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Chen C, Liu XC, Deng B. Protective Effects of Berberine on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in db/db Mice via AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway Activation. Curr Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11596-024-2914-y. [PMID: 39039374 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-024-2914-y] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Berberine (BBR) has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS In this study, db/db mice were chosen as an animal model for NAFLD. A total of 10 healthy C57BL/6J mice and 30 db/db mice were randomly allocated to one of 4 groups: the normal control (NC) group, the diabetic control (DC) group, the Metformin (MET) therapy group, and the BBR therapy group. The total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the serum were measured. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) levels in liver tissue were measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), acid-Schiff (PAS) and TUNEL stanning was performed for histopathological analysis. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were conducted to detect the expression levels of key proteins in the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. RESULTS BBR could improve lipid metabolism, attenuate hepatic steatosis and alleviate liver injury significantly. The excessive oxidative stress, high levels of inflammation and abnormal apoptosis in db/db mice were reversed after BBR intervention. BBR clearly changed the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and their downstream proteins. CONCLUSION BBR could reverse NAFLD-related liver injury, likely by activating the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in hepatic tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434020, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiao-Cui Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bin Deng
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Song W, Wen R, Liu T, Zhou L, Wang G, Dai X, Shi L. Oat-based postbiotics ameliorate high-sucrose induced liver injury and colitis susceptibility by modulating fatty acids metabolism and gut microbiota. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 125:109553. [PMID: 38147914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2023.109553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
High-sucrose (HS) consumption leads to metabolic disorders and increases susceptibility to colitis. Postbiotics hold great potentials in combating metabolic diseases and offer advantages in safety and processability, compared with living probiotics. We developed innovative oat-based postbiotics and extensively explored how they could benefit in rats with long-term high-sucrose consumption. The postbiotics fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (OF-1) and OF-5, the one fermented with the optimal selection of five probiotics (i.e., L. plantarum, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactis) alleviated HS induced liver injury, impaired fatty acid metabolism and inflammation through activating AMPK/SREBP-1c pathways. Moreover, oat-based postbiotics restored detrimental effects of HS on fatty acid profiles in liver, as evidenced by the increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreases in saturated fatty acids, with OF-5 showing most pronounced effects. Furthermore, oat-based postbiotics prevented HS exacerbated susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate caused colitis and reconstructed epithelial tight junction proteins in colons. Oat-based postbiotics, in particular OF-5 notably remodeled gut microbiota composition, e.g., enriching the relative abundances of Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Alloprevotella and Prevotella, which may play an important role in the liver-colon axis responsible for improvements of liver functions and reduction of colitis susceptibility. The heat-inactivated probiotics protected against HS-induced liver and colon damage, but such effects were less pronounced compared with oat-based postbiotics. Our findings emphasize the great value of oat-based postbiotics as nutritional therapeutics to combat unhealthy diet induced metabolic dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- School of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruixue Wen
- School of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianqi Liu
- School of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lanqi Zhou
- School of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guoze Wang
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Xiaoshuang Dai
- BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Agro, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Shi
- School of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Tao W, Fan Q, Wei J. Gut-Liver Axis as a Therapeutic Target for Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:1219-1236. [PMID: 38392196 PMCID: PMC10887627 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46020078] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a liver disease that remains difficult to predict and diagnose, and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully clarified. The gut-liver axis refers to the reciprocal interactions between the gut and the liver, and its homeostasis plays a prominent role in maintaining liver health. It has been recently reported that patients and animals with DILI have a disrupted gut-liver axis, involving altered gut microbiota composition, increased intestinal permeability and lipopolysaccharide translocation, decreased short-chain fatty acids production, and impaired bile acid metabolism homeostasis. The present review will summarize the evidence from both clinical and preclinical studies about the role of the gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of DILI. Moreover, we will focus attention on the potential therapeutic strategies for DILI based on improving gut-liver axis function, including herbs and phytochemicals, probiotics, fecal microbial transplantation, postbiotics, bile acids, and Farnesoid X receptor agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Tao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Qiwen Fan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Jintao Wei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
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Li H, Wang XK, Tang M, Lei L, Li JR, Sun H, Jiang J, Dong B, Li HY, Jiang JD, Peng ZG. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron ameliorates mouse hepatic steatosis through regulating gut microbial composition, gut-liver folate and unsaturated fatty acids metabolism. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2304159. [PMID: 38277137 PMCID: PMC10824146 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2304159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota plays an essential role in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), making the gut-liver axis a potential therapeutic strategy. Bacteroides genus, the enriched gut symbionts, has shown promise in treating fatty liver. However, further investigation is needed to identify specific beneficial Bacteroides strains for metabolic disorders in NAFLD and elucidate their underlying mechanisms. In this study, we observed a positive correlation between the abundance of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (B. theta) and the alleviation of metabolic syndrome in the early and end stages of NAFLD. Administration of B. theta to HFD-fed mice for 12 weeks reduced body weight and fat accumulation, decreased hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance, and prevented hepatic steatohepatitis and liver injury. Notably, B. theta did not affect these indicators in low-fat diet (LFD)-fed mice and exhibited good safety. Mechanistically, B. theta regulated gut microbial composition, characterized by a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in HFD-Fed mice. It also increased gut-liver folate levels and hepatic metabolites, alleviating metabolic dysfunction. Additionally, treatment with B. theta increased the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acid in the mouse liver, offering a widely reported benefit for NAFLD improvement. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that B. theta ameliorates NAFLD by regulating gut microbial composition, enhancing gut-liver folate and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, highlighting the therapeutic role of B. theta as a potential probiotic for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Kai Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Tang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Lei
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Rui Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Han Sun
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Biao Dong
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Ying Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Dong Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zong-Gen Peng
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Lu R, Liu Y, Hong T. Epidemiological characteristics and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in China: A narrative review. Diabetes Obes Metab 2023; 25 Suppl 1:13-26. [PMID: 36775938 DOI: 10.1111/dom.15014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
AIM With industrialization and spread of the westernized lifestyle, the number of people affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is growing rapidly in China; this has become a major public health concern. To better understand the burden and characteristics of NAFLD/NASH in China, we aim to perform a narrative review of the literature published in this field. MATERIALS AND METHODS We carried out a comprehensive electronic search of five English-language and three Chinese-language databases, to identify studies regarding NAFLD or NASH published from inception to November 30, 2022. Epidemiological studies of NAFLD/NASH in China were particularly noticed and summarized. We also searched the www. CLINICALTRIALS gov and www.chictr.org.cn websites for the registered trials on the treatment of the disease led by Chinese investigators or located in China. RESULTS The increasing rate of NAFLD prevalence in China is strikingly high, reaching more than twice that in western countries. The prevalence of NAFLD is nearly 30% of the general Chinese population, making it the leading cause of chronic liver diseases. The prevalence of NAFLD/NASH varies between provinces/regions, age groups, sexes, and individuals with different metabolic profiles. NAFLD co-exists in many Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B. Since 2020, more Chinese studies have used the term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), emphasizing the underlying metabolic disorders that occur concurrently with this disease. Several clinical trials involving lifestyle interventions, antidiabetic drugs, or traditional Chinese medicines, registered by Chinese investigators, have been completed or are ongoing. Moreover, several innovative targeted therapies developed in China are revolutionizing the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD has cast a heavy burden on the Chinese healthcare system. Chinese scholars are making efforts to achieve the optimal management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tianpei Hong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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