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) were infused intravenously. Groups G-I and G-II were sacrificed 7 days after the last dose of ASC, and G-III was sacrificed 8 weeks after the last ASC infusion, all with xylazine/ketamine (40 mg/kg). The protocol used in this work established a model of advanced hepatic fibrosis as corroborated by METAVIR tests of the histological lesions; by the high levels of the markers α-SMA, CD68, and collagen type I; by functional alterations due to elevated markers of the hepatic lesions; and by alterations of the leukocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets. Finally, transplanted cells in the fibrous liver were detected. We conclude that TAA applied using the protocol introduced in this study induces a good model of advanced liver fibrosis in rats.

Therapeutic Effect of Polymeric Nanomicelles Formulation of LY2157299-Galunisertib on CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a major cause of liver-related disorders and together with cancer-associated fibroblasts can favor liver cancer development by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Advanced HF, characterized by an excess of extracellular matrix (ECM), is mediated by TGF- β1, that activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and fibroblasts. A TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor, LY2157299 or Galunisertib (GLY), has shown promising results against chronic liver progression in animal models, and we show that it can be further improved by enhancing GLYs bioavailability through encapsulation in polymeric polygalacturonic-polyacrylic acid nanomicelles (GLY-NMs). GLY-NMs reduced HF in an in vivo rat model of liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ as shown by the morphological, biochemical, and molecular biology parameters of normal and fibrotic livers. Moreover, GLY-NM was able to induce recovery from HF better than free GLY. Indeed, the encapsulated drug reduces collagen deposition, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, prevents fatty degeneration and restores the correct lobular architecture of the liver as well as normalizes the serum parameters and expression of the genes involved in the onset of HF. In summary, GLY-NM improved the pharmacological activity of the free TGF- β1 inhibitor in the in vivo HF treatment and thus is a candidate as a novel therapeutic strategy.

Prospect of Animal Models for Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure: A Mini-review

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical syndrome that develops in patients with chronic liver diseases following a precipitating event and associated with a high mortality rate due to systemic multiorgan failure. Establishing a suitable and stable animal model to precisely elucidate the molecular basis of ACLF pathogenesis is essential for the development of effective early diagnostic and treatment strategies. In this context, this article provides a concise and inclusive review of breakthroughs in ACLF animal model development.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate aggravates CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis via HMGB1/TLR4/Smad signaling

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a widespread environmental pollutant and may cause a variety of adverse health effects. The hepatotoxicity of PFOS has attracted particular attention, given the fact that the liver has one of the highest PFOS accumulations among human tissues. In this study, we revealed that subchronic PFOS exposure may exacerbate carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ )-induced liver fibrosis in animal models. Administration with 1 mg/kg PFOS every other day for 56 days dramatically enhanced CCl₄ -mediated liver injury and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Furthermore, PFOS exposure may promote the activation of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway through inducing the secretion of HMGB1 from hepatocytes. PFOS exposure induced the translocation of HMGB1 from the nucleus into the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and cultured BRL-3A cells at a starting concentration of 50 μM. This process is accompanied with concurrent flux of calcium, suggesting a link between calcium signaling and HMGB1 release following PFOS exposure. Finally, we showed that PFOS-exposed conditional medium (PFOS-CM) of hepatocytes may induce the translocation of Smad2/3 in HSCs in a TLR4-dependent manner. Taken together, subchronic PFOS exposure might play a pro-fibrotic role via a HMGB1/TLR4-dependent Smad signaling in HSCs. Our findings for the first time uncovered an involvement of PFOS exposure in liver fibrosis via HMGB1/TLR4/Smad signaling.

Heterogeneous Iron Oxide/Dysprosium Oxide Nanoparticles Target Liver for Precise Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Fibrosis

Challenges remain in precisely diagnosing the progress of liver fibrosis in a noninvasive way. We here synthesized small (4 nm) heterogeneous iron oxide/dysprosium oxide nanoparticles (IO-DyO NPs) as a contrast agent (CA) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to precisely diagnose liver fibrosis in vivo at both 7.0 and 9.4 T field strength. Our IO-DyO NPs can target the liver and show an increased T₂ relaxivity along with an increase of magnetic field strength. At a ultrahigh magnetic field, IO-DyO NPs can significantly improve spatial/temporal image resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of the liver and precisely distinguish the early and moderate liver fibrosis stages. Our IO-DyO NP-based MRI diagnosis can exactly match biopsy (a gold standard for liver fibrosis diagnosis in the clinic) but avoid the invasiveness of biopsy. Moreover, our IO-DyO NPs show satisfactory biosafety in vitro and in vivo. This work illustrates an advanced T₂ CA used in ultrahigh-field MRI (UHFMRI) for the precise diagnosis of liver fibrosis via a noninvasive means.

A Novel Sprague-Dawley Rat Model Presents Improved NASH/NAFLD Symptoms with PEG Coated Vitexin Liposomes

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global threat to the human population, with manifestations resulting from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, if not treated, may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid, has been recently reported for inhibiting NAFLD. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor and activates lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In addition, owing to its antioxidant properties, it appeared as a hepatoprotective candidate. However, it exhibits low bioavailability and low efficacy due to its hydrophobic nature. A novel rat model for liver cirrhosis was developed by CCL4/Urethane co-administration. Vitexin encapsulated liposomes were synthesized by the ‘thin-film hydration’ method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was coated on liposomes to enhance stability and stealth effect. The diseased rats were then treated with vitexin and PEGylated vitexin liposomes, administered intravenously and orally. Results ascertained the liposomal encapsulation of vitexin and subsequent PEG coating to be a substantial strategy for treating liver cirrhosis through oral drug delivery.

Splenectomy ameliorates portal pressure and anemia in animal models of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

PURPOSE

Portal hypertension (PH)-associated splenomegaly is caused by portal venous congestion and splanchnic hyperemia. This can trigger hypersplenism, which favors the development of cytopenia. We investigated the time-dependent impact of splenectomy on portal pressure and blood cell counts in animal models of non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic PH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six rats underwent either partial portal vein ligation (PPVL), bile duct ligation (BDL), or sham operation (SO), with subgroups undergoing additional splenectomy. Portal pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations were evaluated throughout 5 weeks following surgery.

RESULTS

Following PPVL or BDL surgery, the animals presented a progressive rise in portal pressure, paralleled by decreased mean arterial pressure and accelerated heart rate. Splenectomy curbed the development of PH in both models (PPVL: 16.25 vs. 17.93 ​mmHg, p ​= ​0.083; BDL: 13.55 vs. 15.23 ​mmHg, p ​= ​0.028), increased mean arterial pressure (PPVL: +7%; BDL: +9%), and reduced heart rate (PPVL: -10%; BDL: -13%). Accordingly, splenectomized rats had lower von Willebrand factor plasma levels (PPVL: -22%; BDL: -25%). Splenectomy resulted in higher hemoglobin levels in PPVL (14.15 vs. 13.08 ​g/dL, p ​< ​0.001) and BDL (13.20 vs. 12.39 ​g/dL, p ​= ​0.097) animals, and significantly increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (PPVL: +9%; BDL: +15%). Thrombocytopenia only developed in the PPVL model and was alleviated in the splenectomized subgroup. Conversely, BDL rats presented with thrombocytosis, which was not affected by splenectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Splenectomy improves both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic PH, and ameliorates the hyperdynamic circulation. Hypersplenism related anemia and thrombocytopenia were only significantly improved in the non-cirrhotic PH model.

Generation and transplantation of hepatocytes-like cells using human origin hepatogenic serum for acute liver injury treatment

Liver failure is a critical disease for which regenerative therapies are still being explored. The major limitation in the use of a clinical grade, viable cell-based therapy approach is the scarce availability of sufficient number of in-vitro differentiated hepatocyte-like cells (HLC) that can induce regeneration and ameliorate liver injury. Here, we report for the first time an approach to engineer HLCs using sera of hyperbilirubin patients that act as a reservoir of differentiation factor. Utilizing our humanized approach, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) derived from umbilical cord tissue were transdifferentiated into HLC using patient-derived serum along with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). We studied the effects of serum on the proliferation, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis of hMSC by various differentiation combinations. We optimized the hepatic transdifferentiation ability of hMSC with hyperbilirubin serum treatment for a period of 7 days. Assessment of HLC functionalities was shown by quantifying the HLC spent medium for albumin and urea secretions. Transplantation of HLC in an acute liver injury (ALI) rat model showed an effective improvement in the liver function and histological changes in the liver. The results of this study suggest that hMSC-derived HLC using humanized hepatogenic serum holds a promising potential for cell transplantation, as an efficient therapy modality for liver failure in humans.

Swertia purpurascens Wall ethanolic extract mitigates hepatic fibrosis and restores hepatic hepcidin levels via inhibition of TGFβ/SMAD/NFκB signaling in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Swertia purpurascens Wall belongs to a well-known genus in traditional systems of medicine worldwide. In folklore, it is used to treat various ailments, including hepatic disorders, as an alternative to the endangered species Swertia chirayita. However, the therapeutic potential of Swertia purpurascens Wall against hepatic fibrosis has not been validated yet.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of the Swertia purpurascens Wall extract (SPE) against hepatic fibrosis and elucidate the underlying mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The metabolite profiling of the SPE was done using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The acute oral toxicity study of SPE at 2 g/kg BW dose was done in rats. Further, the liver fibrosis was induced by the CCl₄ intoxication, and the efficacy of SPE at three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW) was evaluated by studying biochemical parameters, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, western blotting and in silico analysis.

RESULTS

UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of a total of 23 compounds in SPE. Acute oral toxicity study of SPE at 2 g/kg BW showed no harmful effects in rats. Further, the liver fibrosis was induced by the CCl₄ administration, and the efficacy of SPE was evaluated at three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW). SPE treatment significantly improved the body weight gain, the relative liver weight, serum liver injury markers and endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels in the CCl₄-treated rats. SPE also recovered the altered liver histology and effectively reduced the fibrotic tissue deposition in the hepatic parenchyma. Further, SPE significantly inhibited the fibrotic (TGFβ, αSMA, SMADs and Col1A), proinflammatory markers (NFκB, TNFα and IL1β) and apoptosis in the liver tissue. Interestingly, SPE treatment also restored the altered hepcidin levels in the liver tissue. In silico study revealed the potential of various metabolites as drug candidates and their interaction with target proteins.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, SPE showed its therapeutic potential against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis by restoring the hepatic hepcidin levels and inhibiting TGFβ/SMAD/NFκB signaling in rats.

Samsum ant venom protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute spleen toxicity in vivo

Many active molecules used in the development of new drugs are produced by ants. Present study assessed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Samsum ant venom (SAV) extract in carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄)-induced spleen toxicity. Toxicity and oxidative stress were measured in four experimental groups: a negative control group without any treatment, a positive control group (CCl₄-treated rats; a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCL₄), an experimental group of CCl₄-treated rats co-treated daily with SAV (100 μl), and a group to determine safe use with rats treated only with SAV (100 μl) daily for 3 weeks. CCl₄-treatment led to an elevation in toxicity and oxidative stress. CCl₄ significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as expression of inhibitor of κB (IκB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) proteins. On the other hand, a decrease in glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels were detected in CCl₄-treated rats. Co-treatment with SAV was found to reduce these inflammatory and oxidative parameters. SAV elucidated a significant recovery of MDA concentration as well as a significant restoration in GSH levels compared to CCl₄-treated rats; however, SAV increased CAT levels compared to normal rats. Hence, SAV was found to restore splenomegaly induced in CCl₄-treated rats. Histopathological analysis also favored the biochemical analysis showing improvement in splenic architecture in CCl₄ and SAV co-treated rats. The antioxidant properties of SAV may potentially enhance anti-inflammatory actions and improve spleen structure and function in CCl₄-challenged rats.

Microscope-Based Automated Quantification of Liver Fibrosis in Mice Using a Deep Learning Algorithm

In preclinical studies that involve animal models for hepatic fibrosis, accurate quantification of the fibrosis is of utmost importance. The use of digital image analysis based on deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can facilitate accurate evaluation of liver fibrosis in these models. In the present study, we compared the quantitative evaluation of collagen proportionate area in the carbon tetrachloride model of liver fibrosis in the mouse by a newly developed AI algorithm to the semiquantitative assessment of liver fibrosis performed by a board-certified toxicologic pathologist. We found an excellent correlation between the 2 methods of assessment, most evident in the higher magnification (×40) as compared to the lower magnification (×10). These findings strengthen the confidence of using digital tools in the toxicologic pathology field as an adjunct to an expert toxicologic pathologist.

Vitamin E pretreated Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate CCl4-induced hepatocyte injury in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo

Oxidative microenvironment in fibrotic liver alleviates the efficacious outcome of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based cell therapy. Recent evidence suggests that pharmacological pretreatment is a rational approach to harness the MSCs with higher therapeutic potential. Here, we investigated whether Vitamin E pretreatment can boost the antifibrotic effects of Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJMSCs). We used rat liver-derived hepatocytes injured by CCl₄ treatment in co-culture system with Vitamin E pretreated-WJMSCs (Vit E-WJMSCs) to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Vit E-WJMSCs. After 24 h of co-culturing, we found that Vit E-WJMSCs rescued injured hepatocytes as hepatocyte injury-associated medium (AST, ALT, and ALP) and mRNA (Cyp2e1, Hif1-α, and Il-1β) markers reduced to normal levels. Subsequently, CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis rat models were employed to examine the antifibrotic potential of Vit E-WJMSCs. After 1 month of cell transplantation, it was revealed that Vit E-WJMSCs transplantation ceased fibrotic progression, as evident by improved hepatic architecture and functions, more significantly in comparison to naïve WJMSCs. In addition, Vit E-WJMSCs transplantation decreased the expressions of fibrosis-associated gene (Tgf-β1, α-Sma, and Col1α1) markers in the liver parenchyma. Intriguingly, the results of tracing experiments discovered that more WJMSCs engrafted in the Vit E-WJMSCs treated rat livers compared to naïve WJMSCs treated livers. These findings implicate that pretreatment of WJMSCs with Vitamin E improves their tolerance to hostile niche of fibrotic liver; thereby further enhancing their efficacy for hepatic fibrosis.

Hawthorn Herbal Preparation from Crataegus oxyacantha Attenuates In Vivo Carbon Tetrachloride -Induced Hepatic Fibrosis via Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Hawthorn (HAW) is a herbal preparation extracted from Crataegus oxyacantha. HAW has cardioprotective, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypotensive effects. HAW’s effect on hepatic fibrosis remains, however, unknown. This study evaluated the impact of HAW on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and elucidated its mechanisms. HAW reduced liver index and the serum liver enzyme markers and reduced liver damage, and fibrosis as confirmed by histopathological scoring of hematoxylin-eosin staining. Collagen deposition was reduced in HAW group compared to CCl4 group as confirmed by Masson staining, hydroxyproline content, and both mRNA and protein levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen 1 and 3. HAW also down regulated the gene expressions of inflammatory markers including interleukin-IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β 1, nuclear factor kappa-B, and cyclooxygenase-2 and decreased the myeloperoxidase activity. The effects of HAW was also associated with decreased levels of hepatic oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and P.Carbonyl) and with increased activity of superoxide dismutase. Those effects are possibly mediated by blocking the pro-oxidant machinery and down regulating the inflammatory and profibrotic responses. Finally, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, rutin, vitexin quercetin, and iso quercetin were identified as the major species of polyphenols of the HAW herbal preparation used here. Therefore, HAW’s potent protecting effects against liver fibrosis predicts a significant beneficial application.

Mesenchymal stem cell-based Smad7 gene therapy for experimental liver cirrhosis

Background

Bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can promote liver regeneration and inhibit inflammation and hepatic fibrosis. MSCs also can serve as a vehicle for gene therapy. Smad7 is an essential negative regulatory gene in the TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway. Activation of TGF-β1/Smad signalling accelerates liver inflammation and fibrosis; we therefore hypothesized that MSCs overexpressing the Smad7 gene might be a new cell therapy approach for treating liver fibrosis via the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad signalling.

Methods

MSCs were isolated from 6-week-old Wistar rats and transduced with the Smad7 gene using a lentivirus vector. Liver cirrhosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for 8 weeks. The rats with established liver cirrhosis were treated with Smad7-MSCs by direct injection of cells into the main lobes of the liver. The expression of Smad7, Smad2/3 and fibrosis biomarkers or extracellular matrix proteins and histopathological change were assessed by quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting and staining.

Results

The mRNA and protein level of Smad7 in the recipient liver and serum were increased after treating with Smad-MSCs for 7 and 21 days (P < 0.001). The serum levels of collagen I and III and collagenase I and III were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced after the treatment with Smad7-MSCs. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1, TGFBR1, α-SMA, TIMP-1, laminin and hyaluronic acid were decreased (P < 0.001), while MMP-1 increased (P < 0.001). The liver fibrosis score and liver function were significantly alleviated after the cell therapy.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the MSC therapy with Smad7-MSCs is effective in the treatment of liver fibrosis in the CCl₄-induced liver cirrhosis model. Inhibition of TGF-β1 signalling pathway by enhancement of Smad-7 expression could be a feasible cell therapy approach to mitigate liver cirrhosis.

Chemical composition, nutritional profile and in vivo antioxidant properties of the cultivated mushroom Coprinus comatus

This study investigated the chemical and nutritional profile and antioxidative properties of cultivated Coprinus comatus. Proximate analysis revealed that C. comatus is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fibres and proteins, and could also be a valuable source of phenolics. Additionally, fat content is low, consisting mainly of polyunsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, the safety profile of C. comatus is satisfactory, with all elements of toxicological importance within the proposed limits. Oral treatment with C. comatus for 42 days improved the antioxidant capabilities and ameliorated carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats, marked by decreased serum aminotransferase levels and lipid peroxidation intensity. Glutathione concentrations increased in a dose-dependent manner. Histological morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed antioxidative and hepatoprotective potential. These findings imply that cultivated C. comatus could be considered a nutraceutical, having beneficial nutrient and therapeutic properties.

Animal models for liver disease - A practical approach for translational research

Animal models are crucial for improving our understanding of human pathogenesis, enabling researchers to identify therapeutic targets and test novel drugs. In the current review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the most widely used experimental models of chronic liver disease, starting from early stages of fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) to steatohepatitis, advanced cirrhosis and end-stage primary liver cancer. We focus on aspects such as reproducibility and practicality, discussing the advantages and weaknesses of available models for researchers who are planning to perform animal studies in the near future. Additionally, we summarise current and prospective models based on human tissue bioengineering.

Crocin attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via PPAR-γ mediated modulation of inflammation and fibrogenesis in rats

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis is a chronic pathological condition with a leading cause of liver-related mortality worldwide. In the present study, we have evaluated the antifibrotic effect of crocin, a carotenoid present in the stigma of Crocus sativus, and also explored its putative mechanism of action.

METHODS

Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 30% carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). The crocin was administered orally at 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight along with CCl₄ up to 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Chronic exposure to CCl₄ resulted in elevated levels of liver enzymes and reduced cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity in the liver. The liver tissue showed cellular swelling, vacuolization, necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrotic changes. The crocin treatment significantly lowered the levels of liver enzymes in serum and improved the liver CYP2E1 mRNA levels. The pathological changes in the liver were also lowered by crocin treatment. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α and fibrogenic factor, transforming growth factor β, and α-smooth muscle actin were elevated by the CCl₄ in the liver tissue. However, crocin treatment at different doses significantly reduced the expression of these factors. The increased caspase 3/7 activity was also lowered by crocin. CCl₄ administration decreased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in liver tissue. The improved PPAR-γ expression in the liver by crocin treatment indicates its role in the therapeutic effect of crocin.

CONCLUSIONS

Crocin attenuated the various events in the progression of liver fibrosis via PPAR-γ mediated modulation of inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways.

Preclinical insights into the gut-skeletal muscle axis in chronic gastrointestinal diseases

Muscle wasting represents a constant pathological feature of common chronic gastrointestinal diseases, including liver cirrhosis (LC), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer (PC), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recent clinical and experimental studies point to the existence of a gut‐skeletal muscle axis that is constituted by specific gut‐derived mediators which activate pro‐ and anti‐sarcopenic signalling pathways in skeletal muscle cells. A pathophysiological link between both organs is also provided by low‐grade systemic inflammation. Animal models of LC, IBD, CP and PC represent an important resource for mechanistic and preclinical studies on disease‐associated muscle wasting. They are also required to test and validate specific anti‐sarcopenic therapies prior to clinical application. In this article, we review frequently used rodent models of muscle wasting in the context of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, survey their specific advantages and limitations and discuss possibilities for further research activities in the field. We conclude that animal models of LC‐, IBD‐ and PC‐associated sarcopenia are an essential supplement to clinical studies because they may provide additional mechanistic insights and help to identify molecular targets for therapeutic interventions in humans.

Hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of Ixeris denticulate water extract on liver cirrhosis in experimental rat

BACKGROUND

To explore the protective effect and mechanisms of Ixeris denticulate water extract (IDWE) in the development of liver cirrhosis in experimental rat.

METHODS

Sixty rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group and IDWE (2, 4 and 8 g/kg) treatment groups. Alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue were evaluated, respectively. The liver index, liver morphology and liver histopathological analysis were detected as a supportive data. The liver protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by western blot, and NF-κB p65 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry analysis.

RESULTS

The result showed that a significantly decrease in the levels of serum AST, ALT and serum inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in IDWE-treated rats. The levels of serum ALB and SOD in liver tissue were markedly increased after IDWE treated, compared with model rats. Furthermore, IDWE-treated group also exhibited a down-regulated protein expression of NF-κB p65 and Bax, up-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

IDWE could effectively alleviate the course of liver cirrhosis in rat model, which may be a potent hepatoprotective agent in clinical therapy in the future.

β-Sitosterol attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and chronic liver injury in rats

Chronic liver diseases are clinically silent and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. β-Sitosterol (BSS), major phytosterol in plants, has a wide spectrum of protective effect against various chronic ailments. We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of BSS against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced chronic liver injury in rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups, with six animals in each group. Group I rats served as control while groups II, III, IV, and V rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl₄ (0.2 mL/100 g b.w. in olive oil (1:1)) for 7 consecutive weeks. After 7 weeks, group II rats were left without any treatments and served as CCl₄ alone group, while groups III, IV, and V rats were treated with BSS 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. and silymarin 100 mg/kg b.w. as oral post-treatments respectively, for the next 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, hepatotoxicity marker enzymes in serum, oxidative stress, and fibrosis marker were analyzed. CCl₄ administration caused significant elevation of marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity in serum and increased lipid peroxidation and fibrosis markers such as hydroxyproline, collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, desmin, and matrix metalloproteinases 9 in liver tissue of rats. This treatment also caused a significant diminution of intracellular enyzmic antioxidants such as SOD and CAT in the liver tissue of rats. All the above adversities were significantly mitigated by the BSS post-treatments. The results suggest that BSS could have a hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-mediated CLD induced by CCl₄.

Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract Mildly Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats by Suppressing Inflammation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a hot-water extract of defatted Camellia oleifera seeds (CSE) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ )-induced liver damage in rats. Wistar rats were separated into four groups including the normal (N) and CCl₄ control (C) groups, which are fed a control diet, and the CCL (low-dose CSE) and CCH (high-dose CSE) groups, which are fed with a control diet plus different amount of CSE for an 8-week experimental period. Liver injury in the C, CCL, and CCH groups was induced by injecting CCl₄ (i.p.) twice a week from the 5th week to the end of the study. In CCl₄ -treated rats, the alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration significantly increased compared to the normal group. Lower antioxidative enzyme activities and higher proinflammatory cytokines, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and hydroxyproline concentrations in the liver were also found in the CCl₄ -treated group compared to the normal group. In contrast, the administration of CSE alleviated the biochemical and histopathological changes including inflammation, liver cell damage, and fibrosis caused by CCl₄ in rats. Our results indicated that CSE exhibited hepatoprotective effects in CCl₄ -induced liver hepatotoxicity through alleviating hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Camellia oleifera are widely used for edible oil production while the defatted seeds pomace is often discarded. We found that extract of C. oleifera pomace containing phenolic compounds, saponins, and polysaccharides showed protective effects chemical-driven liver damage and, therefore, may be used in further studies and developing functional foods.

Liver fibrosis affects the targeting properties of drug delivery systems to macrophage subsets in vivo

Myeloid immune cells promote inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Drug delivery systems, such as polymers, liposomes and microbubbles, efficiently target myeloid cells in healthy liver, but their targeting properties in hepatic fibrosis remain elusive. We therefore studied the biodistribution of three intravenously injected carrier material, i.e. 10 nm poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) polymers, 100 nm PEGylated liposomes and 2000 nm poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) microbubbles, in two fibrosis models in immunocompetent mice. While whole-body imaging confirmed preferential hepatic uptake even after induction of liver fibrosis, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis revealed markedly decreased carrier uptake by liver macrophage subsets in fibrosis, particularly for microbubbles and polymers. Importantly, carrier uptake co-localized with immune infiltrates in fibrotic livers, corroborating the intrinsic ability of the carriers to target myeloid cells in areas of inflammation. Of the tested carrier systems liposomes had the highest uptake efficiency among hepatic myeloid cells, but the lowest specificity for cellular subsets. Hepatic fibrosis affected carrier uptake in liver and partially in spleen, but not in other tissues (blood, bone marrow, lung, kidney). In conclusion, while drug carrier systems target distinct myeloid cell populations in diseased and healthy livers, hepatic fibrosis profoundly affects their targeting efficiency, supporting the need to adapt nanomedicine-based approaches in chronic liver disease.

Vitronectins produced by human cirrhotic liver and CCl4-treated rats differ in their glycosylation pattern and tissue remodeling activity

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a disease characterized by pathological accumulation and alteration of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; the interaction between two such proteins, collagen and vitronectin (VN), is considered to be the key to controlling ECM remodeling in liver cirrhosis. If it is possible to control the modification of oligosaccharides on VN, it may be possible to retard progression of liver cirrhosis. In this study, we examined the relationship between changes in VN glycosylation and activity related to the remodeling of hepatic tissue in human LC and a rat model of LC generated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Plasma concentrations of VN in human LC declined to approximately two‐thirds that in normal plasma, but the ratio of active VN, which has collagen‐binding activities, increased 2.8 times in LC plasma. In contrast, purified LC‐VN exhibited similar binding activities toward type I, IV, and V collagens to those of normal VN. Lectin reactivities and carbohydrate analyses of LC‐VN revealed that branching, fucosylation, and sialylation of N‐glycans were higher than those of normal VN. On the other hand, the plasma level of rat CCl₄‐VN increased and the ratio of active molecules to collagen in plasma decreased. Increased fucosylation of LC‐VN was not detected in carbohydrates of CCl₄‐VN. The changes in rat VN due to CCl₄ treatment did not correspond to the changes in plasma levels of human VN caused by LC, the ratio of active molecules, or carbohydrate composition, thereby indicating that CCl₄‐treated rats are not an appropriate model for studying VNs in human LC. Glycosidase treatment of VNs supported the hypothesis that the collagen‐binding activity of VN is modulated by alterations of glycosylation during LC, which may contribute to (a) the matrix incorporation of VN and (b) tissue fibrosis.