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Medina Pizaño MY, Loera Arias MDJ, Montes de Oca Luna R, Saucedo Cárdenas O, Ventura Juárez J, Muñoz Ortega MH. Neuroimmunomodulation of adrenoblockers during liver cirrhosis: modulation of hepatic stellate cell activity. Ann Med 2023; 55:543-557. [PMID: 36826975 PMCID: PMC9970206 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2164047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sympathetic nervous system and the immune system are responsible for producing neurotransmitters and cytokines that interact by binding to receptors; due to this, there is communication between these systems. Liver immune cells and nerve fibres are systematically distributed in the liver, and the partial overlap of both patterns may favour interactions between certain elements. Dendritic cells are attached to fibroblasts, and nerve fibres are connected via the dendritic cell-fibroblast complex. Receptors for most neuroactive substances, such as catecholamines, have been discovered on dendritic cells. The sympathetic nervous system regulates hepatic fibrosis through sympathetic fibres and adrenaline from the adrenal glands through the blood. When there is liver damage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated locally and systemically through proinflammatory cytokines that induce the production of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters bind to cells through α-adrenergic receptors, triggering a cellular response that secretes inflammatory factors that stimulate and activate hepatic stellate cells. Hepatic stellate cells are key in the fibrotic process. They initiate the overproduction of extracellular matrix components in an active state that progresses from fibrosis to liver cirrhosis. It has also been shown that they can be directly activated by norepinephrine. Alpha and beta adrenoblockers, such as carvedilol, prazosin, and doxazosin, have recently been used to reverse CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rodent and murine models.KEY MESSAGESNeurotransmitters from the sympathetic nervous system activate and increase the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis treatment might depend on neurotransmitter and hepatic nervous system regulation.Strategies to reduce hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis are based on experimentation with α-adrenoblockers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Odila Saucedo Cárdenas
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Javier Ventura Juárez
- Department of Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México
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Hepatoprotective Role of Carvedilol against Ischemic Hepatitis Associated with Acute Heart Failure via Targeting miRNA-17 and Mitochondrial Dynamics-Related Proteins: An In Vivo and In Silico Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070832. [PMID: 35890131 PMCID: PMC9319470 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the most common diseases in old age that can lead to mortality. Systemic hypoperfusion is associated with hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury, which may be irreversible. Ischemic hepatitis due to AHF has been linked to the pathogenesis of liver damage. In the present study, we extensively investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins and their epigenetic regulation in ischemic liver injury following AHF and explored the possible hepatoprotective role of carvedilol. The biochemical analysis revealed that the ischemic liver injury following AHF significantly elevated the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes, the level of total and direct bilirubin, and the expression of hepatic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), dynamin-1-like protein (DNM1L), and hepatic miRNA-17. At the same time, it significantly reduced the serum albumin level, the activity of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the expression of mitochondrial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-1α (PGC-1α), and mitofusin 2 (Mtf2). The histological examination of the liver tissue revealed degenerated hepatocytes. Interestingly, administration of carvedilol either prior to or after isoprenaline-induced AHF significantly improved the liver function and reversed the deterioration effect of AHF-induced ischemic hepatitis, as demonstrated by biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histological analysis. Our results indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of carvedilol in ameliorating hepatic ischemic damage could be attributed to its ability to target the mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (Mtf2, DNM1L and PGC-1α), but also their epigenetic regulator miRNA-17. To further explore the mode of action of carvedilol, we have investigated, in silico, the ability of carvedilol to target dynamin-1-like protein and mitochondrial dynamics protein (MID51). Our results revealed that carvedilol has a high binding affinity (−14.83 kcal/mol) toward the binding pocket of DNM1L protein. In conclusion, our study highlights the hepatoprotective pharmacological application of carvedilol to attenuate ischemic hepatitis associated with AHF.
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Protective Effect of Curcumin against Doxazosin- and Carvedilol-Induced Oxidative Stress in HepG2 Cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:6085515. [PMID: 35189631 PMCID: PMC8856820 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6085515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Doxazosin and carvedilol have been evaluated as an alternative treatment against chronic liver lesions and for their possible role during the regeneration of damage caused by liver fibrosis in a hamster model. However, these drugs have been reported to induce morphological changes in hepatocytes, affecting the recovery of liver parenchyma. The effects of these α/𝛽 adrenoblockers on the viability of hepatocytes are unknown. Herein, we demonstrate the protective effect of curcumin against the possible side effects of doxazosin and carvedilol, drugs with proven antifibrotic activity. After pretreatment with 1 μM curcumin for 1 h, HepG2 cells were exposed to 0.1–25 μM doxazosin or carvedilol for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay and SYTOX green staining. Morphological changes were detected using the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An expression of apoptotic and oxidative stress markers was analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results indicate that doxazosin decreases cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas carvedilol increases cell proliferation; however, curcumin increases or maintains cell viability. SEM and H&E staining provided evidence that doxazosin and carvedilol induced morphological changes in HepG2 cells, and curcumin protected against these effects, maintaining the morphology in 90% of treated cells. Furthermore, curcumin positively regulated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD1 mRNAs in cells treated with 0.1 and 0.5 μM doxazosin. Moreover, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was higher in cells that were treated with curcumin before doxazosin or carvedilol. The present study demonstrates that curcumin controls doxazosin- and carvedilol-induced cytotoxicity and morphological changes in HepG2 cells possibly by overexpression of Nrf2.
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Serna-Salas SA, Arroyave-Ospina JC, Zhang M, Damba T, Buist-Homan M, Muñoz-Ortega MH, Ventura-Juárez J, Moshage H. α-1 Adrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin reverses hepatic stellate cells activation via induction of senescence. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 201:111617. [PMID: 34958827 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the main effector cells during liver fibrogenesis. α-1 adrenergic antagonist doxazosin (DX) was shown to be anti-fibrotic in an in vivo model of liver fibrosis (LF), but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. Recent studies suggest that reversion of LF can be achieved by inducing cellular senescence characterized by irreversible cell-cycle arrest and acquisition of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). AIM To elucidate the mechanism of the anti-fibrotic effect of DX and determine whether it induces senescence. METHODS Primary culture-activated rat HSCs were used. mRNA and protein expression were measured by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU incorporation and xCelligence analysis. TGF-β was used for maximal HSC activation. Norepinephrine (NE), PMA and m-3M3FBS were used to activate alpha-1 adrenergic signaling. RESULTS Expression of Col1α1 was significantly decreased by DX (10 µmol/L) at mRNA (-30 %) and protein level (-50 %) in TGF-β treated aHSCs. DX significantly reduced aHSCs proliferation and increased expression of senescence and SASP markers. PMA and m-3M3FBS reversed the effect of DX on senescence markers. CONCLUSION Doxazosin reverses the fibrogenic phenotype of aHSCs and induces the senescence phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra A Serna-Salas
- Dept. Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico; Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna C Arroyave-Ospina
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mengfan Zhang
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Turtushikh Damba
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Manon Buist-Homan
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Dept. Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Han Moshage
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Dept. Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Zhang M, Serna-Salas S, Damba T, Borghesan M, Demaria M, Moshage H. Hepatic stellate cell senescence in liver fibrosis: Characteristics, mechanisms and perspectives. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 199:111572. [PMID: 34536446 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Myofibroblasts play an important role in fibrogenesis. Hepatic stellate cells are the main precursors of myofibroblasts. Cellular senescence is the terminal cell fate in which proliferating cells undergo irreversible cell cycle arrest. Senescent hepatic stellate cells were identified in liver fibrosis. Senescent hepatic stellate cells display decreased collagen production and proliferation. Therefore, induction of senescence could be a protective mechanism against progression of liver fibrosis and the concept of therapy-induced senescence has been proposed to treat liver fibrosis. In this review, characteristics of senescent hepatic stellate cells and the essential signaling pathways involved in senescence are reviewed. Furthermore, the potential impact of senescent hepatic stellate cells on other liver cell types are discussed. Senescent cells are cleared by the immune system. The persistence of senescent cells can remodel the microenvironment and interact with inflammatory cells to induce aging-related dysfunction. Therefore, senolytics, a class of compounds that selectively induce death of senescent cells, were introduced as treatment to remove senescent cells and consequently decrease the disadvantageous effects of persisting senescent cells. The effects of senescent hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Zhang
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Serna-Salas
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Turtushikh Damba
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; School of Pharmacy, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Michaela Borghesan
- European Research Institute on the Biology of Aging (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Demaria
- European Research Institute on the Biology of Aging (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Han Moshage
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Xiu AY, Ding Q, Li Z, Zhang CQ. Doxazosin Attenuates Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting Autophagy in Hepatic Stellate Cells via Activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:3643-3659. [PMID: 34456560 PMCID: PMC8387324 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s317701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the effect of doxazosin on autophagy and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo and in vitro and determine the underlying mechanism. Methods In vivo, a mouse liver fibrosis model was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Doxazosin was administered at doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/(kg*day) by gavage. After 20 weeks, blood and liver tissues were collected for serological and histological analysis, respectively. Blood analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to measure the extent of liver fibrosis in model and control mice. In vitro, the human HSC cell line LX-2 was cultured and treated with different doses of doxazosin for the indicated times. The effects of doxazosin on LX-2 cell proliferation and migration were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. The number of autophagosomes in LX-2 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Infection with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3B adenovirus, GFP-red fluorescent protein (RFP)-LC3B adenovirus and mCherry-EGFP-LC3 adeno-associated virus was performed to examine changes in autophagic flux in vitro and in vivo. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry in vitro and by TUNEL assays both in vitro and in vivo. Immunoblotting was performed to evaluate the expression levels of proteins related to fibrosis, autophagy, apoptosis, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Results Doxazosin inhibited HSC proliferation and migration. HSC activation was attenuated by doxazosin in a concentration-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. Doxazosin also blocked autophagic flux and induced apoptosis in HSCs. In addition, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was activated by doxazosin and regulated fibrosis, autophagy and apoptosis in HSCs. Conclusion The study confirmed that doxazosin could inhibit autophagy by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuate liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Yuan Xiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Qing Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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Delgado-Venegas CS, Martínez-Hernández SL, Cervantes-García D, Montes de Oca-Luna R, de Jesús Loera-Arias M, Mata-Martínez MG, Ventura-Juárez J, Muñoz-Ortega MH. Modulating effects of the probiotic Lactococcus lactis on the hepatic fibrotic process induced by CCl 4 in Wistar rats. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:339. [PMID: 33732312 PMCID: PMC7903445 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic cirrhosis is a chronic disease that affects one fifth of the World's population and is the third leading cause of death in Mexico. Attempts have been made to develop treatments for this hepatic cirrhosis, which include manipulating the intestinal microbiota and thus decreasing the early inflammatory response. The microbiota is reportedly altered in patients with cirrhosis. Due to its immunomodulatory properties and its ability to survive in the gastrointestinal tract, Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) has been used as a therapeutic measure in inflammatory disorders of the colon. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the L. lactis probiotic NZ9000 in preventing tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced experimental hepatic fibrosis. The following 4 groups were included in the experimental stage (n=5): i) Control group; ii) L. lactis group; iii) CCl4 group; and iv) L. lactis-CCl4 group. For the first 2 weeks, L. lactis was orally administered to the L. lactis and L. lactis-CCl4 groups; CCl4 was then peritoneally administered to the lactis-CCl4 group for a further 4 weeks (in addition to the probiotic), while the L. lactis group received the probiotic only. For the CCl4 group, CCl4 was administered for 4 weeks. The experimental groups were all compared with the control group and the L. lactis + CCl4 group. Tissue samples were analyzed histologically and biochemically, and the gene expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-10 and forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) were determined. L. lactis decreased hepatic cirrhosis by preventing steatosis and fibrosis, and by reducing the levels of AST and ALT. Subchronic CCl4 injury induced upregulation of the IL-1β gene in the liver, which was decreased by L. lactis. It was also found that the group treated with L. lactis showed increased expression of Foxp3 in the liver and IL-10 in the gut. These results suggested that oral administration of L. lactis may be a potential probiotic to prevent or protect against CCl4-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Luz Martínez-Hernández
- Center for Basic Sciences, Department of Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico
| | - Daniel Cervantes-García
- National Council of Science and Technology, Center for Basic Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico
| | - Roberto Montes de Oca-Luna
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology, Autonomous University of Nuevo Léon, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, Mexico
| | - María de Jesús Loera-Arias
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology, Autonomous University of Nuevo Léon, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, Mexico
| | - María Guadalupe Mata-Martínez
- Center for Basic Sciences, Department of Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico
| | - Javier Ventura-Juárez
- Center for Basic Sciences, Department of Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico
| | - Martín Humberto Muñoz-Ortega
- Center of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico
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Xue R, Yang J, Jia L, Zhu X, Wu J, Zhu Y, Meng Q. Mitofusin2, as a Protective Target in the Liver, Controls the Balance of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:601. [PMID: 31231215 PMCID: PMC6561379 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Previous studies showed the vital role of mitofusin2 (Mfn2) in the regulation of mitochondrial function. However, the effect of Mfn2 on ACLF remains unknown. As one of mitochondrial-related pathways, BNIP3-mediated pathway controls the balance between apoptosis and autophagy. However, the relationship between Mfn2 and BNIP3-mediated pathway in ACLF is still obscure. The aim of our study is to clarify the effect of Mfn2 and potential molecular mechanisms in ACLF. Methods: We collected liver tissue from ACLF patients and constructed an ACLF animal model and a hepatocyte autophagy injury model, using adenovirus and lentivirus to deliver Mfn2 and Mfn2-siRNA to liver cells, in order to assess the effect of Mfn2 on autophagy and apoptosis in ACLF. We explored the biological mechanisms of Mfn2-induced autophagy and apoptosis of ACLF through Western blotting, Quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR), transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical staining, and hematoxylin–eosin staining. Results: Compared with the normal liver tissue, the expressions of Mfn2, Atg5, Beclin1, and LC3-II/I were significantly decreased and the expression of P62 was much higher in patients with ACLF. Mfn2 significantly attenuated ACLF, characterized via microscopic histopathology and reduced serum AST and ALT levels. Mfn2 promoted the expressions of ATP synthase β, Atg5, Beclin1, LC3-II/I, and Bcl2 and reduced the expressions of P62, Bax, and BNIP3. Conclusions: Mfn2 plays a protective role in the progression of ACLF. BNIP3-mediated signaling pathway is not the only factor associated with Mfn2 controlling the balance of apoptosis and autophagy in ACLF. Mfn2 will provide a promising therapeutic target for patients with ACLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xue
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Jia
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Zhu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yueke Zhu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Meng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Curcumin and α/ β-Adrenergic Antagonists Cotreatment Reverse Liver Cirrhosis in Hamsters: Participation of Nrf-2 and NF- κB. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:3019794. [PMID: 31183386 PMCID: PMC6515016 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3019794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is the result of an uncontrolled fibrogenetic process, due to the activation and subsequent differentiation into myofibroblasts of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC). It is known that HSC express adrenoreceptors (AR), and the use of AR antagonists protects experimental animals from cirrhosis. However, several studies suggest that the toxicity generated by metabolism of these antagonists would hinder its use in cirrhotic patients. In addition, liver fibrosis may be associated with a decrease of the antioxidant response of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and the overregulation of the proinflammatory pathway of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Therefore, in the present work, the capacity of doxazosin (α1 antagonist), carvedilol (nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker with alpha 1-blocking properties), and curcumin (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound) to reverse liver cirrhosis and studying the possible modulation of Nrf-2 and NF-κB were evaluated. Hamsters received CCl4 for 20 weeks, and then treatments were immediately administered for 4 weeks more. The individual administration of doxazosin or carvedilol showed less ability to reverse cirrhosis in relation to concomitantly curcumin administration. However, the best effect was the combined effect of doxazosin, carvedilol, and curcumin, reversing liver fibrosis and decreasing the amount of collagen I (Sirius red stain) without affecting the morphology of hepatocytes (hematoxylin and eosin stain), showing normal hepatic function (glucose, albumin, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, and total proteins). In addition, carvedilol treatment and the combination of doxazosin with curcumin increased Nrf-2/NF-κB mRNA ratio and its protein expression in the inflammatory cells in the livers, possibly as another mechanism of hepatoprotection. Therefore, these results suggest for the first time that α/β adrenergic blockers with curcumin completely reverse hepatic damage, possibly as a result of adrenergic antagonism on HSC and conceivably by the increase of Nrf-2/NF-κB mRNA ratio.
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