Effect of Maotai liquor in inducing metallothioneins and on hepatic stellate cells

Kweichow Moutai ameliorates alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in mice by targeting the NFκB pathway

Previous epidemiological and histopathological studies have demonstrated that long-term computation of Kweichow Moutai liquor (Moutai) could induce fatty liver disease but few of these patients with fatty liver will develop hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. Moutai liquor has a different brewing technique from other white wine, which may generate various microorganisms in the unique geographical conditions and may produce plenty of vitamins, amino acids, and several essential microelements. In the current study, we evaluated the potential protective effect of Moutai liquor in alcohol-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Both in vivo and in vitro studies were performed for exploring the possible mechanisms in suppressing liver fibrosis by Moutai. We demonstrated that Moutai treatment induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) apoptosis and suppressed collagen deposition, as well as attenuated hepatic fibrosis. The antifibrosis mechanism of Moutai was possibly related with the inhibition of Kupffer cell and HSC activation via suppressing NFκB nuclear translocation and preventing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is worth noting that although Moutai attenuates liver fibrosis, it still causes lipid metabolic abnormalities in mouse liver and induces fatty liver. Kweichow Moutai may ameliorate alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in mice by targeting the NFκB pathway.

Evaluating the Intoxicating Degree of Liquor Products with Combinations of Fusel Alcohols, Acids, and Esters

To investigate the effects of fusel alcohols on the intoxicating degree of liquor products, formulated liquors (FLs) were prepared by blending 1-propanol, isobutanol, and isoamyl alcohol with ethanol, organic acids, and corresponding ethyl esters to simulate the formula of traditional Chinese liquors. The prepared FLs were submitted for evaluation of their intoxicating degree (ID). The results showed that the fusel alcohols had a biphasic effect on the IDs of the FLs, depending on the comprehensive coordination of the characteristic minor components. The importance of the suitable ratio of alcohols/acids/esters (RAAE) on the IDs was also revealed. Under an optimal ratio level, the fusel alcohols exhibited negligible effects on the IDs of the FLs. Moreover, the ratio of isoamyl alcohol to isobutanol (IA/IB) showed a strong positive correlation to the IDs of the FLs. This study lays a foundation for the potential application in producing low-ID liquor.

Maotai ameliorates diethylnitrosamine-initiated hepatocellular carcinoma formation in mice

Consumption of alcohol is closely related to liver disease, such as hepatic fibrosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, epidemiological and experimental studies indicated that consumption of Maotai, one of the famous liquors in China, exhibits no significant correlation with hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis as other beverage sources do. This study detected the relationship of Maotai consumption and HCC development in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated HCC animal model. DEN was given to mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg, ip, and 50 mg/kg, ip in the following week. Mice were simultaneously given Maotai or an equal amount of ethanol (53%, 5 ml/kg/day, 5days/week for up to 35weeks). At 3-week and 35- week of the experiment, serum and livers were collected for biochemical and histopathological examination of liver injury and incidence of HCC. Real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of metallothionein-1/2 (MT-1/2), NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and modified subunit (GCLM). We identified tissue damage and dysfunction of liver in ethanol + DEN-treated mice, whereas the extent of injury was reduced in Maotai+ DEN –treated mice. Significant Glypican-3(GPC3) expression and precancerous injury or HCC were seen in approximately 50% of mice with ethanol+ DEN, but barely be seen in Maotai + DEN-treated mice. A higher expression of MT-1/2, Nrf2 and GCLC could be seen in Maotai + DEN-treated mice. Thus, Maotai liquor ameliorates the formation of DEN-induced HCC in mice, and the protection mechanism is possibly related with the activation of anti-oxidation factors, such as MTs, Nrf2 and GCLC.

Effect of bicyclol on the expression of hepatic immediate early genes, TGF-β1, TIMP1 and collagen in liver tissues of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum

AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of bicyclol on schistosome-infected mice with liver fibrosis and its mechanism.

METHODS: Eighty mice were divided into four groups. Mice in the low-dose, high-dose and experimental control groups were infected with Schistosoma japonicum. After eight weeks, the low-dose and high-dose groups were treated with bicyclol at 60 mg (kg· d) and 120 mg (kg· d), respectively, for 8 weeks. The experimental control group received no treatment. The fourth group was a normal control group. HE staining, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the pathological changes in liver tissues of mice, the expression levels of hepatic c-fos and c-jun mRNAs, and the levels of hepatic transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), and types I and III collagen, before and after treatment.

RESULTS: Bicyclol treatment at a high dosage significantly relieved the degree of hepatic fibrosis compared with the experimental control group. The mRNA expression levels of c-fos and c-jun in liver tissue were significantly reduced in the high-dose group compared with the experimental control and low-dose groups (c-fos mRNA: 0.6511 ± 0.0551 vs 0.7844 ± 0.0852, 0.8072 ± 0.0923; c-jun mRNA: 0.6803 ± 0.0712 vs 0.7982 ± 0.0902, 0.8289 ± 0.094). The levels of hepatic TGF-β1, TIMP1 and types I and III collagen in the high-dose bicyclol treated group (integral light density: 0.1815 ± 0.0231, 0.2324 ± 0.0536, 0.1811 ± 0.0514, 0.1543 ± 0.0603) were significantly lower than those in the experimental control group (0.2139 ± 0.0134, 0.2648 ± 0.0361, 0.2140 ± 0.0271, 0.1862 ± 0.0217), but were still higher than those in the normal control group.

CONCLUSION: The effect of bicyclol on liver fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum infection depend on its dosage. The anti-fibrotic effect of high-dose bicyclol treatment may be due to its inhibition on the expression of immediate early genes, which may lead to reduced synthesis of TGFβ and TIMP1.

Characterization of flavor compounds in Chinese liquor Moutai by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In this paper, a method to characterize the volatile compounds in Chinese liquors by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been developed. The selection of column combination and the optimization of temperature program are discussed. With the optimized conditions, ordered chromatograms are achieved in the two-dimensional plane, which is useful for the identification of unknown compounds. According to the automated data processing by TOFMS software, combining with the ordered chromatogram and the retention index database developed by our group, a total of 528 components are identified in a Moutai liquor sample, including organic acids, alcohols, esters, ketones, aldehydes, acetals, lactones, nitrogen-containing and sulfur-containing compounds, etc. In addition, the contribution of some important aroma compounds to flavor of Moutai liquor has also been studied.

Essential roles of ERKs and p38K in up-regulation of GST A1 expression by Maotai content in human hepatoma cell line Hep3B

It is widely accepted that the consumption of alcohol may lead to hepatic injuries such as hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, consumption of Maotai, one of the famous liquors in China, is found to have no obvious relevance with hepatic injury as ordinary white wine does in both epidemiological and histopathological studies. Present study used human hepatoma cell line Hep3B to address the mechanisms involved in the resistance of alcohol-induced hepatic injury by Maotai liquor. We found that exposure of Hep3B cells to Maotai residue without ethanol (MRWE) resulted in the increased GST A1 anti-oxidant responsive element (ARE) transcriptional expression, while MRWE treatment did not affect Nrf-2-dependent transcriptional activity. Those findings were further confirmed at all time points and doses tested, suggesting that GST A1 transcription was regulated by MRWE via an Nrf-2-independent pathway. Consistent with GST A1 induction, the phosphorylation of c-Jun, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and p38 kinase (p38 K), were also observed in MRWE-treated Hep3B cells. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with either PD98059 (an inhibitor specific for MEK1/2-ERKs pathway) or SB202190 (an inhibitor specific for p38 K) led to a significant decrease in the induction of GST A1 transcriptional expression by MRWE treatment. Our results indicate that certain content in MRWE is able to induce GST A1 ARE transcriptional expression, which may provide protective effects for hepatic cells by antagonizing the oxidative stress derived from ethanol via an ERKs- and p38 K-dependent pathway.

Characterization of an immortalized hepatic stellate cell line established from metallothionein-null mice

Hepatic stellate (HS) cells were isolated from the livers of metallothionein (MT)-null and control mice and used to establish IMS/MT(-) and IMS/N cell lines, respectively, using SV40 virus transformation. Cellular morphology, incorporation of vitamin A and expression of alpha-SMA, desmin and SV40 T-antigen were used to confirm that both cell lines were immortal HS cells. The growth rates of both cell lines were similar and there was little difference between cell line sensitivity to zinc. MT-null IMS/MT(-) cells were more sensitive to cadmium and mercury, although both cell lines accumulated almost equal amounts of cadmium during a 24-hr culture period. As HS cells play an important role in hepatic fibrosis and are activated by heavy metals such as cadmium or reactive oxygen, the MT-null HS cell line derived in this study should be a useful experimental model for examination of the role of MT in HS cell activation.

Differential effects between maotai and ethanol on hepatic gene expression in mice: Possible role of metallothionein and heme oxygenase-1 induction by maotai

Alcohol is a risk factor for liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. On the other hand, light alcoholic beverage consumption is believed to be beneficial because of the effects of both alcohol and nonalcoholic components of the beverage. Maotai is a commonly consumed beverage in China containing 53% alcohol. Epidemiological and experimental studies show that Maotai is less toxic to the liver than ethanol alone. To examine the differential effects of Maotai and ethanol, a low dose of Maotai or an equal amount of ethanol (53%, v/v in water, 5 ml/kg) were given to male mice daily for 1 week, and hepatic RNA was extracted for microarray analysis. Approximately 10% of genes on the liver-selective custom array (588 genes) were altered following Maotai or ethanol administration, but Maotai treated livers had fewer alterations compared with ethanol alone. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed and extended microarray results on selected genes. An induction of metallothionein and heme oxygenase-1 occurred with Maotai, which could not be explained by alcohol consumption alone, whereas the attenuation of ethanol responsive genes such as quinone dehydrogenase, DNA-ligase 1, IGFBP1, and IL-1beta suggests less liver injury occurred with Maotai. The expression of genes related to liver fibrosis, such as cytokeratin-18, was slightly increased by the high dose of ethanol, but was unchanged in the Maotai group. In summary, gene expression analysis indicates that Maotai induces a different response than ethanol alone. The dramatic induction of metallothionein and heme oxygenase-1 with Maotai could be important adaptive responses to reduce alcoholic liver injury.

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Epidemiology of alcoholic liver diseases in Xi'an

AIM

To investigate the characteristics of ethanol consumption in Xi'an area, and to explore the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease and the correlation of the quantity of ethanol consumed with the development of alcoholic liver disease.

METHODS

By random cluster sampling, 9 professional groups of people were chosen in the city and the rural areas as subjects. Questionaire was taken and the data collected and analyzed by specialists.

RESULTS

During April to June 2000, 3 613 persons were investigated. Among them 1270 were drinkers, in which 90.1% were males and only 126 females. 78 persons were alcoholic fatty liver patients (6.1%). The prevalence rate was 2.2% in all subjects. Only one female patient with alcoholic liver disease (0.3%), and 5 cases of alcoholic cirrhosis (0.1%) were found. Alcoholic fatty liver patients consumed the equivalent of 31.3+24.2 g absolute ethanol with a mean duration of 14.0+7.4 years. With increase of alcoholic consumption the serum levels of ALT and AST increased. The prevalence rate of alcoholic fatty liver is higher in city than that in rural area.

CONCLUSION

Alcohol drinkers in Xi'an are very popular. Males are the major population. Alcoholic fatty liver is the most common type of ALD with prevalence rate of 2.2%. The equivalent of 30 g ethanol consumed in more than 14 years may result in alcoholic fatty liver. The alterations of liver function are parallel to the consumption of alcohol.

Experimental study of effect of Ganyanping on fibrosis in rat livers

AIM: To observe the effects of Ganyanping on CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

METHODS: The rats were separated randomly into five groups. Groups A to group D, each consisting of 15 rats, were for different tests, while 8 rats were used as normal controls (N). For group D, CCl₄ was injected subcutaneously, at a dosage of 3 mL/kg for 9 wk. For group A, Ganyanping was administered via gastric tube at a dosage of 10 mL/kg. For group B, the treatment with Ganyanping was started 4 wk after CCl₄ administration. In group C, Ganyanping was administered 8 wk after the intoxication, and treatment lasted for 4 wk. Liver tissues were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Pathologic changes, particularly fibrosis, were evaluated on the HE and V-G-stained sections. Ten middle-power fields were randomly selected for assessment of collagen deposition.

RESULTS: Loss of normal hepatic architecture, some with pseudo-lobule formation, was observed in group D, while hepatocytes steatosis and fibrosis were less pronounced in the animals treated with Ganyanping. Pseudo-lobule formation was not evident in the latter groups. The total collagen area and ratio were 840.23 ± 81.65 and 7.0 ± 0.9, respectively in group D, the ratio being reduced greatly in the Ganyanping-treated groups (148.73 ± 45.89 and 1.16 ± 0.33, respectively). The activities of MAO and ACP were elevated and that of SDH in group D decreased in the hepatic tissue as compared to the control group. The treatment with Ganyanping abrogated these enzymatic changes.

CONCLUSION: Our data approved that Ganyanping could improve the microcirculation in the liver, reduce oxygen-derived free radicals, and enhance the cellular metabolism and immune function, all resulting in an anti-fibrotic effect. Hence, Ganyanping can protect the liver from fibrosis. It may be a safe and effective preparation for patient with fibrosis.

Effect of Activin on extracelluar matrix secretion in isolated rat hepatic stellate cell

AIM

To investigate the effect of activin A on the extracelluar matrix secretion of rat hepatic stellate cell.

METHODS

Hepatic stellate cells were isolated and purified from normal male Sprague-Dawley rat liver by a combination of pronase-collagenase perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. Passaged hepatic stellate cells were divided randomly into eight groups: control group(A group), ACTA 1 μg/L group (B group), ACTA 10 μg/L group(C group), ACTA 100 μg/L group (D group), TGF β₁ 10 μg/L group(E group), TGF β₁ 10 μg/L plus ACTA 1 μg/L group(F group), TGF β₁ 10 μg/L plus ACTA 10 μg/L group(G group), TGF β₁ 10 μg/L plus ACTA 100 μg/L group(H group). 24 h after incubation secretion of procollagen Ⅲ, collagen Ⅳ and mRNA of collagen Ⅲ in hepatic stellate cells were detected by radioimmunoassays and semi-quantitative RT-PCR method respectively.

RESULTS

Extracellular matrix secretion in passaged hepatic stellate cells was enhanced by activin A according to its concentration, the capacity of extracellular matrix secretion by 100 μg/L activin A was equal to that of 10 μg/L TGF β₁, extracellular matrix secretion and type Ⅲ collagen mRNA expression in passaged hepatic stellate cells was enhanced by activin A and TGFβ₁ in a synergistic manner.

CONCLUSION

Activin A may contribute to hepatic fibrogenesis.

Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on fibrosis and hepatic expression of MMP-1 andTIMP-1

AIM: To investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on severity of liver fibrosis and hepatic expressions of MMP-1, TIMP-1 and to explore the mechanism of HGF in preventing liver fibrosis in rats.

METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (Group A, 16 rats), liver fibrosis model group (Group B, 54 rats) and HGF therapy group (Group C, 10 rats). The liver fibrosis model was induced by administration CCl₄ intraperitoneally. Rats in Group C had been administered HGF for six weeks and were sacrificed afterwards. Eight rats from each of group A and B were randomly sacrificed on week 6 simultaneously as that in group C. The remaining rats in-group B were randomly further subdivided into liver fibrosis model group (Group D, 12 rats) and HGF therapy group (Group E, 10 rats), HGF was administered to rats in group E on week. 7.All rats in group D and E were sacrificed on week 10.Liver function and levels of serum hyaluronic acid (HA), mucin (LN), collegen type IV (CIV), procollagen III (PCIII) were tested; the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were determined by immunohistochemical staining and analyzed by computer.

RESULTS: Compared with Group B, the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN, CIV, PCIII in Group C were significantly reduced (P < 0.01), MMP-1 activity was slightly increased (0.25 ± 0.02, vs 0.22 ± 0.05, P < 0.05), TIMP-1 activity was markedly reduced (0.34 ± 0.05, vs 0.45 ± 005, P < 0.01). TIMP-1 activity in Group E (0.31 ± 0.07) was also markedly reduced in comparison with Group D (0.42 ± 0.06) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: HGF has obvious effect in preventing development of liver fibrosis; it might facilitate degradation of hepatic fibrosic tissue via increasing the MMP-1 activity and or inhibiting TIMP-1 activity.