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Fresnais L, Perin O, Riu A, Grall R, Ott A, Fromenty B, Gallardo JC, Stingl M, Frainay C, Jourdan F, Poupin N. A strategy to detect metabolic changes induced by exposure to chemicals from large sets of condition-specific metabolic models computed with enumeration techniques. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:234. [PMID: 38992584 PMCID: PMC11238488 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05845-z] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growing abundance of in vitro omics data, coupled with the necessity to reduce animal testing in the safety assessment of chemical compounds and even eliminate it in the evaluation of cosmetics, highlights the need for adequate computational methodologies. Data from omics technologies allow the exploration of a wide range of biological processes, therefore providing a better understanding of mechanisms of action (MoA) related to chemical exposure in biological systems. However, the analysis of these large datasets remains difficult due to the complexity of modulations spanning multiple biological processes. RESULTS To address this, we propose a strategy to reduce information overload by computing, based on transcriptomics data, a comprehensive metabolic sub-network reflecting the metabolic impact of a chemical. The proposed strategy integrates transcriptomic data to a genome scale metabolic network through enumeration of condition-specific metabolic models hence translating transcriptomics data into reaction activity probabilities. Based on these results, a graph algorithm is applied to retrieve user readable sub-networks reflecting the possible metabolic MoA (mMoA) of chemicals. This strategy has been implemented as a three-step workflow. The first step consists in building cell condition-specific models reflecting the metabolic impact of each exposure condition while taking into account the diversity of possible optimal solutions with a partial enumeration algorithm. In a second step, we address the challenge of analyzing thousands of enumerated condition-specific networks by computing differentially activated reactions (DARs) between the two sets of enumerated possible condition-specific models. Finally, in the third step, DARs are grouped into clusters of functionally interconnected metabolic reactions, representing possible mMoA, using the distance-based clustering and subnetwork extraction method. The first part of the workflow was exemplified on eight molecules selected for their known human hepatotoxic outcomes associated with specific MoAs well described in the literature and for which we retrieved primary human hepatocytes transcriptomic data in Open TG-GATEs. Then, we further applied this strategy to more precisely model and visualize associated mMoA for two of these eight molecules (amiodarone and valproic acid). The approach proved to go beyond gene-based analysis by identifying mMoA when few genes are significantly differentially expressed (2 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for amiodarone), bringing additional information from the network topology, or when very large number of genes were differentially expressed (5709 DEGs for valproic acid). In both cases, the results of our strategy well fitted evidence from the literature regarding known MoA. Beyond these confirmations, the workflow highlighted potential other unexplored mMoA. CONCLUSION The proposed strategy allows toxicology experts to decipher which part of cellular metabolism is expected to be affected by the exposition to a given chemical. The approach originality resides in the combination of different metabolic modelling approaches (constraint based and graph modelling). The application to two model molecules shows the strong potential of the approach for interpretation and visual mining of complex omics in vitro data. The presented strategy is freely available as a python module ( https://pypi.org/project/manamodeller/ ) and jupyter notebooks ( https://github.com/LouisonF/MANA ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Louison Fresnais
- UMR1331 Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France.
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France.
| | - Olivier Perin
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Anne Riu
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Romain Grall
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Alban Ott
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Bernard Fromenty
- Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1317, UMR_S 1241, INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Clément Gallardo
- UMR1331 Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Maximilian Stingl
- UMR1331 Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Clément Frainay
- UMR1331 Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Fabien Jourdan
- UMR1331 Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
- MetaboHUB-MetaToul, National Infrastructure of Metabolomics and Fluxomics, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Poupin
- UMR1331 Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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Petrović D, Ilić MD, Simonović D, Stojanović M, Stanković M, Stanišić S, Stojanović S, Arsić N, Sokolović DT. The role of melatonin in preventing amiodarone-induced rat liver damage. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2024; 102:374-382. [PMID: 38079620 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2023-0253] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Long-term exposure to amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic drug, can induce different organ damage, including liver. Cell damage included by amiodarone is a consequence of mitochondrial damage, reactive oxygen species production, and cell energy depletion leading to programmed cell death. In the present study, hepatoprotective potential of neurohormone melatonin (50 mg/kg/day) was evaluated in a chronic experimental model of liver damage induced by a 4-week application of amiodarone (70 mg/kg/day). The obtained results indicate that amiodarone induces an increase in xanthine oxidase activity, as well as the content of the lipid and protein oxidatively modified products and p53 levels. Microscopic analysis further corroborated the biochemical findings revealing hepatocyte degeneration, apoptosis, and occasional necrosis, with the activation of Kupffer cells. Coadministration of melatonin and amiodaron prevented an increase in certain damage associated parameters, due to its multiple targets. In conclusion, the application of melatonin together with amiodarone prevented an increase in tissue oxidative damage parameters and moderately prevented liver cell apoptosis, indicating that the damage of hepatocytes provoked by amiodarone supersedes the protective properties of melatonin in a given dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Petrović
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation, University of Niš, Niška Banja, Niš, Serbia
| | - Marina Deljanin Ilić
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation, University of Niš, Niška Banja, Niš, Serbia
| | - Dejan Simonović
- Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation, University of Niš, Niška Banja, Niš, Serbia
| | - Milovan Stojanović
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation, University of Niš, Niška Banja, Niš, Serbia
| | - Milica Stanković
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinical Centre Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Slaviša Stanišić
- Department of Obstetrics and Gyanaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
| | - Sanja Stojanović
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation, University of Niš, Niška Banja, Niš, Serbia
| | - Nebojša Arsić
- Dom zdravlja Medveđa, Šetalište 5, 16240 Medveđa, Serbia
| | - Dušan T Sokolović
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
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Allard J, Bucher S, Ferron PJ, Launay Y, Fromenty B. Busulfan induces steatosis in HepaRG cells but not in primary human hepatocytes: Possible explanations and implication for the prediction of drug-induced liver injury. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:152-167. [PMID: 37665028 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12951] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antineoplastic drug busulfan can induce different hepatic lesions including cholestasis and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. However, hepatic steatosis has never been reported in patients. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine whether busulfan could induce steatosis in primary human hepatocytes (PHH) and differentiated HepaRG cells. METHODS Neutral lipids were determined in PHH and HepaRG cells. Mechanistic investigations were performed in HepaRG cells by measuring metabolic fluxes linked to lipid homeostasis, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Analysis of two previous transcriptomic datasets was carried out. RESULTS Busulfan induced lipid accumulation in HepaRG cells but not in six different batches of PHH. In HepaRG cells, busulfan impaired VLDL secretion, increased fatty acid uptake, and induced ER stress. Transcriptomic data analysis and decreased GSH levels suggested that busulfan-induced steatosis might be linked to the high expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzyme A1, which is responsible for the formation of the hepatotoxic sulfonium cation conjugate. In keeping with this, the GST inhibitor ethacrynic acid and the chemical chaperone tauroursodeoxycholic acid alleviated busulfan-induced lipid accumulation in HepaRG cells supporting the role of the sulfonium cation conjugate and ER stress in steatosis. CONCLUSION While the HepaRG cell line is an invaluable tool for pharmacotoxicological studies, it might not be always an appropriate model to predict and mechanistically investigate drug-induced liver injury. Hence, we recommend carrying out toxicological investigations in both HepaRG cells and PHH to avoid drawing wrong conclusions on the potential hepatotoxicity of drugs and other xenobiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Allard
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Pierre-Jean Ferron
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, Rennes, France
| | - Youenn Launay
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, Rennes, France
| | - Bernard Fromenty
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, Rennes, France
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Wang Z, Tao P, Fan P, Wang J, Rong T, Hou Y, Zhou Y, Lu W, Hong L, Ma L, Zhang Y, Tong H. Insight of a lipid metabolism prognostic model to identify immune landscape and potential target for retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209396. [PMID: 37483592 PMCID: PMC10359070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The exploration of lipid metabolism dysregulation may provide novel perspectives for retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS). In our study, we aimed to investigate potential targets and facilitate further understanding of immune landscape in RPLS, through lipid metabolism-associated genes (LMAGs) based prognostic model. Methods Gene expression profiles and corresponding clinical information of 234 cases were enrolled from two public databases and the largest retroperitoneal tumor research center of East China, including cohort-TCGA (n=58), cohort-GSE30929 (n=92), cohort-FD (n=50), cohort-scRNA-seq (n=4) and cohort-validation (n=30). Consensus clustering analysis was performed to identify lipid metabolism-associated molecular subtypes (LMSs). A prognostic risk model containing 13 LMAGs was established using LASSO algorithm and multivariate Cox analysis in cohort-TCGA. ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, XCELL and MCP analyses were performed to visualize the immune landscape. WGCNA was used to identify three hub genes among the 13 model LMAGs, and preliminarily validated in both cohort-GSE30929 and cohort-FD. Moreover, TIMER was used to visualize the correlation between antigen-presenting cells and potential targets. Finally, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of four RPLS and multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) were performed in cohort-validation to validate the discoveries of bioinformatics analysis. Results LMS1 and LMS2 were characterized as immune-infiltrated and -excluded tumors, with significant differences in molecular features and clinical prognosis, respectively. Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 2 (ELOVL2), the enzyme that catalyzed the elongation of long chain fatty acids, involved in the maintenance of lipid metabolism and cellular homeostasis in normal cells, was identified and negatively correlated with antigen-presenting cells and identified as a potential target in RPLS. Furthermore, ELOVL2 was enriched in LMS2 with significantly lower immunoscore and unfavorable prognosis. Finally, a high-resolution dissection through scRNA-seq was performed in four RPLS, revealing the entire tumor ecosystem and validated previous findings. Discussion The LMS subgroups and risk model based on LMAGs proposed in our study were both promising prognostic classifications for RPLS. ELOVL2 is a potential target linking lipid metabolism to immune regulations against RPLS, specifically for patients with LMS2 tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Ping Tao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peidang Fan
- First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Jiongyuan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Rong
- First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Yingyong Hou
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhong Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqi Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijie Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanxing Tong
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
The epidemic of obesity, type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) favors drug consumption, which augments the risk of adverse events including liver injury. For more than 30 years, a series of experimental and clinical investigations reported or suggested that the common pain reliever acetaminophen (APAP) could be more hepatotoxic in obesity and related metabolic diseases, at least after an overdose. Nonetheless, several investigations did not reproduce these data. This discrepancy might come from the extent of obesity and steatosis, accumulation of specific lipid species, mitochondrial dysfunction and diabetes-related parameters such as ketonemia and hyperglycemia. Among these factors, some of them seem pivotal for the induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), which favors the conversion of APAP to the toxic metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). In contrast, other factors might explain why obesity and NAFLD are not always associated with more frequent or more severe APAP-induced acute hepatotoxicity, such as increased volume of distribution in the body, higher hepatic glucuronidation and reduced CYP3A4 activity. Accordingly, the occurrence and outcome of APAP-induced liver injury in an obese individual with NAFLD would depend on a delicate balance between metabolic factors that augment the generation of NAPQI and others that can mitigate hepatotoxicity.
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Xiong Y, Wang Y, Xiong Y, Teng L. 4-PBA inhibits hypoxia-induced lipolysis in rat adipose tissue and lipid accumulation in the liver through regulating ER stress. Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:1223-1231. [PMID: 36911831 PMCID: PMC10002945 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3156] [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: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
High-altitude hypoxia may disturb the metabolic modulation and function of both adipose tissue and liver. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a crucial organelle in lipid metabolism and ER stress is closely correlated with lipid metabolism dysfunction. The aim of this study is to elucidate whether the inhibition of ER stress could alleviate hypoxia-induced white adipose tissue (WAT) lipolysis and liver lipid accumulation-mediated hepatic injury. A rat model of high-altitude hypoxia (5500 m) was established using hypobaric chamber. The response of ER stress and lipolysis-related pathways were analyzed in WAT under hypoxia exposure with or without 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) treatment. Liver lipid accumulation, liver injury, and apoptosis were evaluated. Hypoxia evoked significant ER stress in WAT, evidenced by increased GRP78, CHOP, and phosphorylation of IRE1α, PERK. Moreover, Lipolysis in perirenal WAT significantly increased under hypoxia, accompanied with increased phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and perilipin. Treatment with 4-PBA, inhibitor of ER stress, effectively attenuated hypoxia-induced lipolysis via cAMP-PKA-HSL/perilipin pathway. In addition, 4-PBA treatment significantly inhibited the increase in fatty acid transporters (CD36, FABP1, FABP4) and ameliorated liver FFA accumulation. 4-PBA treatment significantly attenuated liver injury and apoptosis, which is likely resulting from decreased liver lipid accumulation. Our results highlight the importance of ER stress in hypoxia-induced WAT lipolysis and liver lipid accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlei Xiong
- Department of Pathology Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing China.,Department of Pathophysiology Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS); School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Beijing China
| | - Yueming Wang
- Department of Anatomy School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Yantai China
| | - Yanlian Xiong
- Department of Anatomy School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Yantai China
| | - Lianghong Teng
- Department of Pathology Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing China
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Vandenberk B, Altieri MH, Liu H, Raj SR, Lee SS. Review article: diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of atrial fibrillation in cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:290-303. [PMID: 36571829 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and its management in cirrhosis can be challenging due to the altered hepatic metabolism of medications and increased risk of bleeding. AIMS To provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of AF in patients with cirrhosis from both a cardiology and a hepatology perspective. METHODS An extensive literature search was performed using the terms 'atrial fibrillation' and 'cirrhosis'. Guideline documents and consensus statements were explored. RESULTS The prevalence of AF in patients with cirrhosis ranges between 6.6% and 14.2%, while the incidence of new-onset AF in the post-operative period after liver transplant ranged between 6.8% and 10.2%. AF in patients with cirrhosis is associated with adverse outcomes in both pre-transplant and post-transplant settings, including an increased risk of stroke when compared to the general population. We review the pathogenesis of AF in general and in cirrhosis. This review also provides guidance on the management of AF, including the use of anticoagulation and rate versus rhythm control. In the absence of strict contraindications, all patients with cirrhosis and AF should be anticoagulated. The use of DOACs is preferred over vitamin K antagonists. In patients with a high bleeding risk, a DOAC with an approved antidote may be preferred. CONCLUSIONS Atrial fibrillation is increased in patients with cirrhosis. AF management requires careful consideration of treatment options. Since patients with cirrhosis were excluded from all major randomised clinical trials, dedicated research on the pathophysiology and management of AF in cirrhosis is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Vandenberk
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario H Altieri
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, CHU Caen, Caen, France
| | - Hongqun Liu
- Liver Unit, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Satish R Raj
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Samuel S Lee
- Liver Unit, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Larrey D, D'Erasmo L, O'Brien S, Arca M. Long-term hepatic safety of lomitapide in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Liver Int 2023; 43:413-423. [PMID: 36520008 PMCID: PMC10107656 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lomitapide is a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor for patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Due to its mechanism of action, potential hepatic effects of lomitapide are of clinical interest. This study aimed to determine the long-term hepatic safety of lomitapide. METHODS Data were aggregated from the pivotal phase 3 and extension phase clinical trial with lomitapide (median 5.1 years; serum total bilirubin, transaminases, cytokeratin-18 [CK-18] and enhanced liver fibrosis [ELF] score, fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids), 8-year data from the Lomitapide Observational Worldwide Evaluation Registry (LOWER) and real-world evidence from a cohort of patients treated with lomitapide in Italy (hepatic elastography, and FIB-4 score for hepatic fibrosis). RESULTS In the phase 3 trial and the LOWER registry, any asymptomatic excursions in liver transaminase levels were not associated with elevations in bilirubin, and no Hy's law cases were detected in up to 8 years follow-up. There were no clinically relevant increases among hepatic biomarkers CK-18, CK-18 fragments or ELF score and fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids remained above normal levels. In 34 patients treated in Italy with lomita pide for more than 9 years, elevations in hepatic fat were mild-to-moderate; hepatic stiffness remained normal, and the mean FIB-4 score remained below the fibrosis threshold value of 2.67. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the hepatic safety of lomitapide remains favourable with no clinically significant elevations in hepatic biomarkers and hepatic stiffness remained normal for more than 9 years follow-up. PHASE 3 TRIAL: NCT00730236; extension phase: NCT00943306; LOWER: NCT02135705.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura D'Erasmo
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, 'Sapienza' University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Arca
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, 'Sapienza' University, Rome, Italy
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Wang H, Qin H, Garab G, Gasanoff ES. Short-Chained Alcohols Make Membrane Surfaces Conducive for Melittin Action: Implication for the Physiological Role of Alcohols in Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121928. [PMID: 35741057 PMCID: PMC9221640 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121928] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohols are a part of cellular metabolism, but their physiological roles are not well understood. We investigated the effects of short-chain alcohols on Daphnia pulex and model membranes mimicking the lipid composition of eukaryotic inner mitochondrial membranes. We also studied the synergistic effects of alcohols with the bee venom membrane-active peptide, melittin, which is structurally similar to endogenous membrane-active peptides. The alcohols, from ethanol to octanol, gradually decreased the heart rate and the mitochondrial ATP synthesis of daphnia; in contrast, in combination with melittin, which exerted no sizeable effect, they gradually increased both the heart rate and the ATP synthesis. Lipid packing and the order parameter of oriented films, monitored by EPR spectroscopy of the spin-labeled probe 5-doxylstrearic acid, revealed gradual alcohol-assisted bilayer to non-bilayer transitions in the presence of melittin; further, while the alcohols decreased, in combination with melittin they increased the order parameter of the film, which is attributed to the alcohol-facilitated association of melittin with the membrane. A 1H-NMR spectroscopy of the liposomes confirmed the enhanced induction of a non-bilayer lipid phase that formed around the melittin, without the permeabilization of the liposomal membrane. Our data suggest that short-chain alcohols, in combination with endogenous peptides, regulate protein functions via modulating the lipid polymorphism of membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Wang
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program, Science Department, Chaoyang KaiWen Academy, Beijing 100018, China; (H.W.); (H.Q.)
| | - Hao Qin
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program, Science Department, Chaoyang KaiWen Academy, Beijing 100018, China; (H.W.); (H.Q.)
| | - Győző Garab
- Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Edward S. Gasanoff
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program, Science Department, Chaoyang KaiWen Academy, Beijing 100018, China; (H.W.); (H.Q.)
- Belozersky Institute for Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (E.S.G.)
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