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Zhang Y, Li H, Liu X, Wang Q, Zhao D, Su M, Jia Z, Shen S. Integrating Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology to Decipher the Hepatoprotective Effect Mechanisms of Magnesium Isoglycyrrhizinate Injection. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 46:279-298. [PMID: 38248321 PMCID: PMC10813909 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010019] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the liver protective effects of a fourth-generation glycyrrhizic acid product (magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate injection, MII) in the treatment of mice with drug-induced liver injury-specifically, to determine its effects on plasma metabolites. Moreover, the possible mechanism of its intervention in lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism through the liver protective effect was preliminarily explored, combined with network pharmacology. The liver injury model of mice was established using acetaminophen (APAP). The protective effect of MII on the mice model was evaluated using pathological tissue sections and biochemical indices such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Metabolomics analysis of plasma was performed using the UHPLC-QTOF/MS technique to screen for potential biomarkers and enriched metabolic pathways. The potential targets and pathways of MII were predicted by network pharmacology, and the mechanism was verified by Western blot analysis. MII significantly improved the pathological liver changes in mice with liver injury. The content of ALT and AST was decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01). A total of 29 potential biomarkers were identified in the metabolomics analysis, mainly involving seven pathways, such as lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. A total of 44 intersection targets of MII in the treatment of liver injury were obtained by network pharmacology, involving lipid metabolism and other related pathways. Western blot analysis results showed that MII could significantly reduce the expression of JAK2 and STAT3. MII can effectively ameliorate liver injury in modeled mice through related pathways such as lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. This study could provide not only a scientific basis for the elucidation of the mechanism of action of MII in exerting a hepatoprotective effect, but also a reference for its rational clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (M.S.)
- NDMA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Generic Drug, Hebei Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; (X.L.); (Q.W.); (D.Z.)
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (M.S.)
- NDMA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Generic Drug, Hebei Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; (X.L.); (Q.W.); (D.Z.)
| | - Xueli Liu
- NDMA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Generic Drug, Hebei Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; (X.L.); (Q.W.); (D.Z.)
| | - Qiang Wang
- NDMA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Generic Drug, Hebei Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; (X.L.); (Q.W.); (D.Z.)
| | - Dong Zhao
- NDMA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Generic Drug, Hebei Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; (X.L.); (Q.W.); (D.Z.)
| | - Ming Su
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Zhixin Jia
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China;
| | - Shigang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (M.S.)
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Zheng W, Shi C, Meng Y, Peng J, Zhou Y, Pan T, Ning K, Xie Q, Xiang H. Integrated network analysis and metabolomics reveal the molecular mechanism of Yinchen Sini decoction in CCl 4-induced acute liver injury. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1221046. [PMID: 37818184 PMCID: PMC10561237 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1221046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Yinchen Sini decoction (YCSND), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, plays a crucial role in the treatment of liver disease. However, the bioactive constituents and pharmacological mechanisms of action remain unclear. The present study aimed to reveal the molecular mechanism of YCSND in the treatment of acute liver injury (ALI) using integrated network analysis and metabolomics. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive focus mass spectrum (UHPLC-QE-MS) was utilized to identify metabolites in YCSND, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to evaluate the quality of four botanical drugs in YCSND. Cell damage and ALI models in mice were established using CCl4. 1H-NMR metabolomics approach, along with histopathological observation using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), biochemical measurements, and reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), was applied to evaluate the effect of YCSND on CCl4- induced ALI. Network analysis was conducted to predict the potential targets of YCSND in ALI. Result: Our results showed that 89 metabolites in YCSND were identified using UHPLC-QE-MS. YCSND protected against ALI by reducing the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and increasing those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) both in vivo and in vitro. The 1H-NMRmetabolic pattern revealed that YCSND reversed CCl4-induced metabolic abnormalities in the liver. Additionally, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis identified five pathways related to liver injury, including the PI3K-AKT, MAPK, HIF-1, apoptosis, and TNF signaling pathways. Moreover, RT-qPCR showed YCSND regulated the inflammatory response (Tlr4, Il6, Tnfα, Nfκb1, Ptgs2, and Mmp9) and apoptosis (Bcl2, Caspase3, Bax, and Mapk3), and inhibited PI3K-AKT signaling pathway (Pi3k and Akt1). Combined network analysis and metabolomics showed a link between the key targets (Tlr4, Ptgs2, and Mmp9) and vital metabolites (choline, xanthine, lactate, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid) of YCSND in ALI. Conclusion: Overall, the results contribute to the understanding of the therapeutic effects of YCSND on ALI, and indicate that the integrated network analysis and metabolomics could be a powerful strategy to reveal the pharmacological effects of TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chao Shi
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yao Meng
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jian Peng
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yongfei Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tong Pan
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ke Ning
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qiuhong Xie
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Institute of Changbai Mountain Resource and Health, Jilin University, Fusong, Jilin, China
| | - Hongyu Xiang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Institute of Changbai Mountain Resource and Health, Jilin University, Fusong, Jilin, China
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Sepehrinezhad A, Shahbazi A, Sahab Negah S, Stolze Larsen F. New Insight Into Mechanisms of Hepatic Encephalopathy: An Integrative Analysis Approach to Identify Molecular Markers and Therapeutic Targets. Bioinform Biol Insights 2023; 17:11779322231155068. [PMID: 36814683 PMCID: PMC9940182 DOI: 10.1177/11779322231155068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a set of complex neurological complications that arise from advanced liver disease. The precise molecular and cellular mechanism of HE is not fully understood. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from microarray technologies are powerful approaches to obtain new insight into the pathophysiology of HE. We analyzed microarray data sets of cirrhotic patients with HE from Gene Expression Omnibus to identify DEGs in postmortem cerebral tissues. Consequently, we uploaded significant DEGs into the STRING to specify protein-protein interactions. Cytoscape was used to reconstruct the genetic network and identify hub genes. Target genes were uploaded to different databases to perform comprehensive enrichment analysis and repurpose new therapeutic options for HE. A total of 457 DEGs were identified in 2 data sets totally from 12 cirrhotic patients with HE compared with 12 healthy subjects. We found that 274 genes were upregulated and 183 genes were downregulated. Network analyses on significant DEGs indicated 12 hub genes associated with HE. Enrichment analysis identified fatty acid beta-oxidation, cerebral organic acidurias, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton as main involved pathways associated with upregulated genes; serotonin receptor 2 and ELK-SRF/GATA4 signaling, GPCRs, class A rhodopsin-like, and p38 MAPK signaling pathway were related to downregulated genes. Finally, we predicted 39 probable effective drugs/agents for HE. This study not only confirms main important involved mechanisms of HE but also reveals some yet unknown activated molecular and cellular pathways in human HE. In addition, new targets were identified that could be of value in the future study of HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Sepehrinezhad
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Shahbazi
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Ali Shahbazi, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran.
| | - Sajad Sahab Negah
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fin Stolze Larsen
- Department of Hepatology CA-3163, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Elbakry MMM, Mansour SZ, Helal H, Ahmed ESA. Nattokinase attenuates bisphenol A or gamma irradiation-mediated hepatic and neural toxicity by activation of Nrf2 and suppression of inflammatory mediators in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:75086-75100. [PMID: 35648353 PMCID: PMC9550699 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Nattokinase (NK), a protease enzyme produced by Bacillus subtilis, has various biological effects such as lipid-lowering activity, antihypertensive, antiplatelet/anticoagulant, and neuroprotective effects. Exposure to environmental toxicants such as bisphenol A (BPA) or γ-radiation (IR) causes multi-organ toxicity through several mechanisms such as impairment of oxidative status, signaling pathways, and hepatic and neuronal functions as well as disruption of the inflammatory responses. Therefore, this study is designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of NK against BPA- or IR-induced liver and brain damage in rats. Serum ammonia level and liver function tests were measured in addition to brain oxidative stress markers, amyloid-beta, tau protein, and neuroinflammatory mediators. Moreover, relative quantification of brain nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) genes, as well as apoptotic markers in brain tissue, was carried out in addition to histopathological examination. The results showed that NK improved liver functions, impaired oxidative status, the cholinergic deficits, and minified the misfolded proteins aggregates. Furthermore, NK alleviated the neuroinflammation via modulating NF-κB/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and glial cell activation in addition to their antiapoptotic effect. Collectively, the current results revealed the protective effect of NK against hepatic and neurotoxicity derived from BPA or IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa M M Elbakry
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Somaya Z Mansour
- Radiation Biology Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Nasr City, Cairo, 11787, Egypt
| | - Hamed Helal
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Esraa S A Ahmed
- Radiation Biology Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Nasr City, Cairo, 11787, Egypt.
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