Antifibrotic activity of anisodamine in vivo is associated with changed intrahepatic levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its inhibitor tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 and transforming growth factor beta1 in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

The relationship between the cholinergic mechanism of toxicity and oxidative stress in rats during subacute diazinon poisoning

Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide (OP) that has significant potential for accidental and intentional poisoning of wildlife, domestic animals and humans. The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between cholinesterase activity and oxidative stress parameters in liver and diaphragm by continuous monitoring as a function of time during prolonged use of diazinon. Wistar rats were treated orally with diazinon (55 mg/kg/day): 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. At the end of each period, blood, liver and diaphragm were collected to examine cholinesterase activity and enzymatic/non-enzymatic oxidative stress parameters: superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl groups. In all four time periods, there was a significant change in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in blood plasma, CAT in liver and diaphragm and SOD1 in diaphragm. Parameters significantly altered during the cholinergic crisis included: cholinesterases and TBARS in liver and diaphragm and partially SOD1 in liver. Protein carbonyl groups in liver and diaphragm were significantly altered outside the cholinergic crisis. In the liver, there was a very strong negative correlation between BuChE and TBARS in all four time periods and BuChE and CAT on day 7. In the diaphragm, a very strong negative correlation was found between AChE and TBARS at days 7 and 14, and a very strong positive correlation between AChE and SOD1 at days 14, 21 and 28. A better understanding of the relationship between cholinergic overstimulation and oxidative stress may help to better assess health status in prolonged OPs intoxication.

Update on the sources, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological action, and clinical application of anisodamine

Anisodamine is an anticholinergic drug extracted and isolated from the Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher of the Solanaceae family which is also a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Owing to the lack of natural sources of anisodamine, synthetic products are now used. Using ornithine and arginine as precursor compounds, putrescine is catalyzed by different enzymes and then undergoes a series of reactions to produce anisodamine. It has been used clinically to protect cardiac function and treat septic shock, acute pancreatitis, calculous renal colic, bronchial asthma, blood circulation disturbances, jaundice, analgesia, vertigo, acute poisoning, and other conditions.This review describes the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters. Anisodamine is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and it is not as effective as intravenous administration. For clinical medication, intravenous infusion should be used rather than rapid intravenous injection. With the advancement of research in recent years, the application scope of anisodamine has expanded, with significant developments and application values surging.This review systematically describes the sources, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological effects and clinical application of anisodamine, in order to provide a basis for clinical use.

Protective effect of anisodamine on bleomycin-induced acute lung injury in immature rats via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Background

Pediatric acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common causes of infant mortality. Although lung-protective strategies have developed in recent years, no ALI treatment is currently available. Anisodamine (Ani) is a common drug used to treat gastrointestinal smooth muscle spasm. The protective effects of Ani against acute kidney injury and myocardial injury have been reported. However, the efficacy of Ani on bleomycin (BLM)-induced ALI has not been examined previously. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of Ani on bleomycin (BLM)-induced ALI on immature rats.

Methods

The ALI rat model was established by intratracheally administration of BLM. Ani treatment was performed by an intravenous injection at different concentrations. The lung function of each rat was measured, and then lung tissue structures, apoptosis, and collagen deposition were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling assay, and Masson’s staining, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins and fibrosis-related markers was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and/or Western blot analysis. Finally, the expression levels of Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were determined.

Results

Our findings indicated that lung function was remarkably decreased in BLM-induced rats, which could be reversed by Ani. Ani treatment increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, decreased the apoptotic rate and apoptosis-related proteins, and downregulated the expression of fibrosis-related markers. Additionally, Ani treatment also attenuated inflammatory response and suppressed the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that Ani had potent activity against BLM-induced ALI in immature rats through inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings provide supporting evidence to further investigate the therapeutic effect of Ani against ALI in children.

Anisodamine Maintains the Stability of Intervertebral Disc Tissue by Inhibiting the Senescence of Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Degradation of Extracellular Matrix via Interleukin-6/Janus Kinases/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Pathway

Objectives: Anisodamine (ANI) has been used to treat a variety of diseases. However, the study of ANI in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is unclear. This study investigated the effects of ANI on degenerative nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and IVDD rats, and its possible mechanisms. Methods: Human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs) were treated with IL-1β (20 ng/ml) to simulate IVDD, and an IVDD rat model was constructed. IL-1β-induced HNPCs were treated with different concentrations (10, 20, or 40 μM) of ANI, and IVDD rats were also treated with ANI (1 mg/kg). Results: ANI treatment significantly reduced the apoptosis, caspase-3 and SA-β-gal activities, and p53 and p21 proteins expression, while promoted telomerase activity and aggrecan and collagen II synthesis in IL-1β-induced HNPCs. Moreover, the introduction of ANI inhibited the expression of IL-6, phosphorylation of JAK and STAT3, and nuclear translocation of p-STAT3 in Degenerated HNPCs. Additionally, the application of ANI abolished the effects of IL-6 on apoptosis, SA-β-gal and telomerase activity, and the expression of p53, p21, aggrecan and collagen II proteins in degenerated HNPCs. Simultaneously, ANI treatment enhanced the effects of AG490 (inhibitor of JAK/STAT3 pathway) on IL-1β-induced apoptosis, senescence and ECM degradation in HNPCs. Furthermore, ANI treatment markedly inhibited the apoptosis and senescence in the nucleus pulposus of IVDD rats, while promoted the synthesis of aggrecan and collagen II. ANI treatment obviously inhibited JAK and STAT3 phosphorylation and inhibited nuclear translocation of p-STAT3 in IVDD rats. Conclusion: ANI inhibited the senescence and ECM degradation of NPCs by regulating the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway to improve the function of NPCs in IVDD, which may provide new ideas for the treatment of IVDD.

Network Pharmacology Integrated Molecular Docking Reveals the Mechanism of Anisodamine Hydrobromide Injection against Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China, was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Anisodamine hydrobromide injection (AHI), the main ingredient of which is anisodamine, is a listed drug for improving microcirculation in China. Anisodamine can improve the condition of patients with COVID-19.

Materials and Methods

Protein-protein interactions obtained from the String databases were used to construct the protein interaction network (PIN) of AHI using Cytoscape. The crucial targets of AHI PIN were screened by calculating three topological parameters. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The intersection between the AHI component proteins and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) coexpression proteins was analyzed. We further investigated our predictions of crucial targets by performing molecular docking studies with anisodamine.

Results

The PIN of AHI, including 172 nodes and 1454 interactions, was constructed. A total of 54 crucial targets were obtained based on topological feature calculations. The results of Gene Ontology showed that AHI could regulate cell death, cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, and immune system processes. KEGG disease pathways were mainly enriched in viral infections, cancer, and immune system diseases. Between AHI targets and ACE2 coexpression proteins, 26 common proteins were obtained. The results of molecular docking showed that anisodamine bound well to all the crucial targets.

Conclusion

The network pharmacological strategy integrated molecular docking to explore the mechanism of action of AHI against COVID-19. It provides protein targets associated with COVID-19 that may be further tested as therapeutic targets of anisodamine.

Group II muscarinic acetylcholine receptors attenuate hepatic injury via Nrf2/ARE pathway

Parasympathetic nervous system dysfunction is common in patients with liver disease. We have previously shown that muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchRs) play an important role in the regulation of hepatic fibrosis and that the receptor agonists and antagonists affect hepatocyte proliferation. However, little is known about the impact of the different mAchR subtypes and associated signaling pathways on liver injury. Here, we treated the human liver cell line HL7702 with 10 mmol/L carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) to induce hepatocyte damage. We found that CCL4 treatment increased the protein levels of group I mAchRs (M1, M3, M5) but reduced the expression of group II mAchRs (M2, M4) and activated the Nrf2/ARE and MAPK signaling pathways. Although overexpression of M1, M3, or M5 led to hepatocyte damage with an intact Nrf2/ARE pathway, overexpression of M2 or M4 increased, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of either M2 or M4 decreased the protein levels of Nrf2 and its downstream target genes. Moreover, CCL4 treatment increased serum ALT levels more significantly, but only induced slight changes in the expression of mAchRs, NQO1 and HO1, while reducing the expression of M2 and M4 in liver tissues of Nrf2-/- mice compared to wild type mice. Our findings suggest that group II mAchRs, M2 and M4, activate the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, which regulates the expression of M2 and M4, to protect the liver from CCL4-induced injury.

Hepatic Autonomic Nervous System and Neurotrophic Factors Regulate the Pathogenesis and Progression of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represents a continuum of excessive hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. It is a growing epidemic in the United States of America and worldwide. Progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can lead to morbidity and mortality due to complications such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is centered on increased hepatic lipogenesis and decreased hepatic lipolysis in the setting of hepatic and systemic insulin resistance. Adipose tissue and hepatic inflammation can further perpetuate the severity of illness. Currently there are no approved therapies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Most of the drugs being explored for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease focus on classical pathogenic pathways surrounding hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation or fibrosis. Studies have demonstrated that the autonomic nervous system innervating the liver plays a crucial role in regulation of hepatic lipid homeostasis, inflammation and fibrosis. Additionally, there is growing evidence that neurotrophic factors can modulate all stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Both the autonomic nervous system and neurotrophic factors are altered in patients and murine models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this review we focus on the pathophysiological role of the autonomic nervous system and neurotrophic factors that could be potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Shear wave elastography results correlate with liver fibrosis histology and liver function reserve

AIM: To evaluate the correlation of shear wave elastography (SWE) results with liver fibrosis histology and quantitative function reserve.

METHODS: Weekly subcutaneous injection of 60% carbon tetrachloride (1.5 mL/kg) was given to 12 canines for 24 wk to induce experimental liver fibrosis, with olive oil given to 2 control canines. At 24 wk, liver condition was evaluated using clinical biochemistry assays, SWE imaging, lidocaine metabolite monoethylglycine-xylidide (MEGX) test, and histologic fibrosis grading. Clinical biochemistry assays were performed at the institutional central laboratory for routine liver function evaluation. Liver stiffness was measured in triplicate from three different intercostal spaces and expressed as mean liver stiffness modulus (LSM). Plasma concentrations of lidocaine and its metabolite MEGX were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography repeated in duplicate. Liver biopsy samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, and liver fibrosis was graded using the modified histological activity index Knodell score (F0-F4). Correlations among histologic grading, LSM, and MEGX measures were analyzed with the Pearson linear correlation coefficient.

RESULTS: At 24 wk liver fibrosis histologic grading was as follows: F0, n = 2 (control); F1, n = 0; F2, n = 3; F3, n = 7; and F4, n = 2. SWE LSM was positively correlated with histologic grading (r = 0.835, P < 0.001). Specifically, the F4 group had a significantly higher elastic modulus than the F3, F2, and F0 groups (P = 0.002, P = 0.003, and P = 0.006, respectively), and the F3 group also had a significantly higher modulus than the control F0 group (P = 0.039). LSM was negatively associated with plasma MEGX concentrations at 30 min (r = -0.642; P = 0.013) and 60 min (r = -0.651; P = 0.012), time to ½ of the maximum concentration (r = -0.538; P = 0.047), and the area under the curve (r = -0.636; P = 0.014). Multiple comparisons showed identical differences in these three measures: significantly lower with F4 (P = 0.037) and F3 (P = 0.032) as compared to F0 and significantly lower with F4 as compared to F2 (P = 0.032).

CONCLUSION: SWE LSM shows a good correlation with histologic fibrosis grading and pharmacologic quantitative liver function reserve in experimental severe fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Reversal of liver fibrosis by the antagonism of endocannabinoid CB1 receptor in a rat model of CCl(4)-induced advanced cirrhosis

The endocannabinoid system is involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Although many substances have been proved to reduce fibrosis in experimental models of chronic liver injury, most of them appear to be effective only if given as a prophylactic or early treatment. This study aimed to explore the effect of pharmacological antagonism of the endocannabinoid cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor started after the stage of full-blown cirrhosis had been reached. Wistar-Han rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced cirrhosis were randomized to receive the CB1 receptor antagonist Rimonabant (10 mg/kg/day) or the vehicle for 2 weeks. Age-matched healthy rats served as controls. Liver fibrosis was assessed using Sirius red staining, hydroxyproline concentration and α-smooth muscle actin expression. Hepatic gene expression of mediators of fibrogenesis and inflammation were evaluated by real-time PCR. We also assessed the hepatic expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors and that of the enzymes implicated in the endocannabinoid metabolism. Fibrosis was significantly reduced in rats treated with Rimonabant compared with rats receiving the vehicle. CB1 receptor antagonism limited the gene upregulation of fibrogenic and inflammatory mediators occurring in untreated cirrhotic rats. CB1 and CB2 receptor expression was increased in cirrhotic animals. Interestingly, pharmacological CB1 receptor antagonism was associated with a further induction of the CB2 receptor expression. Regression of fibrosis can be achieved by pharmacological blockade of the CB1 receptor even when started in an advanced stage of the disease. This effect is associated with the suppression of pro-fibrogenic and inflammatory mediators and may have been indirectly favoured by the induction of CB2 receptor expression.

N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporine attenuates CCl -induced liver fibrosis in rats by interacting with cyclophilin B and D

BACKGROUND AND AIM

N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporine (NIM811), a new analogue of cyclosporine A, can inhibit collagen deposition in vitro and reduce liver necrosis in a bile-duct-ligation animal model. However, whether NIM811 effects on CCl(4) -induced rat liver fibrosis, and the related mechanism has not been determined.

METHODS

A liver fibrosis model was induced in Wistar rats using CCl(4) for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, two different doses of NIM811 (low-dose 10 mg/kg and high-dose 20 mg/kg) were given to the CCl(4) -treated rats. Liver fibrosis was then evaluated according to histopathological scoring and liver hydroxyproline content. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and albumin levels, expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, α-smooth muscle actin and cyclophilin B and D in liver tissue were determined. Cyclophilin B and D were also studied in an hepatic stellate cell line.

RESULTS

Hydroxyproline content was decreased in both NIM811 groups compared with the model (P < 0.05). Liver necrosis and fibrosis were also attenuated in the NIM811 groups. NIM811 suppressed the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, transforming growth factor beta mRNA and α-smooth muscle actin protein in liver tissue. Expression of cyclophilin B in the fibrosis model was increased compared with the normal group (P < 0.05), and was decreased significantly in the low-dose NIM811 treatment group (P < 0.05), which indicated that cyclophilin B might have a profibrotic effect. In vitro studies revealed that cyclophilin B and/or D knockout were associated with collagen inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

NIM811 attenuates liver fibrosis in a CCl(4)-induced rat liver fibrosis model, which may be related to binding with cyclophilin B and D.