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Martinez-Lopez S, Angel-Gomis E, Sanchez-Ardid E, Pastor-Campos A, Picó J, Gomez-Hurtado I. The 3Rs in Experimental Liver Disease. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2357. [PMID: 37508134 PMCID: PMC10376896 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142357] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis present multiple physiological and immunological alterations that play a very important role in the development of clinically relevant secondary complications to the disease. Experimentation in animal models is essential to understand the pathogenesis of human diseases and, considering the high prevalence of liver disease worldwide, to understand the pathophysiology of disease progression and the molecular pathways involved, due to the complexity of the liver as an organ and its relationship with the rest of the organism. However, today there is a growing awareness about the sensitivity and suffering of animals, causing opposition to animal research among a minority in society and some scientists, but also about the attention to the welfare of laboratory animals since this has been built into regulations in most nations that conduct animal research. In 1959, Russell and Burch published the book "The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique", proposing that in those experiments where animals were necessary, everything possible should be done to try to replace them with non-sentient alternatives, to reduce to a minimum their number, and to refine experiments that are essential so that they caused the least amount of pain and distress. In this review, a comprehensive summary of the most widely used techniques to replace, reduce, and refine in experimental liver research is offered, to assess the advantages and weaknesses of available experimental liver disease models for researchers who are planning to perform animal studies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Martinez-Lopez
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 Sant Joan, Spain
| | - Enrique Angel-Gomis
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 Sant Joan, Spain
| | - Elisabet Sanchez-Ardid
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Patología Digestiva, Institut de Recerca IIB-Sant Pau, Hospital de Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Pastor-Campos
- Oficina de Investigación Responsable, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Joanna Picó
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Gomez-Hurtado
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 Sant Joan, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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2
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Wu S, Wang X, Xing W, Li F, Liang M, Li K, He Y, Wang J. An update on animal models of liver fibrosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1160053. [PMID: 37035335 PMCID: PMC10076546 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1160053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of liver fibrosis primarily determines quality of life as well as prognosis. Animal models are often used to model and understand the underlying mechanisms of human disease. Although organoids can be used to simulate organ development and disease, the technology still faces significant challenges. Therefore animal models are still irreplaceable at this stage. Currently, in vivo models of liver fibrosis can be classified into five categories based on etiology: chemical, dietary, surgical, transgenic, and immune. There is a wide variety of animal models of liver fibrosis with varying efficacy, which have different implications for proper understanding of the disease and effective screening of therapeutic agents. There is no high-quality literature recommending the most appropriate animal models. In this paper, we will describe the progress of commonly used animal models of liver fibrosis in terms of their development mechanisms, applications, advantages and disadvantages, and recommend appropriate animal models for different research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- ShuTing Wu
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - XinXin Wang
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - WenBo Xing
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - FenYao Li
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Liang
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - KeShen Li
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan He
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yan He,
| | - JianMing Wang
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- JianMing Wang,
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3
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Chen T, Zhou ZY, Liu JY, Zheng LY, Wang ZW, Zhang XJ, Zeng S. Impact of partial bile duct ligation with or without repeated magnetic resonance imaging examinations in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21014. [PMID: 36470922 PMCID: PMC9722823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25318-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Partial bile duct ligation (pBDL) is considered a well-tolerated cholestatic model. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most widely used tools in noninvasive imaging. However, no systematic studies have reported the possible effects of repeated MRI assessments in the pBDL model. Sixty BALB/C mice were investigated. MRI images of each mouse were recorded once every 2 weeks for 6 weeks after pBDL or sham surgery. The reproducibility of the pBDL model and the reliability of MRI were examined by behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and pathological parameters. The mice showed no alterations on behavioral and physiological tests (P > 0.05) at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after pBDL. Repeated general anesthesia did not result in any impairment after pBDL (P > 0.05). The behavioral and biochemical parameters were not affected by repeated MRIs or repeated contrast-enhanced MRIs (P > 0.05). Pathological staining showed the homogeneous formation of collagenous fiber in the pBDL mice and did not indicate any influence of repeated contrast-enhanced MRI on the number of inflammatory cells or fibrotic formation (P > 0.05). Thus, pBDL is a reproducible model with many advantages for animal welfare and scientific research. Additionally, MRI, as a safe tool for longitudinal evaluation and is well tolerated in mice with cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taili Chen
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Province China
| | - Zi-Yi Zhou
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Province China
| | - Jia-Yi Liu
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Province China
| | - Li-Yun Zheng
- grid.497849.fMR Collaboration, Central Research Institute, United Imaging Healthcare, Shanghai, 201800 China
| | - Zi-Wei Wang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Province China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Province China
| | - Shan Zeng
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Province China
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4
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Enhanced anxiolytic and analgesic effectiveness or a better safety profile of morphine and tramadol combination in cholestatic and addicted mice. Neuroreport 2022; 33:681-689. [DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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5
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Wang M, Qin T, Zhang Y, Zhang T, Zhuang Z, Wang Y, Ding Y, Peng Y. Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway mediates both liver and kidney injuries in mice with hepatorenal syndrome. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 323:G461-G476. [PMID: 36165507 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00048.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a complication of cirrhosis with high morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism involving how kidney injury aggravates the progression of cirrhosis remains unclear. This study aims to explore the role of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in mediating liver and kidney injuries in HRS mice induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and/or bile duct ligation (BDL). Two weeks after UUO, there were no obvious pathological changes in mouse liver and the unligated side of kidney. Nevertheless, impaired liver and kidney functions, inflammatory response, and fibrosis were examined in mice after 2 wk of BDL. Compared with those of other groups, mice in the BDL + UUO group presented severer liver and kidney injuries, higher levels of inflammatory factors, and faster deposition of collagens, suggesting that kidney injuries accelerated the aggravation of HRS. Correlation analysis identified a positive correlation between expression levels of inflammatory factors and fibrotic levels. Meanwhile, TLR4 and its ligand MyD88 were upregulated during the process of liver and kidney injuries in HRS mice. Further animal experiments in transgenic TLR4-/- mice or in those treated with TAK242, a small molecule inhibitor of TLR4, showed that blocking the TLR4 signaling pathway significantly improved survival quality and survival rate in HRS mice by alleviating liver fibrosis and kidney injury. It is concluded that kidney dysfunction plays an important role in the aggravation of cirrhosis, which may be attributed to the TLR4 signaling pathway. Targeting TLR4 could be a promising therapeutic strategy for protecting both liver and kidneys in patients with HRS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study established BDL, UUO, and BDL + UUO models, providing a novel idea for analyzing liver and kidney diseases. It is highlighted that the kidney injury accelerated the aggravation of HRS via inflammatory response, which could be protected by inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway. We believed that targeting TLR4 was a promising therapeutic strategy for protecting both liver and kidney functions in patients with HRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Wang
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Qin
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Zhang
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zirui Zhuang
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingyu Wang
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongfang Ding
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunru Peng
- Affliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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6
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Niu WX, Bao YY, Zhang N, Lu ZN, Ge MX, Li YM, Li Y, Chen MH, He HW. Dehydromevalonolactone ameliorates liver fibrosis and inflammation by repressing activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Bioorg Chem 2022; 127:105971. [PMID: 35749855 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an important process in chronic liver disease and is strongly related to poor prognosis. Dehydromevalonolactone (C8) is a natural product isolated from a fungus of Fusarium sp. CPCC 401218, and its pharmacological activity has never been reported before. In this study, the potential of C8 as an anti-hepatic fibrosis agent was investigated. In human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line LX-2, C8 suppressed the increased expression of COL1A1 and α-SMA induced by TGFβ1, which indicated that C8 could repress the activation of HSCs. In bile duct ligated rats, C8 administration (100 mg/kg, i.p.) markedly attenuated liver injury, fibrosis, and inflammation, and suppressed the expression of the macrophage surface marker F4/80. In terms of mechanism, C8 treatment blocked the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which was stimulated by LPS and nigericin in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and companied by the release of active IL-1β. In addition, the activation of LX-2 cells induced by IL-1β released from BMDMs was also inhibited after C8 administration, which indicated that C8 repressed HSCs activation by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. Furthermore, C8 exhibited the effects of anti-fibrosis and inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice. Finally, C8 can be commendably absorbed in vivo and was safe for mice at the concentration of 1000 mg/kg (p.o.). In summary, our study reveals that C8 ameliorates HSCs activation and liver fibrosis in cholestasis rats and NASH mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages, and C8 might be a safe and effective candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xiao Niu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yun-Yang Bao
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhen-Ning Lu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Mao-Xu Ge
- Department of Pharmacy, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ming-Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Hong-Wei He
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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7
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Qin T, Wang M, Zhang T, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Hasnat M, Zhuang Z, Ding Y, Peng Y. Total C-21 Steroidal Glycosides From Baishouwu Ameliorate Hepatic and Renal Fibrosis by Regulating IL-1β/MyD88 Inflammation Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:775730. [PMID: 34764877 PMCID: PMC8576092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a worldwide public health problem, which typically results from chronic diseases and often leads to organ malfunction. Chronic inflammation has been suggested to be the major trigger for fibrogenesis, yet mechanisms by which inflammatory signals drive fibrogenesis have not been fully elucidated. Total C-21 steroidal glycosides (TCSG) from Baishouwu are the main active components of the root of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight, which exert hepatoprotective and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, we established a mouse model with the coexistence of hepatic and renal fibrosis and aimed to investigate the effects of TCSG from Baishouwu on fibrosis and explored the potential mechanisms. The results of biochemical and pathological examinations showed that TCSG from Baishouwu improved liver and kidney function and alleviated hepatic and renal fibrosis by reducing collagen and extracellular matrix deposition in bile duct ligation and unilateral ureteral occlusion (BDL&UUO) mice. According to network pharmacology analysis, the mechanisms underlying the effects of TCSG from Baishouwu on hepatic and renal fibrosis were associated with inflammatory response pathways, including “Signaling by interleukins”, “MAP kinase activation”, “MyD88 cascade initiated on plasma membrane”, and “Interleukin-1 family signaling”. Regression analysis and western blot results revealed that IL-1β/MyD88 inflammation signaling played an essential role in the anti-fibrotic effects of TCSG from Baishouwu. Further data displayed that TCSG from Baishouwu affected inflammatory response and extracellular matrix deposition via suppressing the activation of p38 MAPK/JNK and NF-κB p65 signaling cascades both in the liver and kidney of BDL&UUO mice. Thus, our findings suggest TCSG from Baishouwu as a natural regimen against hepatic and renal fibrosis and provide direct evidence that IL-1β/MyD88 signaling crucially contributes to hepatic and renal fibrosis and modulates liver-kidney crosstalk by maintaining tight control over inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Qin
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingliang Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingyu Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Muhammad Hasnat
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zirui Zhuang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongfang Ding
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunru Peng
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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8
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Gijbels E, Pieters A, De Muynck K, Vinken M, Devisscher L. Rodent models of cholestatic liver disease: A practical guide for translational research. Liver Int 2021; 41:656-682. [PMID: 33486884 PMCID: PMC8048655 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver disease denotes any situation associated with impaired bile flow concomitant with a noxious bile acid accumulation in the liver and/or systemic circulation. Cholestatic liver disease can be subdivided into different types according to its clinical phenotype, such as biliary atresia, drug-induced cholestasis, gallstone liver disease, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Considerable effort has been devoted to elucidating underlying mechanisms of cholestatic liver injuries and explore novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies using animal models. Animal models employed according to their appropriate applicability domain herein play a crucial role. This review provides an overview of currently available in vivo animal models, fit-for-purpose in modelling different types of cholestatic liver diseases. Moreover, a practical guide and workflow is provided which can be used for translational research purposes, including all advantages and disadvantages of currently available in vivo animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Gijbels
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato‐CosmetologyVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium,Gut‐Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Basic and Applied Medical SciencesLiver Research Center GhentFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Alanah Pieters
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato‐CosmetologyVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Kevin De Muynck
- Gut‐Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Basic and Applied Medical SciencesLiver Research Center GhentFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium,Hepatology Research UnitInternal Medicine and PaediatricsLiver Research Center GhentFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato‐CosmetologyVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Gut‐Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Basic and Applied Medical SciencesLiver Research Center GhentFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
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9
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Du QH, Zhang CJ, Li WH, Mu Y, Xu Y, Lowe S, Han L, Yu X, Wang SY, Li Y, Li J. Gan Shen Fu Fang ameliorates liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the inflammatory response and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:2810-2820. [PMID: 32550756 PMCID: PMC7284177 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i21.2810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis is a common health problem worldwide and there is still a lack of effective medicines. The Chinese herbal medicine, Gan Shen Fu Fang (GSFF) is composed of salvianolic acid B and diammonium glycyrrhizinate. In this study, we observed the effects of GSFF on liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro in an attempt to provide some hope for the treatment.
AIM To observe the effects of GSFF on liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro and investigate the mechanism from the perspective of the inflammatory response and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.
METHODS Common bile duct-ligated rats were used for in vivo experiments. Hepatic stellate cells-T6 (HSC-T6) cells were used for in vitro experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining, biochemical assays, hydroxyproline (Hyp) assays, enzyme-linked immunoasorbent assay and western blotting were performed to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis, liver function, the inflammatory response and ERK phosphorylation. The CCK8 assay, immunofluorescence and western blotting were applied to test the effect of GSFF on HSC-T6 cell activation and determine whether GSFF had an effect on ERK phosphorylation in HSC-T6 cells.
RESULTS GSFF improved liver function and inhibited liver fibrosis in common bile duct-ligated rats after 3 wk of treatment, as demonstrated by histological changes, hydroxyproline assays and collagen I concentrations. GSFF alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interlukin-1β] and NF-κB. In addition, GSFF decreased ERK phosphorylation. In vitro, GSFF inhibited the viability of HSC-T6 cells with and without transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) stimulation and decreased the synthesis of collagen I. GSFF had the greatest effect at a concentration of 0.5 μmol/L. GSFF inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of HSC activation, in HSC-T6 cells. Consistent with the in vivo results, GSFF also inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and downregulated the expression of NF-κB.
CONCLUSION GSFF inhibited liver fibrosis progression in vivo and HSC-T6 cell activation in vitro. These effects may be related to an alleviated inflammatory response and downregulated ERK phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hong Du
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
- Institute of Tibetan Medicine, University of Tibetan Medicine, Lhasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Chu-Jun Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Wei-Hong Li
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Yan Mu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Ya Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Scott Lowe
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, United States
| | - Lin Han
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Xue Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Shu-Yan Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
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10
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Balasubramaniyan N, Devereaux MW, Orlicky DJ, Sokol RJ, Suchy FJ. Up-regulation of miR-let7a-5p Leads to Decreased Expression of ABCC2 in Obstructive Cholestasis. Hepatol Commun 2019; 3:1674-1686. [PMID: 31832574 PMCID: PMC6887930 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (ABCC2/Abcc2) is critically important to biliary excretion of many endobiotic and xenobiotic compounds, and is a major driving force for bile acid-independent bile flow. Abcc2 expression is reduced at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in various forms of experimental cholestasis. In a microRNA (miRNA) screen of mouse liver after biliary obstruction, we found that miRNA let7a-5p was significantly up-regulated approximately 4-fold. Similarly, ABCC2 mRNA was depleted and miRNA let7a-5p was elevated over 4-fold in livers of children with biliary atresia compared with normal livers. In silico analysis predicted that let7a-5p would target the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of ABCC2/Abcc2 RNA. The objective of this study was to determine whether let7a-5p contributes to the depletion of ABCC2/Abcc2 in cholestasis. To demonstrate the functional importance of miRNA let7a-5p in regulating the expression of ABCC2, co-transfection of a let7a-5p mimic and an ABCC2-3' UTR luciferase construct into Huh-7 cells led to a marked inhibition of luciferase activity by about 60%-70% compared with controls, which was reversed by a let7a-5p mimic inhibitor. Expression of this mimic led to a significant decrease in endogenous ABCC2 mRNA and protein levels in a Huh-7 liver cell line, which could be blocked by expression of a let7a-5p mimic inhibitor. Injection of a lentivirus let7a-5p inhibitor into normal mouse liver or into mouse liver after common bile duct ligation led to a significant increase in endogenous Abcc2 mRNA and protein levels and a depletion of let7a-5p mRNA levels compared with untreated, saline-injected livers or livers treated with an inactive lentivirus control. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate that miR-let7a-5p is involved in regulating ABCC2/Abcc2 expression, and is aberrantly up-regulated in obstructive cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael W Devereaux
- Department of Pediatrics Digestive Health Institute Children's Hospital Colorado Aurora CO
| | - David J Orlicky
- Department of Pathology University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora CO
| | - Ronald J Sokol
- Department of Pediatrics Digestive Health Institute Children's Hospital Colorado Aurora CO
| | - Frederick J Suchy
- Department of Pediatrics Digestive Health Institute Children's Hospital Colorado Aurora CO
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