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Hliwa A, Lange-Andrzejewska O, Laski D, Sledzinski M, Remiszewski P, Drobinska A, Mika A, Sledzinski T. Alterations of the Fatty Acid Profile and the Expression of Genes Related to FA Metabolism in Cirrhotic Liver Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8115. [PMID: 39125684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158115] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In addition to direct damage to hepatocytes, long-term ethanol consumption leads to lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis, as well as to the dysregulation of lipid metabolism. The final step in various liver diseases is cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the FA (fatty acids) profile and expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism in cirrhotic liver tissue and normal liver tissue. Exploring the changes in the FA profile and expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism in cirrhotic liver tissue reveals a molecular landscape that goes beyond the surface of traditional liver function assessments. Understanding the shifts in gene expression and fatty acid composition in liver tissue opens avenues for interventions that may aid in the treatment of cirrhosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Hliwa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Debinki 1, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Oliwia Lange-Andrzejewska
- Department of Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Laski
- Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Smoluchowskiego 17, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maciej Sledzinski
- Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Smoluchowskiego 17, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Piotr Remiszewski
- Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Smoluchowskiego 17, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna Drobinska
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Hypertension, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Smoluchowskiego 17, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Adriana Mika
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Debinki 1, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tomasz Sledzinski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Debinki 1, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
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Wang X, Zhang L, Dong B. Molecular mechanisms in MASLD/MASH-related HCC. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00739. [PMID: 38349726 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and ranks as the sixth most prevalent cancer type globally. NAFLD or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and its more severe manifestation, NASH or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), pose a significant global health concern, affecting approximately 20%-25% of the population. The increased prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and MASH is parallel to the increasing rates of obesity-associated metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver diseases. MASH can progress to MASH-related HCC (MASH-HCC) in about 2% of cases each year, influenced by various factors such as genetic mutations, carcinogen exposure, immune microenvironment, and microbiome. MASH-HCC exhibits distinct molecular and immune characteristics compared to other causes of HCC and affects both men and women equally. The management of early to intermediate-stage MASH-HCC typically involves surgery and locoregional therapies, while advanced HCC is treated with systemic therapies, including anti-angiogenic therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this comprehensive review, we consolidate previous research findings while also providing the most current insights into the intricate molecular processes underlying MASH-HCC development. We delve into MASH-HCC-associated genetic variations and somatic mutations, disease progression and research models, multiomics analysis, immunological and microenvironmental impacts, and discuss targeted/combined therapies to overcome immune evasion and the biomarkers to recognize treatment responders. By furthering our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying MASH-HCC, our goal is to catalyze the advancement of more potent treatment strategies, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bingning Dong
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Nikiforaki K, Marias K. MRI Methods to Visualize and Quantify Adipose Tissue in Health and Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3179. [PMID: 38137400 PMCID: PMC10740979 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123179] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
MRI is the modality of choice for a vast range of pathologies but also a sensitive probe into human physiology and tissue function. For this reason, several methodologies have been developed and continuously evolve in order to non-invasively monitor underlying phenomena in human adipose tissue that were difficult to assess in the past through visual inspection of standard imaging modalities. To this end, this work describes the imaging methodologies used in medical practice and lists the most important quantitative markers related to adipose tissue physiology and pathology that are currently supporting diagnosis, longitudinal evaluation and patient management decisions. The underlying physical principles and the resulting markers are presented and associated with frequently encountered pathologies in radiology in order to set the frame of the ability of MRI to reveal the complex role of adipose tissue, not as an inert tissue but as an active endocrine organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Nikiforaki
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Kostas Marias
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece;
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
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Lee R, Lee WY, Park HJ. Effects of Melatonin on Liver of D-Galactose-Induced Aged Mouse Model. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8412-8426. [PMID: 37886973 PMCID: PMC10604925 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland of vertebrates, regulates sleep, blood pressure, and circadian and seasonal rhythms, and acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. We investigated the protective effects of melatonin against markers of D-galactose (D-Gal)-induced hepatocellular aging, including liver inflammation, hepatocyte structural damage, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Mice were divided into four groups: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, control), D-Gal (200 mg/kg/day), melatonin (20 mg/kg), and D-Gal (200 mg/kg) and melatonin (20 mg) cotreatment. The treatments were administered once daily for eight consecutive weeks. Melatonin treatment alleviated D-Gal-induced hepatocyte impairment. The AST level was significantly increased in the D-Gal-treated groups compared to that in the control group, while the ALT level was decreased compared to the melatonin and D-Gal cotreated group. Inflammatory genes, such as IL1-β, NF-κB, IL-6, TNFα, and iNOS, were significantly increased in the D-Gal aging model, whereas the expression levels of these genes were low in the D-Gal and melatonin cotreated group. Interestingly, the expression levels of hepatic steatosis-related genes, such as LXRα, C/EBPα, PPARα, ACC, ACOX1, and CPT-1, were markedly decreased in the D-Gal and melatonin cotreated group. These results suggest that melatonin suppresses hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a mouse model of D-Gal-induced aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Lee
- Department of Livestock, Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jeonju 54874, Republic of Korea; (R.L.); (W.-Y.L.)
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sangji University, Wonju-si 26339, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Yong Lee
- Department of Livestock, Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jeonju 54874, Republic of Korea; (R.L.); (W.-Y.L.)
| | - Hyun-Jung Park
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sangji University, Wonju-si 26339, Republic of Korea
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Patel P, Selvaraju V, Babu JR, Geetha T. Association of the DNA Methylation of Obesity-Related Genes with the Dietary Nutrient Intake in Children. Nutrients 2023; 15:2840. [PMID: 37447167 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132840] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of obesity stems from both genetic and external influences. Despite thorough research and attempts to address it through various means such as dietary changes, physical activity, education, and medications, a lasting solution to this widespread problem remains elusive. Nutrients play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression. One of the mechanisms by which nutrients can affect gene expression is through DNA methylation. This modification can alter the accessibility of DNA to transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, thereby influencing gene expression. Nutrients such as folate and vitamin B12 are involved in the one-carbon metabolism pathway, which provides the methyl groups necessary for DNA methylation. Studies have shown that the inadequate intake of these nutrients can lead to alterations in DNA methylation patterns. For this study, we aim to understand the differences in the association of the dietary intake between normal weight and overweight/obese children and between European American and African American children with the DNA methylation of the three genes NRF1, FTO, and LEPR. The research discovered a significant association between the nutritional intake of 6-10-years-old children, particularly the methyl donors present in their diet, and the methylation of the NRF1, FTO, and LEPR genes. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of considering health inequalities, particularly family income and maternal education, when investigating the epigenetic impact of methyl donors in diet and gene methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyadarshni Patel
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | | | - Jeganathan Ramesh Babu
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Boshell Metabolic Diseases and Diabetes Program, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Thangiah Geetha
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Boshell Metabolic Diseases and Diabetes Program, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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