MiR-214 promotes the alcohol-induced oxidative stress via down-regulation of glutathione reductase and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase in liver cells

MicroRNAs as Regulators of Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress

microRNAs (miRNAs) represent small RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression. They are implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular processes ranging from cellular homeostasis to stress responses. Unintended irradiation of the cells and tissues, e.g., during medical uses, induces various pathological conditions, including oxidative stress. miRNAs may regulate the expression of transcription factors (e.g., nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor suppressor protein p53) and other redox-sensitive genes (e.g., mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs), sirtuins (SIRTs)), which trigger and modulate cellular redox signaling. During irradiation, miRNAs mainly act with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to regulate the cell fate. Depending on the pathway involved and the extent of oxidative stress, this may lead to cell survival or cell death. In the context of radiation-induced oxidative stress, miRNA-21 and miRNA-34a are among the best-studied miRNAs. miRNA-21 has been shown to directly target superoxide dismutase (SOD), or NF-κB, whereas miRNA-34a is a direct regulator of NADPH oxidase (NOX), SIRT1, or p53. Understanding the mechanisms underlying radiation-induced injury including the involvement of redox-responsive miRNAs may help to develop novel approaches for modulating the cellular response to radiation exposure.

Cardiovascular Disease and miRNAs: Possible Oxidative Stress-Regulating Roles of miRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been highlighted as key players in numerous diseases, and accumulating evidence indicates that pathological expressions of miRNAs contribute to both the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as well. Another important factor affecting the development and progression of CVD is reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the oxidative stress they may impose on the cells. Considering miRNAs are involved in virtually every biological process, it is not unreasonable to assume that miRNAs also play critical roles in the regulation of oxidative stress. This narrative review aims to provide mechanistic insights on possible oxidative stress-regulating roles of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases based on differentially expressed miRNAs reported in various cardiovascular diseases and their empirically validated targets that have been implicated in the regulation of oxidative stress.

MiRNAs in Alcohol-Related Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Step toward New Therapeutic Approaches?

Alcohol-related Liver Disease (ALD) is the primary cause of chronic liver disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in developed countries and thus represents a major public health concern. Unfortunately, few therapeutic options are available for ALD and HCC, except liver transplantation or tumor resection for HCC. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of these diseases is therefore of major importance to identify early biomarkers and to design efficient therapeutic options. Increasing evidence indicate that epigenetic alterations play a central role in the development of ALD and HCC. Among them, microRNA importantly contribute to the development of this disease by controlling the expression of several genes involved in hepatic metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis at the post-transcriptional level. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about miRNAs' functions in the different stages of ALD and their role in the progression toward carcinogenesis. We highlight that each stage of ALD is associated with deregulated miRNAs involved in hepatic carcinogenesis, and thus represent HCC-priming miRNAs. By using in silico approaches, we have uncovered new miRNAs potentially involved in HCC. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting miRNAs for the treatment of these diseases.

Gut microbiome as a therapeutic target for liver diseases

The prominent role of gut in regulating the physiology of different organs in a human body is increasingly acknowledged, to which the bidirectional communication between gut and liver is no exception. Liver health is modulated via different key components of gut-liver axis. The gut-derived products mainly generated from dietary components, microbial metabolites, toxins, or other antigens are sensed and transported to the liver through portal vein to which liver responds by secreting bile acids and antibodies. Therefore, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can promote homeostasis of this gut-liver axis by regulating the intestinal barrier function and reducing the antigenic molecules. Conversely, liver secretions also regulate the gut microbiome composition. Disturbed homeostasis allows luminal antigens to reach liver leading to impaired liver functioning and instigating liver disorders. The perturbations in gut microbiome, permeability, and bile acid pool have been associated with several liver disorders, although precise mechanisms remain largely unresolved. Herein, we discuss functional fingerprints of a healthy gut-liver axis while contemplating mechanistic understanding of pathophysiology of liver diseases and plausible role of gut dysbiosis in different diseased states of liver. Further, novel therapeutic approaches to prevent the severity of liver disorders are discussed in this review.

The role of miRNAs in liver diseases: Potential therapeutic and clinical applications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that function post-transcriptionally to regulate gene expression by binding to particular mRNA targets and causing destruction of the mRNA or translational inhibition of the mRNA. The miRNAs control the range of liver activities, from the healthy to the unhealthy. Considering that miRNA dysregulation is linked to liver damage, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis, miRNAs are a promising therapeutic strategy for the evaluation and treatment of liver illnesses. Recent findings on the regulation and function of miRNAs in liver diseases are discussed, with an emphasis on miRNAs that are highly expressed or enriched in hepatocytes. Alcohol-related liver illness, acute liver toxicity, viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and exosomes in chronic liver disease all emphasize the roles and target genes of these miRNAs. We briefly discuss the function of miRNAs in the etiology of liver diseases, namely in the transfer of information between hepatocytes and other cell types via extracellular vesicles. Here we offer some background on the use of miRNAs as biomarkers for the early prognosis, diagnosis, and assessment of liver diseases. The identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for liver disorders will be made possible by future research into miRNAs in the liver, which will also help us better understand the pathogeneses of liver diseases.

Pathogenesis of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Excessive alcohol consumption is a global healthcare problem with enormous social, economic, and clinical consequences. While chronic, heavy alcohol consumption causes structural damage and/or disrupts normal organ function in virtually every tissue of the body, the liver sustains the greatest damage. This is primarily because the liver is the first to see alcohol absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract via the portal circulation and second, because the liver is the principal site of ethanol metabolism. Alcohol-induced damage remains one of the most prevalent disorders of the liver and a leading cause of death or transplantation from liver disease. Despite extensive research on the pathophysiology of this disease, there are still no targeted therapies available. Given the multifactorial mechanisms for alcohol-associated liver disease pathogenesis, it is conceivable that a multitherapeutic regimen is needed to treat different stages in the spectrum of this disease.

Effect of Spirulina (Formerly Arthrospira) Maxima against Ethanol-Induced Damage in Rat Liver

Spirulina (formerly Arthrospira) maxima (SP) is a cyanobacterium reported to have great nutritional and pharmacological potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective properties of SP against ethanol-induced toxicity. Male Wistar rats were used in the study and subjected to a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH); they were then divided into five groups. During the experiment, animals in two groups drank an aqueous solution of ethanol (EtOH) (40%, v/v). Additionally, they were administered an SP extract daily at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intragastrically. To explore possible mechanisms of action, we examined antioxidant defense enzymes, as well as serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in the liver. SP administration normalized elevated glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, in addition to increased catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzymes. Alterations in biochemical parameters were observed in the groups with PH treated with EtOH associated with a reduction in cholesterol and albumin levels, while glucose and triglyceride levels increased. The histological study supported the protective activity of SP, reducing apoptosis, necrosis, and congestion in the liver. Our findings demonstrated a protective effect of SP against EtOH that is related to less inflammation, a lesser antioxidant effect, and less free radical scavenging activity.

Protective effect of curcumin on zebrafish liver under ethanol-induced oxidative stress

Oxidative stress has an important role in determining severe damage to the liver, including steatosis. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural polyphenol compound with antioxidant potential but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, 2% ethanol (ETH) was used to establish a liver injury model in Tg (fabp10: Ps Red) transgenic zebrafish with the fluorescent liver. Ethanol-treated zebrafish had an increased vacuole rate at 144 h post-fertilization (hpf), thus confirming the effectiveness of the proposed model in inducing liver damage. However, when ethanol was submitted to co-exposure with curcumin, fluorescence area and signal intensity, as well as vacuole rate, were similar to the levels found in the control group. RNA-seq results showed that ethanol and CUR affected the regulation of catalytic activity and phenylalanine metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and arginine and proline metabolism signaling pathways. QRT-PCR analysis also showed that treatment with CUR led to the downregulation of genes involved in the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway and altered the expression pattern of genes related to glutathione metabolism (gsr, gpx1a, gstp1, gsto1, and idh1a). CUR also induced an increase in GSH content and recovered decreased GSH caused by ethanol exposure. The findings discussed herein indicate that CUR can promote glutathione synthesis, which aided in the recovery from ethanol-induced liver damage in zebrafish larvae.

miRNA-432 and SLC38A1 as Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Complicated with Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is asymptomatic in the early stages and is typically advanced at the time of diagnosis. With the global rise in alcohol abuse, ASH is currently among the most detrimental diseases around the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the final outcomes of numerous liver diseases. However, at present, HCC screening is mostly focused on liver cancer development. Moreover, there is no effective biomarker to predict the prognosis and recurrence of liver cancer. Meanwhile, there are limited studies on the prognosis and recurrence of HCC patients complicated with ASH. In this study, using bioinformatic analysis as well as cellular and animal models, we screened the differentially expressed (DE) miRNA-432 and SLC38A1 gene in ASH. Based on our analysis, miRNA-432 targeted SLC38A1, and the levels of miRNA-432 and SLC38A1 could accurately predict the overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS) in patients with liver cancer. Hence, these two genetic elements have the potential to synergistically predict the prognosis and recurrence of HCC complicated with ASH.

Epigenetics of alcohol-related liver diseases

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a primary cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. Despite advances in the diagnosis and management of ARLD, it remains a major public health problem associated with significant morbidity and mortality, emphasising the need to adopt novel approaches to the study of ARLD and its complications. Epigenetic changes are increasingly being recognised as contributing to the pathogenesis of multiple disease states. Harnessing the power of innovative technologies for the study of epigenetics (e.g., next-generation sequencing, DNA methylation assays, histone modification profiling and computational techniques like machine learning) has resulted in a seismic shift in our understanding of the pathophysiology of ARLD. Knowledge of these techniques and advances is of paramount importance for the practicing hepatologist and researchers alike. Accordingly, in this review article we will summarise the current knowledge about alcohol-induced epigenetic alterations in the context of ARLD, including but not limited to, DNA hyper/hypo methylation, histone modifications, changes in non-coding RNA, 3D chromatin architecture and enhancer-promoter interactions. Additionally, we will discuss the state-of-the-art techniques used in the study of ARLD (e.g. single-cell sequencing). We will also highlight the epigenetic regulation of chemokines and their proinflammatory role in the context of ARLD. Lastly, we will examine the clinical applications of epigenetics in the diagnosis and management of ARLD.

Chronic Alcohol Abuse Alters Hepatic Trace Element Concentrations-Metallomic Study of Hepatic Elemental Composition by Means of ICP-OES

Trace element accumulation varies in different human tissues. Distribution of several elements was found to be disrupted in the case of excessive alcohol consumption, causing negative effects and exacerbation of pathological processes in the liver. In this study, we analyzed the levels and interactions between seven trace elements including calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) in individuals with alcohol-use disorder (AUD) and patients without AUD (control group). The liver samples were collected during autopsy from 39 individuals with AUD and 45 control subjects. Elemental composition inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after wet mineralization by nitric acid was applied for the evaluation of the samples. Positive correlations dominated in the AUD group, mainly in relation to Mg, which strongly positively correlated with Ca, Mn, Fe; K correlated with Mn and Zn, and Cu positively correlated with K and Zn. The strongest positive correlation in the AUD group was observed for the Mg-Mn pair (r = 0.87). Significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the groups concerned the average concentration of Co, Cu, Mn, and Mg, which were lower in the AUD group, and Fe, the level of which was significantly higher in the AUD group compared to the control group. Evaluation of the chronic alcohol consumption effect on the accumulation of trace elements in the liver allows a better understanding of the pathological processes taking place in this organ.

Reaction of the Liver upon Long-Term Treatment of Fluoxetine and Atorvastatin Compared with Alcohol in a Mouse Model

Background

Alcoholism is known to cause liver toxicity and is extensively researched. On the other hand, stress, depression, and obesity are interrelated conditions with alcoholism, and their medications would affect the liver itself. In this study, we investigated the effects of the drugs fluoxetine and atorvastatin on the liver and compared with those of alcohol in a mouse model.

Methods

Comparisons of animals treated with the three drugs were carried out: serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin were measured; liver tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta-1) levels were evaluated; proliferative cells were detected via immunohistochemistry (IHC) targeting on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 2 (MCM2); for apoptosis, IHC targeting on activated caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were employed; and histopathology was also documented in all groups.

Results

For ALT, AST, albumin, and liver TNF alpha, only the ethanol group surged to significantly higher levels. For TGF beta-1, both ethanol and atorvastatin groups reached a significantly higher level. PCNA and MCM2 showed increased proliferation in the livers of all three groups, with the ethanol group having the highest number of positive cells followed by atorvastatin and then the fluoxetine group. As for cell death, both ethanol and fluoxetine groups showed significantly more apoptosis than control in TUNEL and activated caspase-3, while in the atorvastatin group, activated caspase-3 positive cells increased significantly, but the increase in TUNEL-positive cells did not reach statistical significance.

Crosstalk between Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Liver Injury in the Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by the injury, inflammation, and scarring in the liver owing to excessive alcohol consumption. Currently, ALD is a leading cause for liver transplantation. Therefore, extensive studies (in vitro, in experimental ALD models and in humans) are needed to elucidate pathological features and pathogenic mechanisms underlying ALD. Notably, oxidative changes in the liver have been recognized as a signature trait of ALD. Progression of ALD is linked to the generation of highly reactive free radicals by reactions involving ethanol and its metabolites. Furthermore, hepatic oxidative stress promotes tissue injury and, in turn, stimulates inflammatory responses in the liver, forming a pathological loop that promotes the progression of ALD. Accordingly, accumulating further knowledge on the relationship between oxidative stress and inflammation may help establish a viable therapeutic approach for treating ALD.

The Expression Regulatory Network in the Lung Tissue of Tibetan Pigs Provides Insight Into Hypoxia-Sensitive Pathways in High-Altitude Hypoxia

To adapt to a low-oxygen environment, Tibetan pigs have developed a series of unique characteristics and can transport oxygen more effectively; however, the regulation of the associated processes in high-altitude animals remains elusive. We performed mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq, and we constructed coexpression regulatory networks of the lung tissues of Tibetan and Landrace pigs. HBB, AGT, COL1A2, and EPHX1 were identified as major regulators of hypoxia-induced genes that regulate blood pressure and circulation, and they were enriched in pathways related to signal transduction and angiogenesis, such as HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, mTOR, and AMPK. HBB may promote the combination of hemoglobin and oxygen as well as angiogenesis for high-altitude adaptation in Tibetan pigs. The expression of MMP2 showed a similar tendency of alveolar septum thickness among the four groups. These results indicated that MMP2 activity may lead to widening of the alveolar wall and septum, alveolar structure damage, and collapse of alveolar space with remarkable fibrosis. These findings provide a perspective on hypoxia-adaptive genes in the lungs in addition to insights into potential candidate genes in Tibetan pigs for further research in the field of high-altitude adaptation.

Hydrogen sulfide prevents ethanol-induced ZO-1 CpG promoter hypermethylation-dependent vascular permeability via miR-218/DNMT3a axis

Ethanol (ET) causes cerebrovascular dysfunction by altering homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism and by causing oxidative stress. However, there are no strategies to prevent ET-induced epigenetic deregulation of tight junction protein (hyper-methylation) and endothelial cell permeability to date. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂ S) has an antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effect. Here, we investigated the protective role of H₂ S in ET-induced endothelial permeability through epigenetic changes in mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd3). The bEnd3 cells were exposed to 50 mM ET treatment in the presence or absence of 50 μM NaHS (H₂ S donor). The result demonstrates that ET-induced cellular toxicity increased intracellular Hcy levels, which further intensified mitochondrial dysfunction and energy defects. Using miScript microRNA (miRNA) polymerase chain reaction array-based screening, we identified a particular miRNA, miR-218, as a novel target of ET-induced DNA methyltransferase-3a (DNMT3a) activation. miR-218 influences CpG island methylation of the zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) promoter in the endothelial cells. We discovered that ET suppressed miR-218 levels and induced endothelial permeability via DNMT3a-mediated ZO-1 hyper-methylation. Treatment with mito-TEMPO (mitochondria-targeted antioxidant), 5'-azacitidine (DNMT inhibitor), or miR-218 overexpression was shown to protect endothelial cells against ET-induced permeability. Also, bEnd3 cells pretreated with NaHS attenuated ET-induced vascular permeability and prevented CpG island methylation at the promoter. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that H₂ S treatment protects vascular integrity from ET-induced stress by mitigating CpG (ZO-1 promoter) DNA hyper-methylation. This finding uncovers a new mechanistic understanding of NaHS/H₂ S, that may have therapeutic potential in preventing or diminishing ET-induced brain vascular permeability and dysfunction induced by alcoholism.

Oxidative Stress-A Key Player in the Course of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Oxidative stress is known to be an inseparable factor involved in the presentation of liver disorders. Free radicals interfere with DNA, proteins, and lipids, which are crucial in liver metabolism, changing their expression and biological functions. Additionally, oxidative stress modifies the function of micro-RNAs, impairing the metabolism of hepatocytes. Free radicals have also been proven to influence the function of certain transcriptional factors and to alter the cell cycle. The pathological appearance of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) constitutes an ideal example of harmful effects due to the redox state. Finally, ethanol-induced toxicity and overproduction of free radicals provoke irreversible changes within liver parenchyma. Understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with the redox state in the course of ALD creates new possibilities of treatment for patients. The future of hepatology may become directly dependent on the effective action against reactive oxygen species. This review summarizes current data on the redox state in the natural history of ALD, highlighting the newest reports on this topic.

Fructose and the Liver

Chronic diseases represent a major challenge in world health. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of disturbances affecting several organs, and it has been proposed to be a liver-centered condition. Fructose overconsumption may result in insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, elevated uric acid levels, increased blood pressure, and increased triglyceride concentrations in both the blood and liver. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term widely used to describe excessive fatty infiltration in the liver in the absence of alcohol, autoimmune disorders, or viral hepatitis; it is attributed to obesity, high sugar and fat consumption, and sedentarism. If untreated, NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by inflammation and mild fibrosis in addition to fat infiltration and, eventually, advanced scar tissue deposition, cirrhosis, and finally liver cancer, which constitutes the culmination of the disease. Notably, fructose is recognized as a major mediator of NAFLD, as a significant correlation between fructose intake and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis has been found in preclinical and clinical studies. Moreover, fructose is a risk factor for liver cancer development. Interestingly, fructose induces a number of proinflammatory, fibrogenic, and oncogenic signaling pathways that explain its deleterious effects in the body, especially in the liver.

Upregulation of miR-214 Mediates Oxidative Stress in Hb H Disease via Targeting of ATF4

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder, occurring because of an imbalance in the globin chain production. Oxidative stress in erythroid cells of thalassemia is mainly generated from excess globin chains, by Fenton reaction, leading to hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis. Previously, data has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in oxidative stress regulation in red blood cells (RBCs). microR-214 has been reported to respond with an external oxidative stress in erythroid cells by modulating activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). In this study, we illustrated the expressions of miR-214 and ATF4 in Hb H (β4) disease, and Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A)/β-thalassemia (β-thal) reticulocyte samples. Our results showed miR-214 expression was increased in Hb H disease, but not significantly different in Hb E/β-thal reticulocytes. The ATF4 target was decreased in both thalassemic groups. Moreover, miR-214 expression level positively correlated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, while it was negatively correlated with mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb) (MCH) and mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC). We suggested that the upregulation of miR-214 correlated with the oxidative stress as well as anemia severity of Hb H disease patients, by suppression of ATF4. Understanding the oxidative pathways in erythrocyte could be useful to manage and relieve the clinical manifestation, such as anemia, in thalassemic patients.

Micro RNAs in Regulation of Cellular Redox Homeostasis

In living cells Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) participate in intra- and inter-cellular signaling and all cells contain specific systems that guard redox homeostasis. These systems contain both enzymes which may produce ROS such as NADPH-dependent and other oxidases or nitric oxide synthases, and ROS-neutralizing enzymes such as catalase, peroxiredoxins, thioredoxins, thioredoxin reductases, glutathione reductases, and many others. Most of the genes coding for these enzymes contain sequences targeted by micro RNAs (miRNAs), which are components of RNA-induced silencing complexes and play important roles in inhibiting translation of their targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs). In this review we describe miRNAs that directly target and can influence enzymes responsible for scavenging of ROS and their possible role in cellular redox homeostasis. Regulation of antioxidant enzymes aims to adjust cells to survive in unstable oxidative environments; however, sometimes seemingly paradoxical phenomena appear where oxidative stress induces an increase in the levels of miRNAs which target genes which are supposed to neutralize ROS and therefore would be expected to decrease antioxidant levels. Here we show examples of such cellular behaviors and discuss the possible roles of miRNAs in redox regulatory circuits and further cell responses to stress.

Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Liver Diseases: Promising Molecular Drug Targets and their Clinical Development

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases have become a serious concern worldwide. Both these liver diseases have an identical pathology, starting from simple steatosis to cirrhosis and, ultimately to hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment options for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are still the same as they were 50 years ago which include corticosteroids, pentoxifylline, antioxidants, nutritional support and abstinence; and for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), weight loss, insulin sensitizers, lipid-lowering agents and anti-oxidants are the only treatment options. Despite broad research in understanding the disease pathophysiology, limited treatments are available for clinical use. Some therapeutic strategies based on targeting a specific molecule have been developed to lessen the consequences of disease and are under clinical investigation. Therefore, focus on multiple molecular targets will help develop an efficient therapeutic strategy. This review comprises a brief overview of the pathogenesis of ALD and NAFLD; recent molecular drug targets explored for ALD and NAFLD that may prove to be effective for multiple therapeutic regimens and also the clinical status of these promising drug targets for liver diseases.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) refers to the liver damage occurring due to excessive alcohol consumption and involves a broad spectrum of diseases that includes liver steatosis, steatohepatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The progression of ALD is mainly associated with the amount and duration of alcohol usage; however, it is also influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The definite diagnosis of ALD is based on a liver biopsy, although several non-invasive diagnostic tools and serum biomarkers have emerging roles in the early detection of ALD. While alcohol abstinence and nutritional support remain the cornerstone of ALD treatment, growing evidence has revealed that the therapeutic agents that target oxidative stress or gut-liver axis, inflammatory response inhibition, and liver regeneration enhancement also play a role in ALD management. Furthermore, microRNAs modulation and mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy have emerging potential as ALD therapeutic options. This review summarizes the updated understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and novel therapeutic approaches for ALD.

PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil attenuates cardiac microRNA 214 upregulation and pro-apoptotic signaling after chronic alcohol ingestion in mice

Abusive chronic alcohol consumption can cause metabolic and functional derangements in the heart and is a risk factor for development of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. microRNA 214 (miR-214) is a molecular sensor of stress signals that negatively impacts cell survival. Considering cardioprotective and microRNA modulatory effects of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, we investigated the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on cardiac expression of miR-214 and its anti-apoptotic protein target, Bcl-2 and whether sildenafil attenuates such changes. Adult male FVB mice received unlimited access to either normal liquid diet (control), alcohol diet (35% daily calories intake), or alcohol + sildenafil (1 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 weeks (n = 6-7/group). The alcohol-fed groups with or without sildenafil had increased total diet consumption and lower body weight as compared with controls. Echocardiography-assessed left ventricular function was unaltered by 14-week alcohol intake. Alcohol-fed group had 2.6-fold increase in miR-214 and significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression, along with enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and cleavage of PARP (marker of apoptotic DNA damage) in the heart. Co-ingestion with sildenafil blunted the alcohol-induced increase in miR-214, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and maintained Bcl-2 and decreased PARP cleavage levels. In conclusion, chronic alcohol consumption triggers miR-214-mediated pro-apoptotic signaling in the heart, which was prevented by co-treatment with sildenafil. Thus, PDE5 inhibition may serve as a novel protective strategy against cardiac apoptosis due to chronic alcohol abuse.

MicroRNAs in the regulation of cellular redox status and its implications in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that do not encode for proteins and play key roles in the regulation of gene expression. miRNAs are involved in a comprehensive range of biological processes such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, and several developmental and physiological processes. Oxidative stress can affect the expression levels of multiple miRNAs and, conversely, miRNAs may regulate the expression of redox sensors, alter critical components of the cellular antioxidants, interact with the proteasome, and affect DNA repair systems. The number of publications identifying redox-sensitive miRNAs has increased significantly over the last few years, and some miRNA targets such as Nrf2, SIRT1 and NF-κB have been identified. The complex interplay between miRNAs and ROS is discussed together with their role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and the potential use of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of myocardial infarction. Detailed knowledge of redox-sensitive miRNAs is needed to be able to effectively use individual compounds or sets of miRNA-modulating compounds to improve the health-related outcomes associated with different diseases.

MicroRNA-214 protects L6 skeletal myoblasts against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as key gene regulators, and they control many fundamental biological processes. Previously, we demonstrated that miR-214 had a protective effect against myocardial apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we sought to investigate the expression of miR-214 in L6 skeletal myoblast (SKM), the regulatory effect of miR-214 on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induced cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms of the antiapoptotic effect. MiR-214 expression was up-regulated by H₂O₂ in a dose and time-dependent manner in L6 SKMs. To investigate the regulatory effects of miR-214 on L6 SKM, both gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches were applied. The results showed that miR-214 improved cell survival and inhibited cell apoptosis, and blockage of miR-214 abrogated the protective effect on cell survival and resistance to apoptosis. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was negatively regulated by miR-214, and PTEN inhibitor obviously reversed the effect of miR-214 blockage on enhancing cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-214 up-regulated antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, down-regulated proapoptotic protein Bax, prevented release of cytochrome c and inhibited caspase-3 activation. In summary, H₂O₂-induced injury increases miR-214 expression in L6 SKM, and miR-214 contributes to the protection of L6 SKM against apoptosis via lowering PTEN and subsequently inhibiting the mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway.

MicroRNA-214-3p enhances erastin-induced ferroptosis by targeting ATF4 in hepatoma cells

Primary liver cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths. Ferroptosis, a recognized form of regulated cell death, recently gains attention. MicroRNA-214-3p (miR-214) plays a regulatory role in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the role of miR-214 in cellular ferroptosis is unclear. This study aimed at elucidating whether miR-214 could regulate ferroptosis of liver cancer. In vitro, HepG2 and Hep3B cancer cells were treated with erastin, a ferroptosis inducer, and then erastin was demonstrated to suppress the cell viability. Moreover, pre-miR-214 overexpression caused that HepG2 and Hep3B cells were more susceptible to erastin, whereas anti-miR-214 sponge showed the opposite effect. Additionally, pre-miR-214 overexpression increased the malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species levels, upregulated Fe²⁺ concentration, and decreased glutathione levels in cancer cells exposed to erastin. Further, erastin enhanced the activation of transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in HepG2 and Hep3B cells, and pre-miR-214 overexpression inhibited ATF4 expression. The luciferase reporter data validated ATF4 as a direct target of miR-214. Cancer cells transfected with ATF4 overexpression plasmid rendered lower susceptible to miR-214-induced ferroptotic death. In vivo, erastin significantly reduced the size and weight of xenografted tumors, and miR-214 elevated the ferroptosis-promoting effects of erastin and decreased ATF4 expression. In summary, our study demonstrates that the ferroptosis-promoting effects of miR-214 in hepatoma cells are attributed at least to its inhibitory effects on ATF4, which may provide a new target for therapy of hepatoma regarding ferroptosis.

Toxic effects of fluridone on early developmental stages of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)

The herbicide fluridone is intensively applied to control invasive aquatic plants globally, including in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta (the Delta), California, USA. Our previous study revealed that the adult stage of Delta Smelt showed acute and sub-lethal adverse effects following 6 h of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluridone. To further investigate mechanisms of toxicity of fluridone and to assess its toxicity to early life stages of fish, we performed additional exposures using the fish model Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes). Male and female Medaka embryos were exposed to concentrations of fluridone for 14 d and showed reduced hatching success in a dose dependent manner. The half maximal effective concentration for the hatching success was 2.3 mg L^-1. In addition, male and female Medaka larvae were acute exposed to fluridone for 6 h to assess their swimming behavior and gene expression patterns. Fish exposed to fluridone at 4.2 mg L^-1 or higher became lethargic and showed abnormal swimming behavior. The response to the stimuli was significantly impaired by fluridone at 21 mg L^-1 and above in males, and at 104 mg L^-1 in females. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 799 genes that were significantly differentially expressed, comprising 555 up-regulated and 244 down-regulated genes in males exposed to 21 mg L^-1 of fluridone. The gene set enrichment analysis indicated a number of biological processes altered by fluridone. Among the genes involved in those biological processes, the expression of the genes, acetylcholinesterase, retinoic acid receptor, insulin receptor substrate, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S transferase, exhibited dose- and sex-dependent responses to fluridone. The study indicated that fluridone exposure led to detrimental toxic effects at early developmental stages of fish, by disturbing the biological processes of growth and development, and the nervous system, inducing oxidative stress and endocrine disruption.

Mechanisms of NADPH - cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase induction by dexamethasone in the H4IIE rat hepatoma cell line

Expression of NADPH - cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), electron donor for microsomal P450s, is induced in rat liver by dexamethasone (DEX), an activator of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the pregnane X receptor (PXR). DEX induction of POR in rat liver is primarily PXR-mediated, although GR may contribute to mRNA effects. We examined the role of GR and PXR in the DEX induction of POR mRNA and protein in the H4IIE rat hepatoma cell line. The DEX EC₅₀ for a PXR target, CYP3A23, exceeded that for the GR targets tyrosine aminotransferase and PXR as well as POR itself. POR protein levels were induced 3- and 4-fold, respectively, by DEX concentrations activating GR selectively (100 nM) or both GR and PXR (10 μM). POR was induced by triamcinolone acetonide, a selective GR agonist, but not pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile, a selective PXR agonist. POR induction was blocked by the GR antagonist RU486 but minimally influenced by the PXR antagonist FLB-12. The half-life for POR mRNA was prolonged by DEX at both 100 nM and 10 μM. GR is more important in DEX-induced POR expression in H4IIE cells compared to rat liver in vivo, calling into question the suitability of this cell model for mechanistic studies.

The Crosstalk of miRNA and Oxidative Stress in the Liver: From Physiology to Pathology and Clinical Implications

The liver is the central metabolic organ of mammals. In humans, most diseases of the liver are primarily caused by an unhealthy lifestyle-high fat diet, drug and alcohol consumption- or due to infections and exposure to toxic substances like aflatoxin or other environmental factors. All these noxae cause changes in the metabolism of functional cells in the liver. In this literature review we focus on the changes at the miRNA level, the formation and impact of reactive oxygen species and the crosstalk between those factors. Both, miRNAs and oxidative stress are involved in the multifactorial development and progression of acute and chronic liver diseases, as well as in viral hepatitis and carcinogenesis, by influencing numerous signaling and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, expression patterns of miRNAs and antioxidants can be used for biomonitoring the course of disease and show potential to serve as possible therapeutic targets.

Noncoding RNAs in alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a complex process with high morbitity and can cause liver dysfunction, which contains a wide spectrum of hepatic lesions, including steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. To date, the molecular mechanisms for ALD have not been fully explored and an effective therapy is still missing. Overwhelming evidence shows dysregulation of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), is correlated with etiopathogenesis and progress of ALD including hepatocyte damage, disrupted lipid metabolism, aggressive inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, programmed cell death, fibrosis, and epigenetic changes induced by alcohol. For example, circulating miRNA-122 is a marker of hepatocyte damage, and miRNA-155 is a potential marker of inflammation, indicating their diagnosis therapeutic potential in ALD. In addition, roles for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs in ALD are being uncovered. Further, circulating ncRNAs and exosome-derived ncRNAs have attracted more attention lately, suggesting a role in the prevention and treatment of ALD. This review covers the roles of ncRNAs in ALD, and the potential uses as markers for diagnosis and therapeutic options.

Protocatechuic Acid-Mediated miR-219a-5p Activation Inhibits the p66shc Oxidant Pathway to Alleviate Alcoholic Liver Injury

Alcohol abuse has become common worldwide and has been recognized as a major cause of chronic alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD encompasses a complex process that includes a broad scope of hepatic lesions, ranging from steatosis to cirrhosis. In particular, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mainly involved. Numerous studies have shown that p66shc plays a significant role in ALD. Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a dihydroxybenzoic acid that is naturally found in green tea, vegetables, and fruits, has efficient free radical scavenging effects. In this study, we aimed to assess the protective effect of PCA on ALD and to evaluate the microRNA- (miRNA-) p66shc-mediated reduction of ROS formation in ALD. Our results demonstrated that PCA treatment significantly decreased p66shc expression and downstream ROS formation in ALD. miR-219a-5p, which was identified by bioinformatics and experimental analysis, was enhanced by PCA and subsequently suppressed p66shc expression. Importantly, p66shc played an essential role in the protection of PCA-stimulated miR-219a-5p overexpression. Overall, these findings show that PCA-stimulated miR-219a-5p expression mitigates ALD by reducing p66shc-mediated ROS formation. This study may contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions for ALD.

Natural compounds in the chemoprevention of alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Much effort has been expended to explore the pathogenesis of ALD. Hepatic cell injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, regeneration, and bacterial translocation are all involved in the pathogenesis of ALD. Immediate abstinence is the most important therapeutic treatment for affected individuals. However, the medical treatment for ALD had not advanced in a long period. Intriguingly, an increasing body of research indicates the potential of natural compounds in the targeted therapy of ALD. A plethora of dietary natural products such as flavonoids, resveratrol, saponins, and β-carotene are found to exert protective effects on ALD. This occurs through various mechanisms composed of antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, iron chelation, pro-apoptosis, and/or antiproliferation of hepatic stellate cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge about the pathogenesis and treatments of ALD and focus on the potential of natural compounds in ALD therapies and underlying mechanisms.

Pathogenesis, Early Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Management of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) refers to the damages to the liver and its functions due to alcohol overconsumption. It consists of fatty liver/steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis, steatohepatitis, chronic hepatitis with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease are extremely complicated due to the involvement of immune cells, adipose tissues, and genetic diversity. Clinically, the diagnosis of ALD is not yet well developed. Therefore, the number of patients in advanced stages has increased due to the failure of proper early detection and treatment. At present, abstinence and nutritional therapy remain the conventional therapeutic interventions for ALD. Moreover, the therapies which target the TNF receptor superfamily, hormones, antioxidant signals, and MicroRNAs are used as treatments for ALD. In particular, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are gaining attention as a potential therapeutic target of ALD. Therefore, in this review, we have summarized the current understandings of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ALD. Moreover, we also discuss the various existing treatment strategies while focusing on promising therapeutic approaches for ALD.

Differential response of antioxidant defense in HepG2 cells on exposure of Livotrit®, in a concentration dependent manner

Livotrit^®, a polyherbal formulation (Zandu, India) is commonly prescribed for liver health. The present study was undertaken to elucidate possible mechanism of antioxidant potential of Livotrit^®. Livotrit^® exhibited concentration dependent radical scavenging activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation as well as activation and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. Interestingly, lower concentration of Livotrit^® (0.05%) significantly increased activities and gene expression of catalase, Glutathione reductase (GR) and Gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), while higher concentration of Livotrit^® (0.5%) significantly increased antioxidant enzyme Heme-oxygenase 1(HO-1) and not catalase (CAT), GR and GPx. Transcription factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) required for expression of catalase, GR, GPx and HO-1 was efficiently translocated into the nucleus at both concentrations. Inspite of this, concentration dependent activation of these enzymes was found to be mediated through miRNAs involved in regulation of their gene expression.

Reversing Epigenetic Alterations Caused by Alcohol: A Promising Therapeutic Direction for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a liver function disorder caused by excessive alcohol intake, is a serious threat to global public health and social development. Toxic metabolites and reactive oxygen species produced during the metabolism of alcohol can alter the epigenetic state including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and expression of microRNAs. Epigenetic alterations can conversely involve various signaling pathways, which could contribute to the initiation and progression of ALD. To elucidate the relationship between epigenetic alterations and alcohol damage not only reinforces our understanding on pathogenesis of ALD, but also provides novel targets for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and drug research of ALD. In this review, we have summarized the research progress of epigenetic alterations and related mechanisms caused by alcohol in the pathogenesis of ALD. Considering the invertibility of epigenetic alterations, treatment of ALD through epigenetic modification with common less harmful compounds is also related.

Role of microRNAs in alcohol-induced liver disorders and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate multiple physiological and pathological functions through the modulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Accumulating evidence has established a role for miRNAs in the development and pathogenesis of liver disease. Specifically, a large number of studies have assessed the role of miRNAs in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), two diseases that share common underlying mechanisms and pathological characteristics. The purpose of the current review is to summarize and update the body of literature investigating the role of miRNAs in liver disease. In addition, the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets is discussed. Among all miRNAs analyzed, miR-34a, miR-122 and miR-155 are most involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Of note, these three miRNAs have also been implicated in ALD, reinforcing a common disease mechanism between these two entities and the pleiotropic effects of specific miRNAs. Currently, no single miRNA or panel of miRNAs has been identified for the detection of, or staging of ALD or NAFLD. While promising results have been shown in murine models, no therapeutic based-miRNA agents have been developed for use in humans with liver disease.

Sevoflurane induces liver injury by modulating the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 via miR-214

This study aimed to detect the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on liver injury through modulating IGF-1. The expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in liver tissues of sevoflurane-exposed rats was examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The expression levels of miR-214 in liver cells treated with different concentration of sevoflurane at different time points were detected by qRT-PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay was used to analyze serum IGF-1 concentration in cell culture media. After pre-treatment with 100 nM miR-214 inhibitor followed by exposure to sevoflurane, the expression level of miR-214 and IGF-1 protein in liver cells was examined. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and TUNEL assay was performed to analyze liver tissue necrosis and apoptosis. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase 3 and Bcl-xL) were examined using Western blot. The mRNA and protein expression level of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in rats was significantly down-regulated after 90 min exposure to sevoflurane. QRT-PCR results suggested that exposure to sevoflurane upregulated the expression level of miR-214 and decreased the concentration of IGF-1 in a dose and time dependent manner. Sevoflurane inhibited the expression of IGF-1 through up-regulating miR-214. IGF-1 inhibited the positive effect of sevoflurane on cell necrosis and apoptosis. Sevoflurane could induce liver injury by modulating IGF-1 expression via miR-214.

miR-125a Suppresses TrxR1 Expression and Is Involved in H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Endothelial Cells

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an antioxidant enzyme dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, plays a vital role in defense against oxidative stress. However, the role of microRNAs targeting TrxR under oxidative stress has not yet been determined. In this study, we tested the involvement of miRNA-mediated posttranscriptional regulation in H₂O₂-induced TrxR1 expression in endothelial cells. Dual luciferase assay combined with expression analysis confirmed that miR-125a suppressed TrxR1 expression by targeting its 3′-UTR. Furthermore, H₂O₂ induced TrxR1 expression partly through downregulation of miR-125a. These findings indicate that miRNA-mediated posttranscriptional mechanism is involved in H₂O₂-induced TrxR1 expression in endothelial cells, suggesting an important role of miRNAs in the response to oxidative stress.

MiR-214 is an important regulator of the musculoskeletal metabolism and disease

MiR-214 belongs to a family of microRNA (small, highly conserved noncoding RNA molecules) precursors that play a pivotal role in biological functions, such as cellular function, tissue development, tissue homeostasis, and pathogenesis of diseases. Recently, miR-214 emerged as a critical regulator of musculoskeletal metabolism. Specifically, miR-214 can mediate skeletal muscle myogenesis and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. MiR-214 also modulates osteoblast function by targeting specific molecular pathways and the expression of various osteoblast-related genes; promotes osteoclast activity by targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten); and mediates osteoclast-osteoblast intercellular crosstalk via an exosomal miRNA paracrine mechanism. Importantly, dysregulation in miR-214 expression is associated with pathological bone conditions such as osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, multiple myeloma, and osteolytic bone metastasis of breast cancer. This review discusses the cellular targets of miR-214 in bone, the molecular mechanisms governing the activities of miR-214 in the musculoskeletal system, and the putative role of miR-214 in skeletal diseases. Understanding the biology of miR-214 could potentially lead to the development of miR-214 as a possible biomarker and a therapeutic target for musculoskeletal diseases.

MicroRNAs in alcoholic liver disease: Recent advances and future applications

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by hepatocyte damage, inflammatory cell activation, and increased intestinal permeability leading to the clinical manifestations of alcoholic hepatitis. Selected members of the family of microRNAs (miRNAs) are affected by alcohol, resulting in an abnormal miRNA profile in the liver and circulation in ALD. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs that regulate inflammation, lipid metabolism and promote cancer are affected by excessive alcohol administration in mouse models of ALD. This communication highlights recent findings in miRNA expression and functions as they relate to the pathogenesis of ALD. The cell-specific distribution of miRNAs, as well as the significance of circulating extracellular miRNAs, is discussed as potential biomarkers. Finally, the prospects of miRNA-based therapies are evaluated in ALD.

Neuroprotection afforded by circadian regulation of intracellular glutathione levels: A key role for miRNAs

Circadian rhythms are approximately 24-h oscillations of physiological and behavioral processes that allow us to adapt to daily environmental cycles. Like many other biological functions, cellular redox status and antioxidative defense systems display circadian rhythmicity. In the central nervous system (CNS), glutathione (GSH) is a critical antioxidant because the CNS is extremely vulnerable to oxidative stress; oxidative stress, in turn, causes several fatal diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. It has long been known that GSH level shows circadian rhythm, although the mechanism underlying GSH rhythm production has not been well-studied. Several lines of recent evidence indicate that the expression of antioxidant genes involved in GSH homeostasis as well as circadian clock genes are regulated by post-transcriptional regulator microRNA (miRNA), indicating that miRNA plays a key role in generating GSH rhythm. Interestingly, several reports have shown that alterations of miRNA expression as well as circadian rhythm have been known to link with various diseases related to oxidative stress. A growing body of evidence implicates a strong correlation between antioxidative defense, circadian rhythm and miRNA function, therefore, their dysfunctions could cause numerous diseases. It is hoped that continued elucidation of the antioxidative defense systems controlled by novel miRNA regulation under circadian control will advance the development of therapeutics for the diseases caused by oxidative stress.

MicroRNAs as Potential Regulators of Glutathione Peroxidases Expression and Their Role in Obesity and Related Pathologies

Glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) belong to the eight-member family of phylogenetically related enzymes with different cellular localization, but distinct antioxidant function. Several GPxs are important selenoproteins. Dysregulated GPx expression is connected with severe pathologies, including obesity and diabetes. We performed a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis using the programs miRDB, miRanda, TargetScan, and Diana in the search for hypothetical microRNAs targeting 3′untranslated regions (3´UTR) of GPxs. We cross-referenced the literature for possible intersections between our results and available reports on identified microRNAs, with a special focus on the microRNAs related to oxidative stress, obesity, and related pathologies. We identified many microRNAs with an association with oxidative stress and obesity as putative regulators of GPxs. In particular, miR-185-5p was predicted by a larger number of programs to target six GPxs and thus could play the role as their master regulator. This microRNA was altered by selenium deficiency and can play a role as a feedback control of selenoproteins’ expression. Through the bioinformatics analysis we revealed the potential connection of microRNAs, GPxs, obesity, and other redox imbalance related diseases.

Targeting inflammation for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease with a wide spectrum of manifestations including simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver injury in ALD is caused by chronic inflammation, which has been actively investigated as a therapeutic target for the treatment of ALD for over the last four decades. In this review, we summarize a wide variety of inflammatory mediators that have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of ALD, and discuss the therapeutic potential of these mediators for the treatment of ALD.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the antioxidant genes CAT, GR and SOD1, erythrocyte enzyme activities, dietary and life style factors and breast cancer risk in a Danish, prospective cohort study

Exposure to estrogens and alcohol consumption - the two only well-established risk factors for breast cancer - are capable of causing oxidative stress, which has been linked to progression of breast cancer. Here, five functional polymorphisms in the antioxidant genes SOD1, CAT and GSR were investigated in 703 breast cancer case-control pairs in the Danish, prospective “Diet, Cancer and Health” cohort together with gene-environment interactions between the polymorphisms, enzyme activities and intake of fruits and vegetables, alcohol and smoking in relation to breast cancer risk. Our results showed that genetically determined variations in the antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD1, CAT and GSR were not associated with risk of breast cancer per se. However, intake of alcohol, fruit and vegetables, and smoking status interacted with some of the polymorphisms in relation to breast cancer risk. Four polymorphisms were strongly associated with enzyme activity, but there was no interaction between any of the studied environmental factors and the polymorphisms in relation to enzyme activity. Additionally, single measurement of enzyme activity at entry to the cohort was not associated with risk of breast cancer. Our results therefore suggest that the antioxidant enzyme activities studied here are not major determinants of breast cancer risk.

Role of Glucocorticoid Receptor and Pregnane X Receptor in Dexamethasone Induction of Rat Hepatic Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator and NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) nuclear translocator (ARNT), as the AHR's heterodimerization partner, and NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), as the key electron donor for all microsomal P450s, are independent and indispensable components in the adaptive and toxic responses to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Expression of both ARNT and POR in rat liver is induced by dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid known to activate both the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the pregnane X receptor (PXR). To better understand the role of GR and PXR in the in vivo DEX induction of rat hepatic ARNT and POR at the mRNA and protein levels, we studied the following: 1) the effects of DEX doses that activate GR (≥0.1 mg/kg) or PXR (≥10 mg/kg); 2) responses produced by GR- and PXR-selective agonists; 3) the impact of GR antagonism on DEX's inducing effects; and 4) whether biologic responses to DEX are altered in PXR-knockout rats. Our findings are consistent with a role for GR as a key mediator of the induction of rat hepatic ARNT expression by glucocorticoids; a role for PXR in the modulation of ARNT protein levels could not be excluded. Although GR activation may contribute to POR mRNA induction, regulation of POR expression and function by DEX is primarily PXR-mediated. This work suggests that the hepatic expression and function of ARNT and POR may be modulated by exposure to exogenous PXR activators and/or conditions that alter glucocorticoid levels such as stress, steroidal therapies, and diseases of excess or deficiency.

MicroRNAs as regulators of drug abuse and immunity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20-22 nucleotide non-coding RNAs that participate in gene regulation. They bind to 3'-untranslated regions of their mRNA targets, inhibiting the transcripts' translation and/or destabilizing them. Chronic drug abuse induces changes of miRNAs expression in the brain, which is thought to contribute to addictive behaviors. Lots of miRNAs have been identified to play critical roles in the development of drug addiction. Moreover, miRNAs have been shown to play critical roles in a broad array of biologic processes, including regulation of the cell cycle, oncogenic transformation, immune cell regeneration and differentiation, and psychiatry disorders. We hypothesized that chronic drug abuse leads to aberrant expression of several miRNAs, and then aberrant miRNAs influence the innate and adaptive immunity, especially differentiation and function of T cells and B cells, through down-regulated miRNAs' target gene expression. Characterization of miRNA actions is important and has high potential effect for the management of drug addiction and immunity diseases. miRNAs are potential biomarkers, and the modulation of their expression can be used for therapeutic purposes.

Alcoholic Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Current Management

Excessive alcohol consumption is a global healthcare problem. The liver sustains the greatest degree of tissue injury by heavy drinking because it is the primary site of ethanol metabolism. Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption produces a wide spectrum of hepatic lesions, the most characteristic of which are steatosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis/cirrhosis. Steatosis is the earliest response to heavy drinking and is characterized by the deposition of fat in hepatocytes. Steatosis can progress to steatohepatitis, which is a more severe, inflammatory type of liver injury. This stage of liver disease can lead to the development of fibrosis, during which there is excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. The fibrotic response begins with active pericellular fibrosis, which may progress to cirrhosis, characterized by excessive liver scarring, vascular alterations, and eventual liver failure. Among problem drinkers, about 35 percent develop advanced liver disease because a number of disease modifiers exacerbate, slow, or prevent alcoholic liver disease progression. There are still no FDA-approved pharmacological or nutritional therapies for treating patients with alcoholic liver disease. Cessation of drinking (i.e., abstinence) is an integral part of therapy. Liver transplantation remains the life-saving strategy for patients with end-stage alcoholic liver disease.

MicroRNA-mediated regulation of glutathione and methionine metabolism and its relevance for liver disease

The discovery of the microRNA (miRNA) family of small RNAs as fundamental regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression has fostered research on their importance in every area of biology and clinical medicine. In the particular area of liver metabolism and disease, miRNAs are gaining increasing importance. By focusing on two fundamental hepatic biosynthetic pathways, glutathione and methionine, we review recent advances on the comprehension of the role of miRNAs in liver pathophysiology and more specifically of models of hepatic cholestasis/fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.