Effects of Puerariae Radix Extract on Endotoxin Receptors and TNF-α Expression Induced by Gut-Derived Endotoxin in Chronic Alcoholic Liver Injury. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:234987. [PMID: 23133491 PMCID: PMC3485520 DOI: 10.1155/2012/234987]

Lysimachiae Herba Inhibits Inflammatory Reactions and Improves Lipopolysaccharide/D-Galactosamine-Induced Hepatic Injury

This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Lysimachiae Herba ethanolic extract (LHE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and in a LPS/D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatitis mouse model. Then, the production of inflammatory mediators and the activation of related pathways in macrophages were explored. Finally, we assessed the serum aminotransferase levels and the expression of inflammatory/antioxidant molecules in liver tissues in mice. Results revealed that LHE treatment significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Molecular data showed that LHE remarkably increased the activities of the antioxidant pathway and inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase as well as the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB induced by LPS. Furthermore, it prevented acute liver damage caused by LPS/D-GalN-induced hepatitis by inhibiting aminotransferase levels and histopathological changes in mice. Moreover, treatment with LHE significantly inhibited the activation of inflammatory pathways and increased the expression of antioxidant molecules including heme oxygenase-1/Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. In conclusion, LHE has potent anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in LPS-stimulated macrophages and the LPS/D-GalN-induced acute hepatitis mouse model. Thus, it can be a treatment option for inflammation, hepatitis, and liver injury.

The Protective Effects of Water Extracts of Compound Turmeric Recipe on Acute Alcoholism: An Experimental Research Using a Mouse Model

Acute alcoholism (AAI) is a common emergency. Currently, there is a lack of preventive and therapeutic drugs with superior safety and efficacy. Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, Pueraria lobata, Pueraria flower, and Hovenia dulcis Thunb., which are the components of compound turmeric recipe (CTR), are, respectively, used in China as adjuvant therapeutic agents for AAI and alcoholic liver injury, respectively. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of traditional compound turmeric recipe in anti-inebriation treatment and to identify its underlying mechanisms. The mice were administered with CTR mixture, and ethanol was subsequently given to mice by gavage. The effects of CTR on the righting reflex, 24-hour survival, drunken behavior, blood ethanol concentration, and pathological changes of liver are depicted. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were detected. Besides, the activities of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), cytochrome P450 (P450), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and the levels of β-endorphin (β-EP) and leucine enkephalin (LENK) in the brain were also measured. Our results demonstrated that CTR can increase the activities of ADH, ALDH, P450, and SOD and decrease the contents of TNF-α, IL-8, and MDA in the liver. In addition, it can decrease the activities of ALT, AST, and ALP in serum and β-EP and LENK activities in the brain. CTR showed effects on prevention of acute alcoholism, promoting wakefulness, and alleviating alcoholic liver injury, which were likely mediated by the above mechanisms.

In vitro effects of Pueraria extract on ethanol-exposed microglia and neurons

Predominant health impacts from alcoholism are chronic neurologic deficits and hepatic dysfunction. Pueraria extract (PE) is a solution obtained from the dried root of Pueraria lobate and can reverse alcohol-induced hepatic damage. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of PE on ethanol-induced injury in microglia and neurons. To confirm the reliability of the experimental approach, an in vivo demonstration of PE activity was used to verify its impact on hepatic damage in mice exposed to ethanol (ETOH). Subsequently, an in vitro assay was used to verify the effects of PE on ETOH-exposed microglia and neurons.PE reversed fibrosis and hyperplasia, adipocyte infiltration, hepatomegaly, hepatic function, lipid metabolism, indicators of oxidative stress, and morphological changes in hepatic cells, induced by ETOH exposure. The reliability of the experimental approach was thus confirmed. PE also reversed the activation of microglia and inflammatory-related cytokines and proteins induced by ETOH exposure. PE showed protective effects on neurons via inhibition of mitochondrial fission. in vivo and in vitro evidence indicated that PE might be useful in the treatment of both hepatic injury and neurologic deficits commonly observed in chronic alcoholism.

Disruption of the gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic liver failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by organ failure mediated by acute decompensation of cirrhosis. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the gut-liver axis (GLS) and its association with ACLF pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms related to the alteration of the GLA and their involvement in ACLF pathogenesis and suggest some possible therapeutic options that could modulate the GLA dysfunction. This knowledge may provide information useful for the design of therapeutic strategies for gut dysbiosis and its complications in ACLF.

Activation of autophagy attenuates EtOH-LPS-induced hepatic steatosis and injury through MD2 associated TLR4 signaling

Autophagy serves as a protective mechanism to degrade damaged organelles and proteins. Acute alcohol exposure is known to activate the hepatic autophagy response, whereas chronic alcohol exposure slows autophagosome formation along with an elevation of gut-derived endotoxin. In the current study, we examined whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration decreased autophagic response in the liver of mice treated by short-term alcohol and whether activation of autophagy by rapamycin attenuates EtOH-LPS-induced liver steatosis and injury. We demonstrated that ten-day alcohol feeding primed the liver to LPS-induced lipid accumulation and liver injury with significantly increased hepatic steatosis and serum AST level as well as hepatic cellular NF-κB activation. LPS increased alcohol-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation while reducing autophagy activation. These deleterious effects were attenuated by rapamycin administration in mice. The protective effects of rapamycin are associated with decreased cellular MD2/TLR4 expression and interaction in Raw264.7 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that enhanced gut-derived LPS decreases the hepatic autophagosome numbers in response to alcohol exposure, and activation of autophagy by rapamycin protects from EtOH-LPS-induced liver injury, probably through reduced macrophage expression and interaction of TLR4/MD2 signaling complex.

Review. The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been defined as a spectrum of histological abnormalities and is characterized by significant and excessive accumulation of triglycerides in the hepatocytes in patients without alcohol consumption or other diseases. Current studies are targeting new molecular mechanisms that underlie NAFLD and associated metabolic disorders. Many therapeutic targets have been found and used in clinical studies. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are among the potential targets and have been demonstrated to exert a pivotal role in modulation of NAFLD. Many drugs developed so far are targeted at PPARs. Thus, the aim of this paper is to summarize the roles of PPARs in the treatment of NAFLD.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Hangover and Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and spirits are widely consumed around the world. However, alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde are toxic and harmful to human beings. Chronic alcohol use disorder or occasional binge drinking can cause a wide range of health problems, such as hangover, liver damage and cancer. Some natural products such as traditional herbs, fruits, and vegetables might be potential dietary supplements or medicinal products for the prevention and treatment of the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of effective natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder, and special emphasis is paid to the possible functional component(s) and related mechanism(s) of action.

Probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and acidophilus R0052) reduce the expression of toll-like receptor 4 in mice with alcoholic liver disease

OBJECTIVE

The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has been widely established. We evaluated the biological effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and acidophilus R0052), KRG (Korea red ginseng), and urushiol (Rhus verniciflua Stokes) on ALD, including their effects on normal and high-fat diet in mice.

METHODS

One hundred C57BL/6 mice were classified into normal (N) and high-fat diet (H) groups. Each group was divided into 5 sub-groups: control, alcohol, alcohol+probiotics, alcohol+KRG, and alcohol+urushiol. A liver function test, histology, electron-microscopy, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-10, and TLR 4 were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS

In the N group, probiotics, KRG, and urushiol significantly reduced levels of TNF-α (12.3±5.1, 13.4±3.9, and 12.1±4.3 vs. 27.9±15.2 pg/mL) and IL-1β (108.4±39.4, 75.0±51.0, and 101.1±26.8 vs. 162.4±37.5 pg/mL), which were increased by alcohol. Alcohol-induced TLR 4 expression was reduced by probiotics and urushiol (0.7±0.2, and 0.8±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.3, p<0.001). In the H group, IL-10 was significantly increased by probiotics and KRG, compared with alcohol (25.3±15.6 and 20.4±6.2 vs. 7.6±5.6 pg/mL) and TLR 4 expression was reduced by probiotics (0.8±0.2 vs. 1.0±0.3, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol-induced TLR 4 expression was down-regulated by probiotics in the normal and high-fat diet groups. Probiotics, KRG, and urushiol might be effective in the treatment of ALD by regulating the gut-liver axis.

Effect of blueberry on hepatic expression of TLR4 in a rat model of alcoholic liver injury

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of blueberry in rats with alcoholic hepatic injury and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS: Forty-eight healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a blueberry group, a magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate group and a model group. The rats in the control group were given physiological saline, and other groups were all given 56 mL/L ethanol solution intragastrically. The blueberry group and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate group were, respectively, given blueberry juice and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate solution 1 h after intragastric alcohol infusion. All SD rats were sacrificed after 4 wk. Pathological changes in the hepatic tissue were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in serum were detected with automatic biochemical analyzer. The activity an of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in liver homogenates were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in liver tissue was detected by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.

RESULTS: In the control group, hepatocytes were intact, and no vacuoles were observed. In the model group, vacuoles were noted in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The degree of cytoplasmic vacuolation was significantly alleviated in the blueberry group and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate group. The levles of ALT, AST, TG, and TC in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blueberry group and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate group (F = 47.984, 14.974, 149.338, 94.896, P < 0.01 for all). Compared with the model group, the activities of SOD in liver homogenates were significantly higher (F = 33.102, P < 0.01) and the contents of TNF-α and IL-8 in liver homogenates were significantly lower (F = 76.250, 37.971, P < 0.01 for both) in the blueberry group and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate group. The expression of hepatic TLR4 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blueberry group and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate group (F = 141.932, 62.750, P < 0.01 for both).

CONCLUSION: Blueberry exerts a protective effect on alcoholic hepatic injury in rats, and the mechanism might be associated with down-regulating the expression of TLR4, reducing the contents of hepatic TNF-α and IL-8, and up-regulating the activity of hepatic SOD.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, a potential therapeutic target for alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver injury represents a progressive process with a range of consequences including hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Targeting key molecular regulators involved in the development of alcoholic liver injury may be of great value in the prevention of liver injury. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) plays a pivotal role in modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory response and fibrogenesis. As such, PPARα may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. Hydroalcoholic Extract Inhibits Neutrophil Functions Related to Innate Host Defense

Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. is a herb native to South America, and its inflorescences are popularly employed to treat inflammatory diseases. Here, the effects of the in vivo actions of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from inflorescences of A. satureioides on neutrophil trafficking into inflamed tissue were investigated. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with A. satureioides extract, and inflammation was induced one hour later by lipopolysaccharide injection into the subcutaneous tissue. The number of leukocytes and the amount of chemotactic mediators were quantified in the inflammatory exudate, and adhesion molecule and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) expressions and phorbol-myristate-acetate- (PMA-) stimulated oxidative burst were quantified in circulating neutrophils. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions were quantified in the mesentery tissue. Enzymes and tissue morphology of the liver and kidney were evaluated. Treatment with A. satureioides extract reduced neutrophil influx and secretion of leukotriene B4 and CINC-1 in the exudates, the number of rolling and adhered leukocytes in the mesentery postcapillary venules, neutrophil L-selectin, β 2-integrin and TLR-4 expression, and oxidative burst, but did not cause an alteration in the morphology and activities of liver and kidney. Together, the data show that A. satureioides extract inhibits neutrophil functions related to the innate response and does not cause systemic toxicity.