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Chen ZY, Panga MJ, Zhang X, Qiao S, Chen S, Appiah C, Zhao Y. Estrogen alleviates liver fibrosis and restores metabolic homeostasis in ovariectomy-induced liver injury and carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) exposure. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176774. [PMID: 38936452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
AIM Given estrogen's recognized regulatory influence on diverse metabolic and immune functions, this study sought to explore its potential impact on fibrosis and elucidate the underlying metabolic regulations. METHODS Female mice underwent ovary removal surgery, followed by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration to induce liver injury. Biochemical index analysis and histopathological examination were then conducted. The expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and collagen type 1 alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) were assessed using western blotting to further elucidate the extent of liver injury. Finally, metabolite extraction and metabolomic analysis were performed to evaluate metabolic changes. RESULTS Ovary removal exacerbated CCl4-induced liver damage, while estrogen supplementation provided protection against hepatic changes resulting from OVX. Furthermore, estrogen mitigated liver injury induced by CCl4 treatment in vivo. Estrogen supplementation significantly restored liver damage induced by OVX and CCl4. Comparative analysis revealed significant alterations in pathways including aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, lysine degradation, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism in estrogen treatment. CONCLUSION Estrogen supplementation alleviates liver injury induced by OVX and CCl4, highlighting its protective effects against fibrosis and associated metabolic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Yi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Mogellah John Panga
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Xiangrui Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Shuai Qiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Shitian Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Clara Appiah
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Ye Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
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2
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Mercado-Gómez M, Goikoetxea-Usandizaga N, Kerbert AJC, Gracianteparaluceta LU, Serrano-Maciá M, Lachiondo-Ortega S, Rodriguez-Agudo R, Gil-Pitarch C, Simón J, González-Recio I, Fondevila MF, Santamarina-Ojeda P, Fraga MF, Nogueiras R, Heras JDL, Jalan R, Martínez-Chantar ML, Delgado TC. The lipopolysaccharide-TLR4 axis regulates hepatic glutaminase 1 expression promoting liver ammonia build-up as steatotic liver disease progresses to steatohepatitis. Metabolism 2024; 158:155952. [PMID: 38906371 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ammonia is a pathogenic factor implicated in the progression of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The contribution of the glutaminase 1 (GLS) isoform, an enzyme converting glutamine to glutamate and ammonia, to hepatic ammonia build-up and the mechanisms underlying its upregulation in metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) remain elusive. METHODS Multiplex transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics analysis of liver biopsies in dietary mouse models representing the whole spectra of MASLD were carried out to characterize the relevance of hepatic GLS during disease pathological progression. In addition, the acute effect of liver-specific GLS inhibition in hepatic ammonia content was evaluated in cultured hepatocytes and in in vivo mouse models of diet-induced MASLD. Finally, the regulatory mechanisms of hepatic GLS overexpression related to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) axis were explored in the context of MASH. RESULTS In mouse models of diet-induced MASLD, we found that augmented liver GLS expression is closely associated with the build-up of hepatic ammonia as the disease progresses from steatosis to steatohepatitis. Importantly, the acute silencing/pharmacological inhibition of GLS diminishes the ammonia burden in cultured primary mouse hepatocytes undergoing dedifferentiation, in steatotic hepatocytes, and in a mouse model of diet-induced steatohepatitis, irrespective of changes in ureagenesis and gut permeability. Under these conditions, GLS upregulation in the liver correlates positively with the hepatic expression of TLR4 that recognizes LPS. In agreement, the pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 reduces GLS and hepatic ammonia content in LPS-stimulated mouse hepatocytes and hyperammonemia animal models of endotoxemia. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results suggest that the LPS/TLR4 axis regulates hepatic GLS expression promoting liver ammonia build-up as steatotic liver disease progresses to steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mercado-Gómez
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Annarein J C Kerbert
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marina Serrano-Maciá
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Rubén Rodriguez-Agudo
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Clàudia Gil-Pitarch
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jorge Simón
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene González-Recio
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Marcos F Fondevila
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pablo Santamarina-Ojeda
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940 El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940 El Entrego, Asturias, Spain; Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Rubén Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Galician Agency of Innovation (GAIN), Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Javier de Las Heras
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; Division of Paediatric Metabolism, CIBERER, MetabERN, Cruces University Hospital, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain.; Department of Paediatrics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - María Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Teresa C Delgado
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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3
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Lu H. Inflammatory liver diseases and susceptibility to sepsis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:435-487. [PMID: 38571396 DOI: 10.1042/cs20230522] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Patients with inflammatory liver diseases, particularly alcohol-associated liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), have higher incidence of infections and mortality rate due to sepsis. The current focus in the development of drugs for MAFLD is the resolution of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and prevention of progression to cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis, sepsis is a major cause of death. As the metabolic center and a key immune tissue, liver is the guardian, modifier, and target of sepsis. Septic patients with liver dysfunction have the highest mortality rate compared with other organ dysfunctions. In addition to maintaining metabolic homeostasis, the liver produces and secretes hepatokines and acute phase proteins (APPs) essential in tissue protection, immunomodulation, and coagulation. Inflammatory liver diseases cause profound metabolic disorder and impairment of energy metabolism, liver regeneration, and production/secretion of APPs and hepatokines. Herein, the author reviews the roles of (1) disorders in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids, ketone bodies, and amino acids as well as the clearance of ammonia and lactate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory liver diseases and sepsis; (2) cytokines/chemokines in inflammatory liver diseases and sepsis; (3) APPs and hepatokines in the protection against tissue injury and infections; and (4) major nuclear receptors/signaling pathways underlying the metabolic disorders and tissue injuries as well as the major drug targets for inflammatory liver diseases and sepsis. Approaches that focus on the liver dysfunction and regeneration will not only treat inflammatory liver diseases but also prevent the development of severe infections and sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, U.S.A
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4
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Gupta AC, Bhat A, Maras JS. Early hepatic proteomic signatures reveal metabolic changes in high-fat-induced obesity in rats. Br J Nutr 2024; 131:773-785. [PMID: 37886840 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114523002453] [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] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of diet-related obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide, making it important to understand the associated metabolic alterations in the liver. It is well known that obesity is a multifactorial condition that is the result of complex integration between many gene expressions and dietary factors. Obesity alone or in conjunction with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and insulin resistance causes many health problems and is considered a major risk factor for developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. In this study, we aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying early hepatic changes in the pathophysiology of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced abdominal obesity in rats. Hepatic protein profiles of normal diet and HFD-induced obesity for 24 weeks were analysed using two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and protein identification by MS. Fifty-two proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF), and computer-assisted DIGE image software analysis showed that eighteen major proteins were significantly differentially expressed between comparable groups, with 2·0–4·0-fold change/more (P < 0·01). These proteins are regulated in response to a HFD, and differentially expressed proteins are involved in key metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, detoxification, urea cycle and hepatic Ca homoeostasis. In addition, Western blot and immunohistochemistry of liver-specific arginase-1 (Arg-1) showed significant increased expression in the liver of high-fat-fed rats (P < 0·01). Further, Arg-1 expression was correlated with NASH patients with obesity-related fibrosis (F0–F4). It is concluded that high-fat content may affect changes in liver pathways and may be a therapeutic target for obesity-related liver disease. Arg-1 expressions may be a potential pathological marker for assessing the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishak C Gupta
- Department of Education and Research, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, Haryana, India
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (MCM), Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, India
| | - Adil Bhat
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (MCM), Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, India
| | - Jaswinder S Maras
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (MCM), Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, India
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5
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Fuster-Martínez I, Català-Senent JF, Hidalgo MR, Roig FJ, Esplugues JV, Apostolova N, García-García F, Blas-García A. Integrated transcriptomic landscape of the effect of anti-steatotic treatments in high-fat diet mouse models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Pathol 2024; 262:377-389. [PMID: 38180387 DOI: 10.1002/path.6242] [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: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) mouse models are widely used in research to develop medications to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as they mimic the steatosis, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis typically found in this complex human disease. The aims of this study were to identify a complete transcriptomic signature of these mouse models and to characterize the transcriptional impact exerted by different experimental anti-steatotic treatments. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of liver transcriptomic studies performed in HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice, comparing them with control mice and HFD-fed mice receiving potential anti-steatotic treatments. Analyzing 21 studies broaching 24 different treatments, we obtained a robust HFD transcriptomic signature that included 2,670 differentially expressed genes and 2,567 modified gene ontology biological processes. Treated HFD mice generally showed a reversion of this HFD signature, although the extent varied depending on the treatment. The biological processes most frequently reversed were those related to lipid metabolism, response to stress, and immune system, whereas processes related to nitrogen compound metabolism were generally not reversed. When comparing this HFD signature with a signature of human NAFLD progression, we identified 62 genes that were common to both; 10 belonged to the group that were reversed by treatments. Altered expression of most of these 10 genes was confirmed in vitro in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells exposed to a lipotoxic or a profibrogenic stimulus, respectively. In conclusion, this study provides a vast amount of information about transcriptomic changes induced during the progression and regression of NAFLD and identifies some relevant targets. Our results may help in the assessment of treatment efficacy, the discovery of unmet therapeutic targets, and the search for novel biomarkers. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fuster-Martínez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- FISABIO (Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana), Valencia, Spain
| | - José F Català-Senent
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta R Hidalgo
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco J Roig
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan V Esplugues
- Departamento de Farmacología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- FISABIO (Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana), Valencia, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadezda Apostolova
- Departamento de Farmacología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- FISABIO (Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana), Valencia, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ana Blas-García
- FISABIO (Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana), Valencia, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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6
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Lu H, Fan L, Zhang W, Chen G, Xiang A, Wang L, Lu Z, Zhai Y. The mitochondrial genome-encoded peptide MOTS-c interacts with Bcl-2 to alleviate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113587. [PMID: 38206815 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113587] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a metabolism-associated fatty liver disease with accumulated mitochondrial stress, and targeting mitochondrial function is a potential therapy. The mitochondrial genome-encoded bioactive peptide MOTS-c plays broad physiological roles, but its effectiveness and direct targets in NASH treatment are still unclear. Here, we show that long-term preventive and short-term therapeutic effects of MOTS-c treatments alleviate NASH-diet-induced liver steatosis, cellular apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Mitochondrial oxidative capacity and metabolites profiling analysis show that MOTS-c significantly reverses NASH-induced mitochondrial metabolic deficiency. Moreover, we identify that MOTS-c directly interacts with the BH3 domain of antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), increases Bcl-2 protein stability, and suppresses Bcl-2 ubiquitination. By using a Bcl-2 inhibitor or adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Bcl-2 knockdown, we further confirm that MOTS-c improves NASH-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis, which are dependent on Bcl-2 function. Therefore, our findings show that MOTS-c is a potential therapeutic agent to inhibit the progression of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanyu Lu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Linni Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Translational Medicine Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China; The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Translational Medicine Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - An Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zifan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biopharmaceutics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Translational Medicine Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China.
| | - Yue Zhai
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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7
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Cholico GN, Fling RR, Sink WJ, Nault R, Zacharewski T. Inhibition of the urea cycle by the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin increases serum ammonia levels in mice. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105500. [PMID: 38013089 PMCID: PMC10731612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105500] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor known for mediating the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds. TCDD induces nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-like pathologies including simple steatosis that can progress to steatohepatitis with fibrosis and bile duct proliferation in male mice. Dose-dependent progression of steatosis to steatohepatitis with fibrosis by TCDD has been associated with metabolic reprogramming, including the disruption of amino acid metabolism. Here, we used targeted metabolomic analysis to reveal dose-dependent changes in the level of ten serum and eleven hepatic amino acids in mice upon treatment with TCDD. Bulk RNA-seq and protein analysis showed TCDD repressed CPS1, OTS, ASS1, ASL, and GLUL, all of which are associated with the urea cycle and glutamine biosynthesis. Urea and glutamine are end products of the detoxification and excretion of ammonia, a toxic byproduct of amino acid catabolism. Furthermore, we found that the catalytic activity of OTC, a rate-limiting step in the urea cycle was also dose dependently repressed. These results are consistent with an increase in circulating ammonia. Collectively, the repression of the urea and glutamate-glutamine cycles increased circulating ammonia levels and the toxicity of TCDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovan N Cholico
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Russell R Fling
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Warren J Sink
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Rance Nault
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Tim Zacharewski
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
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8
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Ampawong S, Tirawanchai N, Kanjanapruthipong T, Fongsodsri K, Tuentam K, Isarangkul D, Aramwit P. Sericin enhances ammonia detoxification by promotes urea cycle enzyme genes and activates hepatic autophagy in relation to CARD-9/MAPK pathway. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21563. [PMID: 38027599 PMCID: PMC10654145 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Urea cycle is an important metabolic process that initiates in liver mitochondria and converts ammonia to urea. The impairment of ammonia detoxification, both primary and secondary causes, lead to hyperammonemia, a life-threatening condition affecting to the brain. Current treatments are not enough effective. In addition, our recent proteomics study in hypercholesterolemic rat model demonstrated that sericin enhances hepatic nitrogenous waste removal through carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS-1), aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2), and uricase proteins. However, the underlining mechanisms regard to this property is not clarified yet. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the effect of sericin on urea cycle enzyme genes (CPS-1 and ornithine transcarbamylase; OTC) and proteins (mitogen-activated protein kinase; MAPK, caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9; CARD-9, Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3; LC-3), which relate to urea production and liver homeostasis in hepatic cell line (HepG2) and hypercholesterolemic rat treated with or without sericin. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy techniques were performed. In vitro study determined that high dose of sericin at 1 mg/ml increased liver detoxification enzyme (Cytochrome P450 1A2; CYP1A2 and ALDH-2) and urea cycle enzyme (CPS-1 and OTC) genes. Both in HepG2 cell and rat liver mitochondria, sericin significantly downregulated CARD-9 (apoptotic protein) expression while upregulated MAPK (hepatic homeostasis protein) and LC-3 (autophagic protein) expressions. Hence, it might be concluded that sericin promotes ammonia detoxification by both increases urea cycle enzyme genes and enhances hepatic autophagy in associated with CARD-9/MAPK pathway (as shown by their own negative relationship). This study presents another beneficial property of sericin to develop an upcoming candidate for ammonia toxicity alleviation and liver function improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumate Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Napatara Tirawanchai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Tapanee Kanjanapruthipong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Kamonpan Fongsodsri
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Khwanchanok Tuentam
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Duangnate Isarangkul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272, Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pornanong Aramwit
- Center of Excellence in Bioactive Resources for Innovative Clinical Applications and Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, PhayaThai Road, Phatumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- The Academy Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Dusit, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
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9
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Arora M, Pavlíková Z, Kučera T, Kozlík P, Šopin T, Vacík T, Ľupták M, Duda M, Slanař O, Kutinová Canová N. Pharmacological effects of mTORC1/C2 inhibitor in a preclinical model of NASH progression. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115447. [PMID: 37683589 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the benefits of mTOR inhibition concerning adipogenesis and inflammation has recently encouraged the investigation of a new generation of mTOR inhibitors for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated whether treatment with a specific mTORC1/C2 inhibitor (Ku-0063794; KU) exerted any beneficial impacts on experimentally-induced NASH in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that KU decreases palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in cultivated primary hepatocytes, thus emerging as a successful candidate for testing in an in vivo NASH dietary model, which adopted the intraperitoneal KU dosing route rather than oral application due to its significantly greater bioavailability in mice. The pharmacodynamics experiments commenced with the feeding of male C57BL/6 mice with a high-fat atherogenic western-type diet (WD) for differing intervals over several weeks aimed at inducing various phases of NASH. In addition to the WD, the mice were treated with KU for 3 weeks or 4 months. Acute and chronic KU treatments were observed to be safe at the given concentrations with no toxicity indications in the mice. KU was found to alleviate NASH-related hepatotoxicity, mitochondrial and oxidative stress, and decrease the liver triglyceride content and TNF-α mRNA in at least one set of in vivo experiments. The KU modulated liver expression of selected metabolic and oxidative stress-related genes depended upon the length and severity of the disease. Although KU failed to completely reverse the histological progression of NASH in the mice, we demonstrated the complexity of mTORC1/C2 signaling regulation and suggest a stratified therapeutic management approach throughout the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahak Arora
- Institute of Pharmacology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Pavlíková
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Kučera
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kozlík
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tijana Šopin
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Vacík
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Ľupták
- Institute of Pharmacology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matthias Duda
- Institute of Pharmacology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Slanař
- Institute of Pharmacology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nikolina Kutinová Canová
- Institute of Pharmacology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
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10
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Li P, Kuo N, Patel R, Omary MB. Hypoosmosis alters hepatocyte mitochondrial morphology and induces selective release of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G334-G346. [PMID: 37489865 PMCID: PMC10642991 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00018.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) is the most abundant hepatocyte mitochondrial matrix protein. Hypoosmotic stress increases CPS1 release in isolated mouse hepatocytes without cell death. We hypothesized that increased CPS1 release during hypoosmosis is selective and associates with altered mitochondrial morphology. Both ex vivo and in vivo models were assessed. Mouse hepatocytes and livers were challenged with isotonic or hypoosmotic (35 mosM) buffer. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with water (10% body weight) with or without an antidiuretic. Mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions were isolated using differential centrifugation, then analyzed by immunoblotting to assess subcellular redistribution of four mitochondrial proteins: CPS1, ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), and cytochrome c. Mitochondrial morphology alterations were examined using electron microscopy. Hypoosmotic treatment of whole livers or hepatocytes led to preferential or increased mitochondrial release, respectively, of CPS1 as compared with two mitochondrial matrix proteins (OTC/PYCR1) and with the intermembrane space protein, cytochrome c. Mitochondrial apoptosis-induced channel opening using staurosporine in hepatocytes led to preferential CPS1 and cytochrome c release. The CPS1-selective changes were accompanied by dramatic alterations in ultrastructural mitochondrial morphology. In mice, hypoosmosis/hyponatremia led to increased liver vascular congestion and increased CPS1 in bile but not blood, coupled with mitochondrial structural alterations. In contrast, isotonic increase of intravascular volume led to a decrease in mitochondrial size with limited change in bile CPS1 compared with hypoosmotic conditions and absence of the hypoosmosis-associated histological alterations. Taken together, hepatocyte CPS1 is selectively released in response to hypoosmosis/hyponatremia and provides a unique biomarker of mitochondrial injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exposure of isolated mouse livers, primary cultured hepatocytes, or mice to hypoosmosis/hyponatremia conditions induces significant mitochondrial shape alterations accompanied by preferential release of the mitochondrial matrix protein CPS1, a urea cycle enzyme. In contrast, the intermembrane space protein, cytochrome c, and two other matrix proteins, including the urea cycle enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase, remain preferentially retained in mitochondria. Therefore, hepatocyte CPS1 manifests unique mitochondrial stress response compartmentalization and is a sensitive sensor of mitochondrial hypoosmotic/hyponatremic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Li
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
| | - Ning Kuo
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
| | - Rajesh Patel
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
- Department of Pathology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
| | - M Bishr Omary
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
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11
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Yang K, Wang Q, Novoselov KS, Andreeva DV. A nanofluidic sensing platform based on robust and flexible graphene oxide/chitosan nanochannel membranes for glucose and urea detection. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2023; 8:1243-1252. [PMID: 37461370 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00203a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
We present the development of a health-monitoring nanofluidic membrane utilizing biocompatible and biodegradable graphene oxide, chitosan, and graphene quantum dots. The nanoconfinement provided by graphene oxide nanolayers encapsulates chitosan molecules, allowing for their conformational changes and switchable hydrophobic-hydrophilic behavior in response to pH variations. This low-dimensional membrane operates as an array of nanofluidic channels that can release quantum dots upon pH change. The photoluminescence emission from quantum dots enables rapid and reliable optical visualization of pH changes, facilitating efficient human health monitoring. To ensure fouling prevention and enable multiple usages, we adopt a design approach that avoids direct contact between biomarkers and the nanochannels. This design strategy, coupled with good mechanical properties (Young's modulus of 5.5 ± 0.7 GPa), preserves the integrity and functionality of the sensors for repeated sensing cycles. Furthermore, leveraging the memory effect, our sensors can be reloaded with graphene quantum dots multiple times without significant loss of selectivity, achieving reusability. The wide-ranging capabilities of 2D materials and stimuli-responsive polymers empower our sustainable approach to designing low-dimensional, robust, and flexible sensing materials. This approach allows for the integration of various biorecognition elements and signal transduction modes, expanding the versatility and applications of the designed materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kou Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of Singapore, 117544, Singapore
| | - Qinyue Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kostya S Novoselov
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of Singapore, 117544, Singapore
| | - Daria V Andreeva
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of Singapore, 117544, Singapore
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12
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Horakova O, Sistilli G, Kalendova V, Bardova K, Mitrovic M, Cajka T, Irodenko I, Janovska P, Lackner K, Kopecky J, Rossmeisl M. Thermoneutral housing promotes hepatic steatosis in standard diet-fed C57BL/6N mice, with a less pronounced effect on NAFLD progression upon high-fat feeding. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1205703. [PMID: 37501785 PMCID: PMC10369058 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1205703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to more severe stages, such as steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Thermoneutral housing together with high-fat diet promoted NAFLD progression in C57BL/6J mice. Due to possible differences in steatohepatitis development between different C57BL/6 substrains, we examined how thermoneutrality affects NAFLD progression in C57BL/6N mice. Methods Male mice were fed standard or high-fat diet for 24 weeks and housed under standard (22°C) or thermoneutral (30°C) conditions. Results High-fat feeding promoted weight gain and hepatic steatosis, but the effect of thermoneutral environment was not evident. Liver expression of inflammatory markers was increased, with a modest and inconsistent effect of thermoneutral housing; however, histological scores of inflammation and fibrosis were generally low (<1.0), regardless of ambient temperature. In standard diet-fed mice, thermoneutrality increased weight gain, adiposity, and hepatic steatosis, accompanied by elevated de novo lipogenesis and changes in liver metabolome characterized by complex decreases in phospholipids and metabolites involved in urea cycle and oxidative stress defense. Conclusion Thermoneutrality appears to promote NAFLD-associated phenotypes depending on the C57BL/6 substrain and/or the amount of dietary fat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Horakova
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Gabriella Sistilli
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Veronika Kalendova
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Kristina Bardova
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marko Mitrovic
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomas Cajka
- Laboratory of Translational Metabolism, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ilaria Irodenko
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petra Janovska
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Karoline Lackner
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jan Kopecky
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Rossmeisl
- Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
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13
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Wang G, Shen X, Wang Y, Lu H, He H, Wang X. Analysis of risk factors related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study based on 31,718 adult Chinese individuals. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1168499. [PMID: 37457561 PMCID: PMC10339707 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1168499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. This study guides the prevention and diagnosis of NAFLD by analyzing its risk factors and the diagnostic value of each index for NAFLD. Method We collected the clinical information of adults individuals who underwent physical examination in the Physical Examination Center of Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from January 2016 to January 2020, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We performed logistic regression analysis and ROC diagnostic analysis. Results The results showed that age, BMI, SBP, ALT, AST, FBG, TBIL, TG, and LDL were risk factors for NAFLD in adults, and HDL was a protective factor (all p-values were less than 0.05). Among them, age, BMI, ALT, TG, and HDL had a predictive value for the occurrence of NAFLD in the adults (AUC = 0.708, 0.836, 0.767, 0.780, and 0.732, respectively). The combination of age, BMI, ALT, TG, and HDL had a diagnostic value for the occurrence of NAFLD (AUC = 0.881). Conclusion Healthy people should pay attention to their BMI levels, manage blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid levels, and pay attention to changes in ALT and AST index levels to prevent NAFLD. Age, BMI, ALT, TG, and HDL indexes are helpful factors in the diagnosis of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganggang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowei Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yicun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanhua Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua He
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Dobson DA, Holle LA, Lin FC, Huffman JE, Luyendyk JP, Flick MJ, Smith NL, de Vries PS, Morrison AC, Wolberg AS. Novel genetic regulators of fibrinogen synthesis identified by an in vitro experimental platform. J Thromb Haemost 2023; 21:522-533. [PMID: 36696182 PMCID: PMC10111212 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2022.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrinogen has an established, essential role in both coagulation and inflammatory pathways, and these processes are deeply intertwined in the development of thrombotic and atherosclerotic diseases. Previous studies aimed to better understand the (patho) physiological actions of fibrinogen by characterizing the genomic contribution to circulating fibrinogen levels. OBJECTIVES Establish an in vitro approach to define functional roles between genes within these loci and fibrinogen synthesis. METHODS Candidate genes were selected on the basis of their proximity to genetic variants associated with fibrinogen levels and expression in hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were transfected with small interfering RNAs targeting candidate genes and cultured in the absence or presence of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. Effects on fibrinogen protein production, gene expression, and cell growth were assessed by immunoblotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and cell counts, respectively. RESULTS HepG2 cells secreted fibrinogen, and stimulation with interleukin-6 increased fibrinogen production by 3.4 ± 1.2 fold. In the absence of interleukin-6, small interfering RNA knockdown of FGA, IL6R, or EEPD1 decreased fibrinogen production, and knockdown of LEPR, PDIA5, PLEC, SHANK3, or CPS1 increased production. In the presence of interleukin-6, knockdown of FGA, IL6R, or ATXN2L decreased fibrinogen production. Knockdown of FGA, IL6R, EEPD1, LEPR, PDIA5, PLEC, or CPS1 altered transcription of one or more fibrinogen genes. Knocking down ATXN2L suppressed inducible but not basal fibrinogen production via a post-transcriptional mechanism. CONCLUSIONS We established an in vitro platform to define the impact of select gene products on fibrinogen production. Genes identified in our screen may reveal cellular mechanisms that drive fibrinogen production as well as fibrin(ogen)-mediated (patho)physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dre'Von A Dobson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lori A Holle
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Feng-Chang Lin
- Department of Biostatistics and North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - James P Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew J Flick
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nicholas L Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA; Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle WA, USA; Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development, Seattle WA, USA; Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paul S de Vries
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Alanna C Morrison
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Alisa S Wolberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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15
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Activation of Granulocytes in Response to a High Protein Diet Leads to the Formation of Necrotic Lesions in the Liver. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020153. [PMID: 36837771 PMCID: PMC9962952 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In their aspiration to become healthy, people are known to follow extreme diets. However, the acute impact on organs regulating systemic metabolism is not well characterized. Here, we investigated the acute impact of six extreme diets on the liver in mice. Most diets did not lead to clear pathology after short-term feeding. However, two weeks of feeding with a high protein diet (HPD) resulted in an acute increase of liver enzymes in the blood, indicative of liver damage. Histology revealed the formation of necrotic lesions in this organ which persisted for several weeks. Flow cytometric analysis of hepatic immune cell populations showed that HPD feeding induced activation of macrophages and neutrophils. Neutralization of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β or depletion of macrophages with clodronate-loaded liposomes or with genetic models did not ameliorate liver necrosis. In contrast, the depletion of neutrophils prevented HPD-induced hepatic inflammation. After prolonged feeding, HPD-feeding was associated with a strong increase of the cytokines IL-10 and IL-27, suggesting that anti-inflammatory mediators are activated to prevent nutrient-overload-induced damage to the liver. In summary, whereas our data indicates that most extreme diets do not have a major impact on the liver within two weeks, diets with a very high protein content may lead to severe, acute hepatic damage and should therefore be avoided.
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16
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Pichon C, Nachit M, Gillard J, Vande Velde G, Lanthier N, Leclercq IA. Impact of L-ornithine L-aspartate on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hyperammonemia and muscle alterations. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1051157. [PMID: 36466421 PMCID: PMC9709200 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1051157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Progression toward non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with alterations of skeletal muscle. One plausible mechanism for altered muscle compartment in liver disease is changes in ammonia metabolism. In the present study, we explored the hypothesis that NASH-associated hyperammonemia drives muscle changes as well as liver disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS In Alms1-mutant mice (foz/foz) fed a 60% fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks; we investigated hepatic and muscular ammonia detoxification efficiency. We then tested the effect of an 8 week-long supplementation with L-ornithine L-aspartate (LOLA), a known ammonia-lowering treatment, given after either 4 or 12 weeks of HFD for a preventive or a curative intervention, respectively. We monitored body composition, liver and muscle state by micro computed tomography (micro-CT) as well as muscle strength by four-limb grip test. RESULTS According to previous studies, 12 weeks of HFD induced NASH in all foz/foz mice. Increase of hepatic ammonia production and alterations of urea cycle efficiency were observed, leading to hyperammonemia. Concomitantly mice developed marked myosteatosis. First signs of myopenia occurred after 20 weeks of diet. Early LOLA treatment given during NASH development, but not its administration in a curative regimen, efficiently prevented myosteatosis and muscle quality, but barely impacted liver disease or, surprisingly, ammonia detoxification. CONCLUSION Our study confirms the perturbation of hepatic ammonia detoxification pathways in NASH. Results from the interventional experiments suggest a direct beneficial impact of LOLA on skeletal muscle during NASH development, though it does not improve ammonia metabolism or liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Pichon
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology (GAEN), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Nachit
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology (GAEN), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Justine Gillard
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology (GAEN), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Lanthier
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology (GAEN), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle A. Leclercq
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology (GAEN), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-related fibrosis and sarcopenia: An altered liver-muscle crosstalk leading to increased mortality risk. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 80:101696. [PMID: 35843589 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the last few decades, the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, known as sarcopenia, has significantly increased in prevalence, becoming a major global public health concern. On the other hand, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has also reached pandemic proportions, constituting the leading cause of hepatic fibrosis worldwide. Remarkably, while sarcopenia and NAFLD-related fibrosis are independently associated with all-cause mortality, the combination of both conditions entails a greater risk for all-cause and cardiac-specific mortality. Interestingly, both sarcopenia and NAFLD-related fibrosis share common pathophysiological pathways, including insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, hyperammonemia, alterations in the regulation of myokines, sex hormones and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling, which may explain reciprocal connections between these two disorders. Additional contributing factors, such as the gut microbiome, may also play a role in this relationship. In skeletal muscle, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and myostatin signaling are the central anabolic and catabolic pathways, respectively, and the imbalance between them can lead to muscle wasting in patients with NAFLD-related fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the bidirectional influence between NAFLD-related fibrosis and sarcopenia, highlighting the main potential mechanisms involved in this complex crosstalk, and we discuss the synergistic effects of both conditions in overall and cardiovascular mortality.
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18
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Delgado TC, de las Heras J, Martínez-Chantar ML. Understanding gut-liver axis nitrogen metabolism in Fatty Liver Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1058101. [PMID: 36589817 PMCID: PMC9797658 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1058101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeostasis of the most important nitrogen-containing intermediates, ammonia and glutamine, is a tightly regulated process in which the gut-liver axis plays a central role. Several studies revealed that nitrogen metabolism is altered in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), a consensus-driven novel nomenclature for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Both increased ammonia production by gut microbiota and decreased ammonia hepatic removal due to impaired hepatic urea cycle activity or disrupted glutamine synthetase activity may contribute to hepatic ammonia accumulation underlying steatosis, which can eventually progress to hyperammonemia in more advanced stages of steatohepatitis and overt liver fibrosis. Furthermore, our group recently showed that augmented hepatic ammoniagenesis via increased glutaminase activity and overexpression of the high activity glutaminase 1 isoenzyme occurs in Fatty Liver Disease. Overall, the improved knowledge of disrupted nitrogen metabolism and metabolic miscommunication between the gut and the liver suggests that the reestablishment of altered gut-liver axis nitrogenous balance is an appealing and attractive therapeutic approach to tackle Fatty Liver Disease, a growing and unmet health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa C. Delgado
- Liver Disease Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Congenital Metabolic Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- *Correspondence: Teresa C. Delgado,
| | - Javier de las Heras
- Congenital Metabolic Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Division of Pediatric Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, CIBERer, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - María L. Martínez-Chantar
- Liver Disease Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
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