Human Hepatocyte Nuclear Factors (HNF1 and LXRb) Regulate CYP7A1 in HIV-Infected Black South African Women with Gallstone Disease: A Preliminary Study

Protective effects of cilostazol via the HNF1α/FXR signalling pathway and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in a rat model of estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis

Currently, there is a lack of targeted medications for estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis (EIC) and the primary objective in managing this condition is to safeguard liver function. Consequently, this study was conducted to examine the pharmacological efficacy of cilostazol (CTZ) in the management of EIC and explore its underlying mechanisms through the use of an animal model. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six animals each: Normal group, 17-ethinylestradiol (EE)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis group, EE + ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated group, EE + CTZ (5 mg/kg)-treated group, and EE + CTZ (10 mg/kg)-treated group. It was found that the therapeutic efficacy of UDCA and low dosage of CTZ (5 mg/kg) was comparable. Nevertheless, when CTZ was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg, it resulted in the normalization of all liver function parameters, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory markers, together with improvement in the histopathological derangements and hepatocytic apoptosis. These effects were mediated through the activation of the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF1α)/Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) pathway with subsequent down-regulation of the bile acids (BAs) synthesis enzyme; cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and up-regulation of the BAs-metabolizing enzyme; cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A1 and the bile salt export pump; BSEP. Therefore, the administration of CTZ in a dose-dependent manner can protect against EIC through regulating the HNF1α/FXR pathway and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. This implies that CTZ exhibits considerable promise as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cholestatic liver disorders.

Papaverine attenuates the progression of alpha naphthylisothiocyanate induce cholestasis in rats

Cholestasis is a hepatobiliary condition that manifests as acute or chronic and results from disruptions in the bile flow, formation, or secretion processes. The Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a vital target for the therapy of cholestasis since it regulates BA homeostasis. Despite the discovery of multiple active FXR agonists, there are still no effective treatments for cholestasis. Papaverine is identified as an FXR agonist.This study investigates papaverine's efficacy and probable mechanism in protecting against alpha naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) induced cholestasis. Thirty male albino rats were divided into three groups, each with ten rats. Group I (control) rats were administered 1 mL/kg corn oil 48 h before sacrifice; group II rats were orally administered 100 mg/kg ANIT. Group III received a 200 mg/kg dosage of papaverine over seven consecutive days. A single dose of ANIT at a concentration of 100 mg/kg was orally administered on the fifth day; group II and III animals were euthanized 48 h after inducing cholestasis, and serum concentrations of liver function tests and total bile acid (TBA) were measured. Besides measuring the inflammatory mediator's tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 (IL-1β), antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were also assessed. The findings indicated the enhancement in the liver function test and total bile acids, as well as in liver histology; papaverine significantly lowered TNF-α and IL-1β while SOD and GSH significantly increased. Additionally, papaverine upregulates Fxr gene expression, bile salt export pump (Besp), small heterodimer partner (shp), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (Hnfα), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), heme oxygenase (Ho-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1). Furthermore, papaverine increased protein expressions of Sirtuin1. (SIRT 1), FXR, HO-1, and BSEP levels in the rats' livers. The protective effects of papaverine may be attributed to the activation of FXR signaling pathways. These findings revealed that papaverine protects against ANIT-induced Cholestasis.