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Tuero C, Becerril S, Ezquerro S, Neira G, Frühbeck G, Rodríguez A. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective role of ghrelin against NAFLD progression. J Physiol Biochem 2023; 79:833-849. [PMID: 36417140 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-022-00933-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms for the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are complex and multifactorial. Within the last years, experimental and clinical evidences support the role of ghrelin in the development of NAFLD. Ghrelin is a gut hormone that plays a major role in the short-term regulation of appetite and long-term regulation of adiposity. The liver constitutes a target for ghrelin, where this gut-derived peptide triggers intracellular pathways regulating lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Interestingly, circulating ghrelin levels are altered in patients with metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which, in turn, are well-known risk factors for the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This review summarizes the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the hepatoprotective action of ghrelin, including the reduction of hepatocyte lipotoxicity via autophagy and fatty acid β-oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress and programmed cell death, the reversibility of the proinflammatory phenotype in Kupffer cells, and the inactivation of hepatic stellate cells. Together, the metabolic and inflammatory pathways regulated by ghrelin in the liver support its potential as a therapeutic target to prevent NAFLD in patients with metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Tuero
- Department of General Surgery, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara Becerril
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de La Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvia Ezquerro
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
| | - Gabriela Neira
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
| | - Gema Frühbeck
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de La Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Amaia Rodríguez
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain.
- CIBER Fisiopatología de La Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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Kasprzak A, Adamek A. Role of the Ghrelin System in Colitis and Hepatitis as Risk Factors for Inflammatory-Related Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911188. [PMID: 36232490 PMCID: PMC9569806 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It is not known exactly what leads to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there are specific risk factors that increase the probability of their occurrence. The unclear pathogenesis, too-late diagnosis, poor prognosis as a result of high recurrence and metastasis rates, and repeatedly ineffective therapy of both cancers continue to challenge both basic science and practical medicine. The ghrelin system, which is comprised of ghrelin and alternative peptides (e.g., obestatin), growth hormone secretagogue receptors (GHS-Rs), and ghrelin-O-acyl-transferase (GOAT), plays an important role in the physiology and pathology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It promotes various physiological effects, including energy metabolism and amelioration of inflammation. The ghrelin system plays a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which are well known risk factors for the development of CRC, as well as inflammatory liver diseases which can trigger the development of HCC. Colitis-associated cancer serves as a prototype of inflammation-associated cancers. Little is known about the role of the ghrelin system in the mechanisms of transformation of chronic inflammation to low- and high-grade dysplasia, and, finally, to CRC. HCC is also associated with chronic inflammation and fibrosis arising from different etiologies, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and/or hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. However, the exact role of ghrelin in the progression of the chronic inflammatory lesions into HCC is still unknown. The aim of this review is to summarize findings on the role of the ghrelin system in inflammatory bowel and liver diseases in order to better understand the impact of this system on the development of inflammatory-related cancers, namely CRC and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Kasprzak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Medical Sciences, Święcicki Street 6, 60-781 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-8546441; Fax: +48-61-8546440
| | - Agnieszka Adamek
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, University of Medical Sciences, Szwajcarska Street 3, 61-285 Poznań, Poland
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Role of the Ghrelin System in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105380. [PMID: 35628187 PMCID: PMC9141034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ghrelin system contains several components (e.g., ghrelin with growing number of alternative peptides, growth hormone secretagogue receptors (GHS-Rs), and ghrelin-O-acyl-transferase (GOAT) and participates in regulation of a number of key processes of gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer progression, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. However, its exact role in promoting or inhibiting cancer progression is still unclear. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignancies worldwide. Molecular studies suggest an autocrine/paracrine mechanism for the secretion of ghrelin in colorectal carcinogenesis and its contribution to its initial stages. However, the signalling pathways of CRC development involving the ghrelin system are poorly understood. Potential mechanisms of colon carcinogenesis involving components of the ghrelin system were previously described in an animal model and in in vitro studies. However, the diagnostic–prognostic role of serum ghrelin concentrations, tissue expression, or genetic changes of this system in various stages of CRC progression remains an open case. Thus, the aim of this study is to discuss the role of the ghrelin system in colon carcinogenesis, diagnostics and CRC prognostics, as well as the results of studies on the use of ghrelin and its analogues in the therapy of CRC-related syndromes (e.g., cachexia and sarcopenia).
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Rasineni K, Casey CA, Kharbanda KK. Reply to "Letter to Editor: Chronic alcohol exposure alters circulating insulin and ghrelin levels in hepatic steatosis: a translational research perspective". Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2019; 317:G361-G362. [PMID: 31461305 PMCID: PMC6774088 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00143.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karuna Rasineni
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Carol A Casey
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
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