Resveratrol ameliorates liver fibrosis induced by nonpathogenic Staphylococcus in BALB/c mice through inhibiting its growth

Resveratrol Alleviates Arsenic Exposure-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats by Inhibiting Hepatocyte Senescence

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant that has garnered considerable attention from the World Health Organization. Liver fibrosis is an advanced pathological stage of liver injury that can be caused by chronic arsenic exposure and has the potential to be reversed to prevent cirrhosis and hepatic malignancies. However, effective treatment options are currently limited. Given the profibrogenic effect of hepatocyte senescence, we established a rat model of sub-chronic sodium arsenite exposure and investigated the ability of resveratrol (RSV), a potential anti-senescence agent, to ameliorate arsenic-induced liver fibrosis and elucidate the underlying mechanism from the perspective of hepatocyte senescence. The results demonstrated that RSV was capable of mitigating fibrosis phenotypes in rat livers, including the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC), the generation of extracellular matrix, and the deposition of collagen fibers in the liver vascular zone, which are all induced by arsenic exposure. Furthermore, as an activator of the longevity factor SIRT1, RSV antagonized the arsenic-induced inhibition of SIRT1 expression, thereby restoring the suppression of the senescence protein p16 by SIRT1. This prevented arsenic-induced hepatocyte senescence, manifesting as a decrease in telomere shortening and a reduction in the release of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-related proteins. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that RSV counteracts arsenic-induced hepatocyte senescence and the release of SASP-related proteins by restoring the inhibitory effect of SIRT1 on p16, thereby suppressing the activation of fibrotic phenotypes and mitigating liver fibrosis. These findings provide new insights for understanding the mechanism of arsenic-induced liver fibrosis, and more importantly, they reveal novel potential interventional approaches.

Recruitment or activation of mast cells in the liver aggravates the accumulation of fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

Liver diseases caused by viral infections, alcoholism, drugs, or chemical poisons are a significant health problem: Liver diseases are a leading contributor to mortality, with approximately 2 million deaths per year worldwide. Liver fibrosis, as a common liver disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition, is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and there is no effective treatment. Numerous studies have shown that the accumulation of mast cells (MCs) in the liver is closely associated with liver injury caused by a variety of factors. This study investigated the relationship between MCs and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and the effects of the MC stabilizers sodium cromoglycate (SGC) and ketotifen (KET) on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. The results showed that MCs were recruited or activated during CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Coadministration of SCG or KET alleviated the liver fibrosis by decreasing SCF/c-kit expression, inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway, depressing the HIF-1a/VEGF pathway, activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and increasing the hepatic levels of GSH, GSH-Px, and GR, thereby reducing hepatic oxidative stress. Collectively, recruitment or activation of MCs is linked to liver fibrosis and the stabilization of MCs may provide a new approach to the prevention of liver fibrosis.

Empagliflozin attenuates liver fibrosis in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced mice by modulating gut microbiota

The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on hepatic fibrosis in diabetes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of empagliflozin on liver fibrosis in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced mice and the correlation with gut microbiota. After the application of empagliflozin for 6 weeks, we performed oral glucose tolerance and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests to assess glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, and stained liver sections to evaluate histochemical and hepatic pathological markers of liver fibrosis. Moreover, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was performed on stool samples to explore changes in the composition of intestinal bacteria. We finally analysed the correlation between gut microbiome and liver fibrosis scores or indicators of glucose metabolism. The results showed that empagliflozin intervention improved glucose metabolism and liver function with reduced liver fibrosis, which might be related to changes in intestinal microbiota. In addition, the abundance of intestinal probiotic Lactobacillus increased, while Ruminococcus and Adlercreutzia decreased after empagliflozin treatment, and correlation analysis showed that the changes in microbiota were positively correlated with liver fibrosis and glucose metabolism. Overall, considering the contribution of the gut microbiota in metabolism, empagliflozin might have improved the beneficial balance of intestinal bacteria composition. The present study provides evidence and indicates the involvement of the gut-liver axis by SGLT2 inhibitors in T2DM with liver fibrosis.

Disrupting the gut microbiota/metabolites axis by Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate drives intestinal inflammation via AhR/NF-κB pathway in mice

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizer known for its environmental endocrine-disrupting properties, posing potential risks to various organs. However, the precise impact of DEHP on intestinal health and its contribution to the initiation of intestinal inflammation remains elucidated. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of DEHP-induced intestinal inflammation in mice, specifically focusing on the complex interplay between the gut microbiota-metabolite axis and associated pathophysiological alterations. Our findings showed that DEHP-induced damage of multiple organs systemically, as indicated by abnormal liver and kidney biochemical markers, along with a disrupted ileum morphology. Additionally, DEHP exposure disrupted gut barrier function, causing intestinal inflammation characterized by bacterial translocation and alterations in defense and inflammation-related gene expressions. Moreover, 16S rRNA analysis suggested that DEHP-induced gut microbial remodeling is characterized by an upregulation of detrimental bacteria (Erysipelotrichaceae) and a downregulation of beneficial bacteria (Muribaculaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae). Metabolomics analysis revealed DEHP perturbed gut metabolic homeostasis, particularly affecting the degradation of aromatic compounds, which generated an aberrant activation of the AhR and NF-κB, subsequently causing intestinal inflammation. Consequently, our results elucidate the mechanistic link between disrupted gut microbiota and metabolome and the initiation of DEHP-induced intestinal inflammation, mediated through the AhR/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Identification of microRNAs implicated in modulating resveratrol-induced apoptosis in porcine granulosa cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in the complex and dynamic network that regulates the apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells (POGCs). Resveratrol (RSV) is a nonflavonoid polyphenol compound that is involved in follicular development and ovulation. In previous study, we established a model of RSV treatment of POGCs, confirming the regulatory effect of RSV in POGCs. To investigate the miRNA-level effects of RSV on POGCs to reveal differentially expressed miRNAs, a control group (n = 3, 0 μM RSV group), a low RSV group (n = 3, 50 μM RSV group), and a high RSV group (n = 3, 100 μM RSV group) were created for small RNA-seq. In total, 113 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) were identified, and a RT-qPCR analysis showed a correlation with the sequencing data. Functional annotation analysis revealed that DE-miRNAs in the LOW vs. CON group may be involved in cell development, proliferation, and apoptosis. In the HIGH vs. CON group, RSV functions were associated with metabolic processes and responses to stimuli, while the pathways were related to PI3K24, Akt, Wnt, and apoptosis. In addition, we constructed miRNA-mRNA networks related to Apoptosis and Metabolism. Then, ssc-miR-34a and ssc-miR-143-5p were selected as key miRNAs. In conclusion, this study provided an improved understanding of effects of RSV on POGCs apoptosis through the miRNA modulations. The results suggest that RSV may promote POGCs apoptosis by stimulating the miRNA expressions and provided a better understanding of the role of miRNAs combined with RSV in ovarian granulosa cell development in pigs.

Bisphenol P exposure in C57BL/6 mice caused gut microbiota dysbiosis and induced intestinal barrier disruption via LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Despite being one of the most world's widely used and mass-produced compounds, bisphenol A (BPA) has a wide range of toxic effects. Bisphenol P (BPP), an alternative to BPA, has been detected in many foods. The effects of BPP dietary exposure on gut microbiota and the intestinal barrier were unclear. We designed three batches of animal experiments: The first studied mice were exposed to BPP (30 µg/kg BW/day) for nine weeks and found that they gained weight and developed dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. The second, using typical human exposure levels (L, 0.3 µg/kg BW/day BPP) and higher concentrations (M, 30 µg/kg BW/day BPP; H, 3000 µg/kg BW/day BPP), caused gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice, activated the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) /TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, triggered an inflammatory response, increased intestinal permeability, and promoted bacterial translocation leading to intestinal barrier disruption. The third treatment used a combination of antibiotics and alleviated intestinal inflammation and injury. This study demonstrated the mechanism of injury and concentration effects of intestinal damage caused by BPP exposure, providing reference data for BPP use and control and yielding new insights for human disease prevention.

Polysaccharide from aerial part of Chuanminshen violaceum alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory response in aging mice through modulating intestinal microbiota

Aging is a biological process of progressive deterioration of physiological functions, which poses a serious threat to individual health and a heavy burden on public health systems. As population aging continues, research into anti-aging drugs that prolong life and improve health is of particular importance. In this study, the polysaccharide from stems and leaves of Chuanminshen violaceum was obtained with water extraction and alcohol precipitation, and then separated and purified with DEAE anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration to obtain CVP-AP-I. We gavaged natural aging mice with CVP-AP-I and performed serum biochemical analysis, histological staining, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and ELISA kit assays to analyze inflammation and oxidative stress-related gene and protein expression in tissues, and 16SrRNA to analyze intestinal flora. We found that CVP-AP-I significantly improved oxidative stress and inflammatory responses of the intestine and liver, restored the intestinal immune barrier, and balanced the dysbiosis of intestinal flora. In addition, we revealed the potential mechanism behind CVP-AP-I to improve intestinal and liver function by regulating intestinal flora balance and repairing the intestinal immune barrier to regulate the intestinal-liver axis. Our results indicated that C. violaceum polysaccharides possessed favorable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potentially anti-aging effects in vivo.