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Vachliotis ID, Polyzos SA. The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Curr Obes Rep 2023; 12:191-206. [PMID: 37407724 PMCID: PMC10482776 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-023-00519-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize experimental and clinical evidence on the association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and discuss potential treatment considerations. RECENT FINDINGS Experimental evidence suggests that TNF-α is a cytokine with a critical role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Although, the production of TNF-α may be an early event during the course of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), TNF-α may play a more substantial role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NAFLD-associated fibrosis. Moreover, TNF-α may potentiate hepatic insulin resistance, thus interconnecting inflammatory with metabolic signals and possibly contributing to the development of NAFLD-related comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extra-hepatic malignancies. In clinical terms, TNF-α is probably associated with the severity of NAFLD; circulating TNF-α gradually increases from controls to patients with NAFL, and then, to patients with NASH. Given this potential association, various therapeutic interventions (obeticholic acid, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, probiotics, synbiotics, rifaximin, vitamin E, pentoxifylline, ursodeoxycholic acid, fibroblast growth factor-21, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, statins, angiotensin receptor blockers) have been evaluated for their effect on TNF-α and NAFLD. Interestingly, anti-TNF biologics have shown favorable metabolic and hepatic effects, which may open a possible therapeutic window for the management of advanced NAFLD. The potential key pathogenic role of TNF-α in NAFLD warrants further investigation and may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias D. Vachliotis
- First Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stergios A. Polyzos
- First Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Zhao YQ, Deng XW, Xu GQ, Lin J, Lu HZ, Chen J. Mechanical homeostasis imbalance in hepatic stellate cells activation and hepatic fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1183808. [PMID: 37152902 PMCID: PMC10157180 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1183808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease or repeated damage to hepatocytes can give rise to hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process of excessive sedimentation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans (PGs) in the hepatic parenchyma. Changes in the composition of the ECM lead to the stiffness of the matrix that destroys its inherent mechanical homeostasis, and a mechanical homeostasis imbalance activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which can overproliferate and secrete large amounts of ECM proteins. Excessive ECM proteins are gradually deposited in the Disse gap, and matrix regeneration fails, which further leads to changes in ECM components and an increase in stiffness, forming a vicious cycle. These processes promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, the dynamic process of ECM remodeling of HF and the activation of HSCs into mechanotransduction signaling pathways for myofibroblasts to participate in HF are discussed. These mechanotransduction signaling pathways may have potential therapeutic targets for repairing or reversing fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Quan Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xi-Wen Deng
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Guo-Qi Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hua-Ze Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Chua D, Low ZS, Cheam GX, Ng AS, Tan NS. Utility of Human Relevant Preclinical Animal Models in Navigating NAFLD to MAFLD Paradigm. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314762. [PMID: 36499091 PMCID: PMC9737809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is an emerging contributor to disease burden worldwide. The past decades of work established the heterogeneous nature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) etiology and systemic contributions to the pathogenesis of the disease. This called for the proposal of a redefinition in 2020 to that of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the current understanding of the disease. To date, several clinical cohort studies comparing NAFLD and MAFLD hint at the relevancy of the new nomenclature in enriching for patients with more severe hepatic injury and extrahepatic comorbidities. However, the underlying systemic pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Preclinical animal models have been imperative in elucidating key biological mechanisms in various contexts, including intrahepatic disease progression, interorgan crosstalk and systemic dysregulation. Furthermore, they are integral in developing novel therapeutics against MAFLD. However, substantial contextual variabilities exist across different models due to the lack of standardization in several aspects. As such, it is crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing models to better align them to the human condition. In this review, we consolidate the implications arising from the change in nomenclature and summarize MAFLD pathogenesis. Subsequently, we provide an updated evaluation of existing MAFLD preclinical models in alignment with the new definitions and perspectives to improve their translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Chua
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
| | - Zun Siong Low
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Guo Xiang Cheam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Aik Seng Ng
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Nguan Soon Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
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Zhang KK, Liu JL, Chen LJ, Li JH, Yang JZ, Xu LL, Chen YK, Zhang QY, Li XW, Liu Y, Zhao D, Xie XL, Wang Q. Gut microbiota mediates methamphetamine-induced hepatic inflammation via the impairment of bile acid homeostasis. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 166:113208. [PMID: 35688268 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth), an addictive psychostimulant of abuse worldwide, has been a common cause of acute toxic hepatitis in adults. Gut microbiota has emerged as a modulator of host immunity via metabolic pathways. However, the microbial mechanism of Meth-induced hepatic inflammation and effective therapeutic strategies remain unknown. Here, mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with Meth to induce hepatotoxicity. Cecal microbiome and bile acids (BAs) composition were analyzed after Meth administration. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) technology was utilized to investigate the role of microbiota. Additionally, the protective effects of obeticholic acid (OCA), an agonist of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), were evaluated. Results indicated that Meth administration induced hepatic cholestasis, dysfunction and aroused hepatic inflammation by stimulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in mice. Meanwhile, Meth disturbed the cecal microbiome and impaired the homeostasis of BAs. Interestingly, FMT from Meth administered mice resulted in serum and hepatic BA accumulation and transferred similar phenotypic changes into the healthy recipient mice. Finally, OCA normalized Meth-induced BA accumulation in both serum and the liver, and effectively protected against Meth-induced hepatic dysfunction and inflammation by suppressing the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. This study established the importance of microbial mechanism and its inhibition as a potential therapeutic target to treat Meth-related hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Kai Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Jia-Li Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Li-Jian Chen
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Jia-Hao Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Jian-Zheng Yang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Ling-Ling Xu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yu-Kui Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Qin-Yao Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Xiu-Wen Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yi Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science (China University of Political Science and Law), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Li Xie
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University (Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
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Effect of combined farnesoid X receptor agonist and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker on ongoing hepatic fibrosis. Indian J Gastroenterol 2022; 41:169-180. [PMID: 35279807 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-021-01220-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is difficult to diagnose in patients with no symptoms. We aimed to investigate the combined effect of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, obeticholic acid (OCA), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB: losartan) on an ongoing hepatic fibrosis in a NASH rat model. METHODS Fischer 344 rats were fed with choline-deficient L-amino-acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 16 weeks. After 8-week administration of CDAA diet, OCA, losartan, or a combination of these drugs was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks by oral gavage. The in vivo and in vitro effects of OCA + losartan and liver fibrosis progression, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) regulatory cascade, and gut barrier function were evaluated. RESULTS OCA + losartan alleviated hepatic fibrosis progression by suppressing α-SMA expression. It inhibited the proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cell (Ac-HSC) and mRNA expression of hepatic transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), TLR4, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and decreased the hydroxyproline levels. OCA increased the hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA expression. OCA decreased the mRNA expression of hepatic LPS-binding protein and intestinal permeability by ameliorating the disruption of CDAA diet-induced zonula occludens-1. Losartan directly inhibited the proliferation of Ac-HSC. The in vitro suppressive effects of OCA + losartan on the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1 and α1(I)-procollagen, TLR4, and TIMP-1 in Ac-HSCs were almost in parallel. CONCLUSIONS OCA + losartan suppressed the ongoing hepatic fibrosis by attenuating gut barrier dysfunction and suppressing Ac-HSC proliferation. Combined therapy may be a promising novel approach for NASH with fibrosis.
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Carreres L, Jílková ZM, Vial G, Marche PN, Decaens T, Lerat H. Modeling Diet-Induced NAFLD and NASH in Rats: A Comprehensive Review. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040378. [PMID: 33918467 PMCID: PMC8067264 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, characterized by hepatic steatosis without any alcohol abuse. As the prevalence of NAFLD is rapidly increasing worldwide, important research activity is being dedicated to deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms in order to define new therapeutic targets. To investigate these pathways and validate preclinical study, reliable, simple and reproducible tools are needed. For that purpose, animal models, more precisely, diet-induced NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) models, were developed to mimic the human disease. In this review, we focus on rat models, especially in the current investigation of the establishment of the dietary model of NAFLD and NASH in this species, compiling the different dietary compositions and their impact on histological outcomes and metabolic injuries, as well as external factors influencing the course of liver pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydie Carreres
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France; (L.C.); (Z.M.J.); (P.N.M.); (T.D.)
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Zuzana Macek Jílková
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France; (L.C.); (Z.M.J.); (P.N.M.); (T.D.)
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Guillaume Vial
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
- Inserm U 1300, Hypoxia PathoPhysiology (HP2), 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Patrice N. Marche
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France; (L.C.); (Z.M.J.); (P.N.M.); (T.D.)
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France; (L.C.); (Z.M.J.); (P.N.M.); (T.D.)
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
- Service D’hépato-Gastroentérologie, Pôle Digidune, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Hervé Lerat
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France; (L.C.); (Z.M.J.); (P.N.M.); (T.D.)
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
- Unité Mixte de Service UGA hTAG, Inserm US 046, CNRS UAR 2019, 38700 La Tronche, France
- Correspondence:
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Liu X, Zhang T, Zhang C. Sitagliptin Inhibits Extracellular Matrix Accumulation and Proliferation in Lung Fibroblasts. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e922644. [PMID: 32301442 PMCID: PMC7191949 DOI: 10.12659/msm.922644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibroblasts activation-induced fibrosis can cause idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Excessive activation of fibroblasts contributes to poor healing or severe visceral fibrosis and even organ dysfunction. Sitagliptin acts as a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor to reduce glucose level in type 2 diabetes, but its role in fibrosis of lung fibroblasts is elusive. We investigated the mechanism of sitagliptin in TGF-ß-activated lung fibroblasts and evaluated the efficacy of sitagliptin in extracellular matrix accumulation and fibroblasts proliferation. MATERIAL AND METHODS By in vitro lung fibroblasts culture, we assessed the expression of lung fibroblasts biomarker (alpha-SMA) and extracellular matrix (Col-1, Col-3, fibronectin) following TGF-ß stimulation and treatment with sitagliptin. Mechanistically, the phosphorylation level of Smad-3 protein in cells was analyzed using Western blotting, and the apoptosis level was assessed by Western blotting and flow cytometry. The degree of proliferation was determined using immunofluorescence and scratch-healing assay. RESULTS We found that treatment with sitagliptin attenuates fibroblasts activation following TGF-ß stimulation. Furthermore, the extracellular matrix was decreased by sitagliptin treatment by suppressing the phosphorylation level of Smad-3 protein. We found that sitagliptin does not affect apoptosis in fibroblasts, but it does affect the degree of proliferation of lung fibroblasts, thus ameliorating fibrosis after TGF-ß stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Sitagliptin inhibits fibrosis in TGF-ß-induced lung fibroblasts activation, which restrains extracellular matrix formation and cell proliferation in fibroblasts. Therefore, sitagliptin appears to have promise as a treatment of fibroproliferative disease caused by activation and proliferation of fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuwu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi Jinluo Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Chengcai Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Linyi High-Tech Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
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Combined Treatment with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor (Canagliflozin) and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor (Teneligliptin) Alleviates NASH Progression in A Non-Diabetic Rat Model of Steatohepatitis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062164. [PMID: 32245205 PMCID: PMC7139722 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the strongest independent predictor of mortality in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related cirrhosis. The effects and mechanisms of combination of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter inhibitor and canagliflozin (CA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor and teneligliptin (TE) on non-diabetic NASH progression were examined. CA and TE suppressed choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet-induced hepatic fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. CA alone or with TE significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokine expression. CA and TE significantly attenuated hepatic lipid peroxidation. In vitro studies showed that TE alone or with CA inhibited cell proliferation and TGF-β1 and α1 (I)-procollagen mRNA expression in Ac-HSCs. CA+TE inhibited liver fibrogenesis by attenuating hepatic lipid peroxidation and inflammation and by inhibiting Ac-HSC proliferation with concomitant attenuation of hepatic lipid peroxidation. Moreover, CA+TE suppressed in vivo angiogenesis and oxidative DNA damage. CA or CA+TE inhibited HCC cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation. CA+TE suppressed vascular endothelial growth factor expression and promoted increased E-cadherin expression in HUVECs. CA+TE potentially exerts synergistic effects on hepatocarcinogenesis prevention by suppressing HCC cell proliferation and angiogenesis and concomitantly reducing oxidative stress and by inhibiting angiogenesis with attenuation of oxidative stress. CA+TE showed chemopreventive effects on NASH progression compared with single agent in non-diabetic rat model of NASH, concurrent with Ac-HSC and HCC cell proliferation, angiogenesis oxidative stress, and inflammation. Both agents are widely, safely used in clinical practice; combined treatment may represent a potential strategy against NASH.
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