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Papadimitriou K, Mousiolis AC, Mintziori G, Tarenidou C, Polyzos SA, Goulis DG. Hypogonadism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-03878-1. [PMID: 38771482 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03878-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently proposed to be renamed to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a major global public health concern, affecting approximately 25-30% of the adult population and possibly leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation. The liver is involved in the actions of sex steroids via their hepatic metabolism and production of the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Liver disease, including NAFLD, is associated with reproductive dysfunction in men and women, and the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with hypogonadism is considerable. A wide spectrum of possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking NAFLD and male/female hypogonadism has been investigated. As therapies targeting NAFLD may impact hypogonadism in men and women, and vice versa, treatments of the latter may affect NAFLD, and an insight into their pathophysiological pathways is imperative. This paper aims to elucidate the complex association between NAFLD and hypogonadism in men and women and discuss the therapeutic options and their impact on both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasiani Papadimitriou
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Athanasios C Mousiolis
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Gesthimani Mintziori
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios G Goulis
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Smiriglia A, Lorito N, Serra M, Perra A, Morandi A, Kowalik MA. Sex difference in liver diseases: How preclinical models help to dissect the sex-related mechanisms sustaining NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma. iScience 2023; 26:108363. [PMID: 38034347 PMCID: PMC10682354 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Only a few preclinical findings are confirmed in the clinic, posing a critical issue for clinical development. Therefore, identifying the best preclinical models can help to dissect molecular and mechanistic insights into liver disease pathogenesis while being clinically relevant. In this context, the sex relevance of most preclinical models has been only partially considered. This is particularly significant in NAFLD and HCC, which have a higher prevalence in men when compared to pre-menopause women but not to those in post-menopausal status, suggesting a role for sex hormones in the pathogenesis of the diseases. This review gathers the sex-relevant findings and the available preclinical models focusing on both in vitro and in vivo studies and discusses the potential implications and perspectives of introducing the sex effect in the selection of the best preclinical model. This is a critical aspect that would help to tailor personalized therapies based on sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Smiriglia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Nicla Lorito
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Andrea Morandi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
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Dungubat E, Kusano H, Mori I, Tawara H, Sutoh M, Ohkura N, Takanashi M, Kuroda M, Harada N, Udo E, Souda M, Furusato B, Fukusato T, Takahashi Y. Age-dependent sex difference of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in TSOD and db/db mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278580. [PMID: 36516179 PMCID: PMC9750023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
According to previous clinical studies, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is higher in men than women only during the reproductive age. Animal models of NAFLD that reflect sex differences in humans have not been established. In this study, we examined sex differences in the hepatic lesions of Tsumura Suzuki obese diabetes (TSOD) and db/db mice, which are representative genetic models of NAFLD. Male and female TSOD and db/db mice were fed with a normal diet and tap water ad libitum. Six male and female mice of each strain were sacrificed at the ages of 3 and 9 months, respectively, and serum biochemical, pathological, and molecular analyses were performed. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly higher in male than female mice of both strains at the age of 3 months; however, at 9 months, significant sex differences were not observed. Similarly, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in male mice than in female TSOD mice at the age of 3 months; however, at 9 months, significant sex differences were not observed. Image analysis of histological slides revealed that the frequency of the steatotic area was significantly higher in male than female db/db mice at the age of 3 months; however, significant sex differences were not observed at 9 months. The frequency of Sirius red-positive fibrotic area was significantly higher in male than female mice in both strains at the age of 3 months; however, significant sex differences were not observed at 9 months. Serum AST and ALT levels and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in TSOD and db/db mice showed age-dependent sex differences consistent with those observed in human NAFLD. These mice may be suitable for studying sex differences of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdenetsogt Dungubat
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan,Department of Pathology, School of Biomedicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Hiroyuki Kusano
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
| | - Ichiro Mori
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
| | | | - Mitsuko Sutoh
- Institute for Animal Reproduction, Kasumigaura, Japan
| | - Naoki Ohkura
- Faculty of Pharma Sciences, Laboratory of Host Defence, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Harada
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Emiko Udo
- Clinical Genomics Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masakazu Souda
- Clinical Genomics Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Bungo Furusato
- Clinical Genomics Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Toshio Fukusato
- General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Takahashi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan,* E-mail:
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Robeva R, Mladenović D, Vesković M, Hrnčić D, Bjekić-Macut J, Stanojlović O, Livadas S, Yildiz BO, Macut D. The interplay between metabolic dysregulations and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in women after menopause. Maturitas 2021; 151:22-30. [PMID: 34446275 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hypoestrogenic period after menopause and associated metabolic imbalance might facilitate the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression. The prevalence of NAFLD increases in patients experiencing premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as surgical or natural menopause. The postmenopausal period is characterized by dyslipidemia and insulin resistance associated with an increased influx of free fatty acids to the liver with consequent steatosis and further progression of NAFLD. More than half of postmenopausal women with diabetes mellitus type 2 suffer from NAFLD. It is suggested that estrogens slow the progression of chronic liver diseases by suppression of inflammation, improvement of mitochondrial function, alleviation of oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fibrogenesis. The hyperandrogenic state of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with the development of NAFLD in women of reproductive age, but it is difficult to extend these findings to menopause due to inappropriate diagnosis of PCOS after menopause. Lifestyle intervention, including physical activity and dietary regimens, remains the first-line preventive and therapeutic option for NAFLD. There are contradictory reports on the use of menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) and NAFLD. It is necessary to investigate the potential effects of estradiol dose, progesterone type, selective estrogen receptor modulators and tissue-selective estrogen complex compounds on NAFLD development and progression in postmenopausal women. The present review aims to explore the pathophysiological and clinical aspects of liver metabolic disturbances in women after menopause, focusing on the possible preventive and therapeutic strategies in NAFLD, including the potential role of MHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralitsa Robeva
- Department of Endocrinology, USHATE "Acad. Iv. Penchev", Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Dušan Mladenović
- Institute of Pathophysiology "Ljubodrag Buba Mihailović", Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Vesković
- Institute of Pathophysiology "Ljubodrag Buba Mihailović", Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Hrnčić
- Institute of Medicinal Physiology "Richard Burian", Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelica Bjekić-Macut
- Department of Endocrinology, CHC Bežanijska kosa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olivera Stanojlović
- Institute of Medicinal Physiology "Richard Burian", Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Bulent O Yildiz
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
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Olivero-Verbel J, Harkema JR, Roth RA, Ganey PE. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha agonist, blocks steatosis and alters the inflammatory response in a mouse model of inflammation-dioxin interaction. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 345:109521. [PMID: 34052195 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin; TCDD) is an environmental contaminant that elicits a variety of toxic effects, many of which are mediated through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Interaction between AhR and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), which regulates fatty acid metabolism, has been suggested. Furthermore, with recognition of the prevalence of inflammatory conditions, there is current interest in the potential for inflammatory stress to modulate the response to environmental agents. The aim of this work was to assess the interaction of TCDD with hepatic inflammation modulated by fenofibrate, a PPAR-α agonist. Female, C57BL/6 mice were treated orally with vehicle or fenofibrate (250 mg/kg) for 13 days, and then were given vehicle or 30 μg/kg TCDD. Four days later, the animals received an i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide-galactosamine (LPS-GalN) (0.05x107 EU/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively) to incite inflammation, or saline as vehicle control. After 4 h, the mice were euthanized, and blood and liver samples were collected for analysis. Livers of animals treated with TCDD with or without LPS-GalN had increased lipid deposition, and this effect was blocked by fenofibrate. In TCDD/LPS-GalN-treated mice, fenofibrate caused an increase in plasma activity of alanine aminotransferase, a marker of hepatocellular injury. TCDD reduced LPS-GalN-induced apoptosis, an effect that was prevented by fenofibrate pretreatment. LPS-GalN induced an increase in the concentration of interleukin-6 in plasma and accumulation of neutrophils in liver. TCDD exposure enhanced the former response and inhibited the latter one. These results suggest that fenofibrate counteracts the changes in lipid metabolism induced by TCDD but increases inflammation and liver injury in this model of inflammation-TCDD interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Olivero-Verbel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, 130014, Colombia
| | - Jack R Harkema
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, USA
| | - Robert A Roth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Patricia E Ganey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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