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Semertzidis A, Mouskeftara T, Gika H, Pousinis P, Makedou K, Goulas A, Kountouras J, Polyzos SA. Effects of Combined Low-Dose Spironolactone Plus Vitamin E versus Vitamin E Monotherapy on Lipidomic Profile in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3798. [PMID: 38999363 PMCID: PMC11242225 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lipid dysmetabolism seems to contribute to the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to compare serum lipidomic profile between patients with NAFLD having received monotherapy with vitamin E (400 IU/d) and those having received combination therapy with vitamin E (400 IU/d) and low-dose spironolactone (25 mg/d) for 52 weeks. Methods: This was a post hoc study of a randomized controlled trial (NCT01147523). Serum lipidomic analysis was performed in vitamin E monotherapy group (n = 15) and spironolactone plus vitamin E combination therapy group (n = 12). We employed an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry lipid profiling approach in positive and negative ionization mode. Results: Univariate analysis revealed 36 lipid molecules statistically different between groups in positive mode and seven molecules in negative mode. Multivariate analysis in negative mode identified six lipid molecules that remained robustly different between groups. After adjustment for potential confounders, including gender, omega-3 supplementation, leptin concentration and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), four lipid molecules remained significant between groups: FA 20:5, SM 34:2;O2, SM 42:3;O2 and CE 22:6, all being higher in the combination treatment group. Conclusions: The combination of spironolactone with vitamin E led to higher circulating levels of four lipid molecules than vitamin E monotherapy, after adjustment for potential confounders. Owing to very limited relevant data, we could not support that these changes in lipid molecules may be beneficial or not for the progression of NAFLD. Thus, mechanistic studies are warranted to clarify the potential clinical significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Semertzidis
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomai Mouskeftara
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Helen Gika
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
- BIOMIC AUTh, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 570 01 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Petros Pousinis
- BIOMIC AUTh, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 570 01 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kali Makedou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonis Goulas
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Jannis Kountouras
- Second Medical Clinic, Ippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Ma Y, Harris J, Li P, Jiang C, Sun H, Cao H. An Integrative Transcriptome Subtraction Strategy to Identify Human lncRNAs That Specifically Play a Role in Activation of Human Hepatic Stellate Cells. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:34. [PMID: 38921831 PMCID: PMC11206700 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic liver features excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), primarily produced from "activated" hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). While targeting human HSCs (hHSCs) in fibrosis therapeutics shows promise, the overall understanding of hHSC activation remains limited, in part because it is very challenging to define the role of human long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in hHSC activation. To address this challenge, we identified another cell type that acts via a diverse gene network to promote fibrogenesis. Then, we identified the lncRNAs that were differentially regulated in activated hHSCs and the other profibrotic cell. Next, we conducted concurrent analysis to identify those lncRNAs that were specifically involved in fibrogenesis. We tested and confirmed that transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) represents such a process. By overlapping TGFβ-regulated lncRNAs in multiple sets of hHSCs and VSMCs, we identified a highly selected list of lncRNA candidates that could specifically play a role in hHSC activation. We experimentally characterized one human lncRNA, named CARMN, which was significantly regulated by TGFβ in all conditions above. CARMN knockdown significantly reduced the expression levels of a panel of marker genes for hHSC activation, as well as the levels of ECM deposition and hHSC migration. Conversely, gain of function of CARMN using CRISPR activation (CRISPR-a) yielded the completely opposite effects. Taken together, our work addresses a bottleneck in identifying human lncRNAs that specifically play a role in hHSC activation and provides a framework to effectively select human lncRNAs with significant pathophysiological role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Haiming Cao
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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3
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Du S, Chen X, Ren R, Li L, Zhang B, Wang Q, Meng Y, Qiu Z, Wang G, Zheng G, Hu J. Integration of network pharmacology, lipidomics, and transcriptomics analysis to reveal the mechanisms underlying the amelioration of AKT-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by total flavonoids in vine tea. Food Funct 2024; 15:5158-5174. [PMID: 38630029 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo00586d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main reason for chronic liver diseases and malignancies. Currently, there is a lack of approved drugs for the prevention or treatment of NAFLD. Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) has been used as a traditional Chinese beverage for centuries. Vine tea carries out several biological activities including the regulation of plasma lipids and blood glucose, hepato-protective function, and anti-tumor activity and contains the highest content of flavonoids. However, the underlying mechanisms of total flavonoids from vine tea (TF) in the attenuation of NAFLD remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the interventions and mechanisms of TF in mice with NAFLD using an integrated analysis of network pharmacology, lipidomics, and transcriptomics. Staining and biochemical tests revealed a significant increase in AKT-overexpression-induced (abbreviated as AKT-induced) NAFLD in mice. Lipid accumulation in hepatic intracellular vacuoles was alleviated after TF treatment. In addition, TF reduced the hepatic and serum triglyceride levels in mice with AKT-induced NAFLD. Lipidomics results showed 32 differential lipids in the liver, mainly including triglycerides (TG), diglycerides (DG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 314 differentially expressed genes were commonly upregulated in the AKT group and downregulated in the TF group. The differential regulation of lipids by the genes Pparg, Scd1, Chpt1, Dgkz, and Pla2g12b was further revealed by network enrichment analysis and confirmed by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect changes in the protein levels of the key proteins PPARγ and SCD1. In summary, TF can improve hepatic steatosis by targeting the PPAR signaling pathway, thereby reducing de novo fatty acid synthesis and modulating the glycerophospholipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Du
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rumeng Ren
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Li
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Baohui Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Meng
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenpeng Qiu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guihong Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guohua Zheng
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Huang S, Li Y, Wang B, Zhou Z, Li Y, Shen L, Cong J, Han L, Xiang X, Xia J, He D, Zhao Z, Zhou Y, Li Q, Dai G, Shen H, Lin T, Wu A, Jia J, Xiao D, Li J, Zhao W, Lin X. Hepatocyte-specific METTL3 ablation by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), resulted in acute liver failure (ALF) and postnatal lethality. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:7217-7248. [PMID: 38656880 PMCID: PMC11087113 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
AIM In 2019, to examine the functions of METTL3 in liver and underlying mechanisms, we generated mice with hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous knockout (METTL3Δhep) by simultaneously crossing METTL3fl/fl mice with Alb-iCre mice (GPT) or Alb-Cre mice (JAX), respectively. In this study, we explored the potential reasons why hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous disruption by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), resulted in acute liver failure (ALF) and then postnatal lethality. MAIN METHODS Mice with hepatocyte-specific METTL3 knockout were generated by simultaneously crossing METTL3fl/fl mice with Alb-iCre mice (GPT; Strain No. T003814) purchased from the GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., (Nanjing, China) or with Alb-Cre mice (JAX; Strain No. 003574) obtained from The Jackson Laboratory, followed by combined-phenotype analysis. The publicly available RNA-sequencing data deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database under the accession No.: GSE198512 (postnatal lethality), GSE197800 (postnatal survival) and GSE176113 (postnatal survival) were mined to explore the potential reasons why hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous deletion by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), leads to ALF and then postnatal lethality. KEY FINDINGS Firstly, we observed that hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous deficiency by Alb-iCre mice (GPT) or by Alb-Cre mice (JAX) caused liver injury, abnormal lipid accumulation and apoptosis. Secondly, we are surprised to find that hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous deletion by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), led to ALF and then postnatal lethality. Our findings clearly demonstrated that METTL3Δhep mice (GPT), which are about to die, exhibited the severe destruction of liver histological structure, suggesting that METTL3Δhep mice (GPT) nearly lose normal liver function, which subsequently contributes to ALF, followed by postnatal lethality. Finally, we unexpectedly found that as the compensatory growth responses of hepatocytes to liver injury induced by METTL3Δhep (GPT), the proliferation of METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (GPT), unlike METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (JAX), was not evidenced by the significant increase of Ki67-positive hepatocytes, not accompanied by upregulation of cell-cycle-related genes. Moreover, GO analysis revealed that upregulated genes in METTL3Δhep livers (GPT), unlike METTL3Δhep livers (JAX), are not functionally enriched in terms associated with cell cycle, cell division, mitosis, microtubule cytoskeleton organization, spindle organization, chromatin segregation and organization, and nuclear division, consistent with the loss of compensatory proliferation of METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (GPT) observed in vivo. Thus, obviously, the loss of the compensatory growth capacity of METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (GPT) in response to liver injury might contribute to, at least partially, ALF and subsequently postnatal lethality of METTL3Δhep mice (GPT). SIGNIFICANCE These findings from this study and other labs provide strong evidence that these phenotypes (i.e., ALF and postnatal lethality) of METTL3Δhep mice (GPT) might be not the real functions of METTL3, and closely related with Alb-iCre mice (GPT), suggesting that we should remind researchers to use Alb-iCre mice (GPT) with caution to knockout gene in hepatocytes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Huang
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yingchun Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
| | - Bingjie Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhihao Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yonglong Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lingjun Shen
- Department of Tuberculosis, Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Jinge Cong
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liuxin Han
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Xudong Xiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Jiawei Xia
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Danhua He
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhanlin Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiwen Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guanqi Dai
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hanzhang Shen
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Taoyan Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Aibing Wu
- Central People’s Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Junshuang Jia
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Li
- Radiotherapy Center, the First People’s Hospital of Chenzhou, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423000, China
| | - Wentao Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Xiaolin Lin
- Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to discuss the most recent evidence exploring the role of lipid droplets in steatotic liver disease (SLD). We highlight the breadth of mechanisms by which lipid droplets may contribute to the progression of SLD with a particular focus on the role of lipid droplets as inducers of mechanical stress within hepatocytes and genetic mutations in lipid droplet associated proteins. Finally, this review provides an update on clinical trials exploring the therapeutic potential and strategies targeting lipid droplets. RECENT FINDINGS The size, composition and location of hepatic lipid droplets strongly influence the pathological role of these organelles in SLD. Emerging studies are beginning to elucidate the importance of lipid droplet induced hepatocyte mechanical stress. Novel strategies targeting lipid droplets, including the effects of lipid droplet associated protein mutations, show promising therapeutic potential. SUMMARY Much more than a histological feature, lipid droplets are complex heterogenous organelles crucial to cellular metabolism with important causative roles in the development and progression of SLD. Lipid droplet induced mechanical stress may exacerbate hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis and potentially contribute to the development of a pro-carcinogenic hepatic environment. The integration of advancements in genetics and molecular biology in upcoming treatments aspires to transcend symptomatic alleviation and address the fundamental causes and pathological development of SLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Bilson
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Eleonora Scorletti
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Sánchez V, Baumann A, Brandt A, Wodak MF, Staltner R, Bergheim I. Oral Supplementation of Phosphatidylcholine Attenuates the Onset of a Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis in Female C57BL/6J Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:785-800. [PMID: 38262589 PMCID: PMC10966192 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Changes in phosphatidylcholine levels in the liver have been associated with the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Here, the effects of supplementing phosphatidylcholine on the development of early signs of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis were assessed. METHODS Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed a liquid control or a fructose-, fat-, and/or cholesterol-rich diet for 7 or 8 weeks. The diets of female mice were fortified ± phosphatidylcholine (12.5 mg/g diet). In liver tissue and portal blood, indices of liver damage, inflammation, and bacterial endotoxemia were measured. J774A.1 cells and human monocytes preincubated with phosphatidylcholine (0.38 mmol/L) were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (50-100 ng/mL) ± the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) activator pioglitazone (10 μmol/L) or ± a liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) antagonist 1-(3'-[1-(2-[4-morpholinyl]ethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-3-biphenylyl)ethanon (1-10 μmol/L). RESULTS In fructose-, fat-, and/or cholesterol-rich diet-fed mice the development of fatty liver and the beginning of inflammation were associated with significantly lower hepatic phosphatidylcholine levels when compared with controls. Supplementing phosphatidylcholine significantly attenuated the development of fatty liver and inflammation, being associated with protection against the induction of PPARγ2, and activation of nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cell inhibitor α whereas Lrh1 expression was unchanged. The protective effects of phosphatidylcholine on the lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of J774A.1 cells and human monocytes were attenuated significantly by the PPARγ activator pioglitazone and the LRH-1 antagonist. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that phosphatidylcholine levels in the liver are lower in early metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in mice and that supplementation of phosphatidylcholine can diminish the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease through mechanisms involving LRH-1/PPARγ2/ nuclear factor κ-light-chain enhancer of activated B-cell signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Sánchez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Baumann
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annette Brandt
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian F Wodak
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raphaela Staltner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ina Bergheim
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Li M, Wang H, Zhang XJ, Cai J, Li H. NAFLD: An Emerging Causal Factor for Cardiovascular Disease. Physiology (Bethesda) 2023; 38:0. [PMID: 37431986 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00013.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide that poses a significant threat to human health. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in NAFLD patients. NAFLD and CVD share risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, whether NAFLD is a causal risk factor for CVD remains a matter of debate. This review summarizes the evidence from prospective clinical and Mendelian randomization studies that underscore the potential causal relationship between NAFLD and CVD. The mechanisms of NAFLD contributing to the development of CVD and the necessity of addressing CVD risk while managing NAFLD in clinical practice are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongmin Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingjing Cai
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongliang Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Dai G, Huang S, Li Y, Tu X, Xia J, Zhou Z, Chen W, Zhang A, Lin J, Li Y, He D, Lin T, Cong J, Lei Y, Han L, Yao Z, Liu W, Zhou Y, Li Q, Li J, Zhang Y, Wu A, Xiao D, Wang W, Zhao W, Jia J, Lin X. Mettl3-mediated m 6A modification plays a role in lipid metabolism disorders and progressive liver damage in mice by regulating lipid metabolism-related gene expression. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:5550-5568. [PMID: 37335109 PMCID: PMC10333091 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
AIMS N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant and conserved epigenetic modification of mRNA, participates in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the roles of m6A modification in liver lipid metabolism have yet to be understood entirely. We aimed to investigate the roles of the m6A "writer" protein methyltransferase-like 3 (Mettl3) in liver lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanisms. MAIN METHODS We assessed the expression of Mettl3 in liver tissues of diabetes (db/db) mice, obese (ob/ob) mice, high saturated fat-, cholesterol-, and fructose-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice, and alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) mice by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Hepatocyte-specific Mettl3 knockout mice were used to evaluate the effects of Mettl3 deficiency in mouse liver. The molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of Mettl3 deletion in liver lipid metabolism were explored by multi-omics joint analysis of public data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and further validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot. KEY FINDINGS Significantly decreased Mettl3 expression was associated with NAFLD progression. Hepatocyte-specific knockout of Mettl3 resulted in significant lipid accumulation in the liver, increased serum total cholesterol levels, and progressive liver damage in mice. Mechanistically, loss of Mettl3 significantly downregulated the expression levels of multiple m6A-modified mRNAs related to lipid metabolism, including Adh7, Cpt1a, and Cyp7a1, further promoting lipid metabolism disorders and liver injury in mice. SIGNIFICANCE In summary, our findings demonstrate that the expression alteration of genes related to lipid metabolism by Mettl3-mediated m6A modification contributes to the development of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqi Dai
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shihao Huang
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yonglong Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xueyi Tu
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiawei Xia
- The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Zhihao Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wanyi Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ao Zhang
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jintao Lin
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yingchun Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Danhua He
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Taoyan Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinge Cong
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ye Lei
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liuxin Han
- The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Zhenxia Yao
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiwen Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Li
- Radiotherapy Center, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423000, China
| | - Yuqin Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Aibing Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wanshan Wang
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wentao Zhao
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Junshuang Jia
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaolin Lin
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
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9
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Huang J, Sigon G, Mullish BH, Wang D, Sharma R, Manousou P, Forlano R. Applying Lipidomics to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Clinical Perspective. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081992. [PMID: 37111211 PMCID: PMC10143024 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated complications, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is growing worldwide, due to the epidemics of metabolic risk factors, such as obesity and type II diabetes. Among other factors, an aberrant lipid metabolism represents a crucial step in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the development of HCC in this population. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the application of translational lipidomics in NAFLD patients and NAFLD associated HCC in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Huang
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W21NY, UK
| | - Giordano Sigon
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W21NY, UK
| | - Benjamin H Mullish
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W21NY, UK
| | - Dan Wang
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W21NY, UK
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W21NY, UK
| | - Pinelopi Manousou
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W21NY, UK
| | - Roberta Forlano
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W21NY, UK
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10
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Sinha RA. Autophagy: A Cellular Guardian against Hepatic Lipotoxicity. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:553. [PMID: 36874473 PMCID: PMC7614268 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipotoxicity is a phenomenon of lipid-induced cellular injury in nonadipose tissue. Excess of free saturated fatty acids (SFAs) contributes to hepatic injury in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has been growing at an unprecedented rate in recent years. SFAs and their derivatives such as ceramides and membrane phospholipids have been shown to induce intrahepatic oxidative damage and ER stress. Autophagy represents a cellular housekeeping mechanism to counter the perturbation in organelle function and activation of stress signals within the cell. Several aspects of autophagy, including lipid droplet assembly, lipophagy, mitophagy, redox signaling and ER-phagy, play a critical role in mounting a strong defense against lipotoxic lipid species within the hepatic cells. This review provides a succinct overview of our current understanding of autophagy-lipotoxicity interaction and its pharmacological and nonpharmacological modulation in treating NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Anthony Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
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11
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Recent updates on targeting the molecular mediators of NAFLD. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:101-124. [PMID: 36792729 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common disease worldwide in an era of rapid economic growth. NAFLD is a multifactorial disease, involving multiple genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors, and is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. NAFLD can be classified into nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can both progress to cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to the enormous burden of NAFLD and its complications, no FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of NAFLD are on the market, and therapeutic targets and drug therapies are being actively investigated. In view of the various pathological mechanisms of NAFLD, numbers of preclinical studies and clinical trials have made rapid progress. This review mainly summarizes the most recently characterized mechanisms and therapeutic targets in each mechanism of NAFLD, focusing on the mechanism and application potential.
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