Tetramethylpyrazine reduces inflammation in the livers of mice fed a high fat diet

Rosavin Ameliorates Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis in the NASH Rat Model via Targeting Hepatic Cell Death

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common form of chronic liver disease that urgently needs effective therapy. Rosavin, a major constituent of the Rhodiola Rosea plant of the family Crassulaceae, is believed to exhibit multiple pharmacological effects on diverse diseases. However, its effect on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of NAFLD, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully illustrated. Aim: Investigate the pharmacological activity and potential mechanism of rosavin treatment on NASH management via targeting hepatic cell death-related (HSPD1/TNF/MMP14/ITGB1) mRNAs and their upstream noncoding RNA regulators (miRNA-6881-5P and lnc-SPARCL1-1:2) in NASH rats. Results: High sucrose high fat (HSHF) diet-induced NASH rats were treated with different concentrations of rosavin (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day) for the last four weeks of dietary manipulation. The data revealed that rosavin had the ability to modulate the expression of the hepatic cell death-related RNA panel through the upregulation of both (HSPD1/TNF/MMP14/ITGB1) mRNAs and their epigenetic regulators (miRNA-6881-5P and lnc-SPARCL1-1:2). Moreover, rosavin ameliorated the deterioration in both liver functions and lipid profile, and thereby improved the hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis, as evidenced by the decreased protein levels of IL6, TNF-α, and caspase-3 in liver sections of treated animals compared to the untreated NASH rats. Conclusion: Rosavin has demonstrated a potential ability to attenuate disease progression and inhibit hepatic cell death in the NASH animal model. The produced effect was correlated with upregulation of the hepatic cell death-related (HSPD1, TNF, MMP14, and ITGB1) mRNAs—(miRNA-6881-5P—(lnc-SPARCL1-1:2) RNA panel.

Antiplatelet Activity of Tetramethylpyrazine via Regulation of the P2Y12 Receptor Downstream Signaling Pathway

Background

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is an alkaloid in Chinese herbal medicine, which possesses antiplatelet activity. TMP inhibits platelet activation in many ways. The platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor for adenosine 5′ diphosphate (ADP) plays a central role in platelet function, hemostasis, and thrombosis. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect of TMP on P2Y₁₂ receptor-related platelet function.

Methods

The inhibitory potential of TMP was assessed using agonist-induced platelet aggregation, flow cytometric analysis of CD62p expression, PAC-1 activation, and fibrin clot retraction. After the P2Y12 receptor-related signaling pathway was inhibited using the blocker, platelet activation was studied by platelet aggregation, CD62p expression, and PAC-1 activation. The secretion of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of signaling pathway protein, phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, and phosphorylation of Akt were investigated using western blotting. The release of platelet inflammatory mediators was measured using ELISA.

Results

TMP had an antiplatelet effect by inhibiting ADP-induced aggregation, P-selectin secretion, and glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa expression and reducing the release of atherosclerotic-related inflammatory mediators (sCD40L and IL-1β). TMP decreased the area of clot retraction, reflecting inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa activation. TMP inhibited adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation via increased cAMP production, VASP^ser157 phosphorylation, and Akt dephosphorylation.

Conclusion

TMP selectively inhibits ADP-induced platelet activation via P2Y₁₂ receptor-related signaling pathways.

Hepatoprotective Effect and Molecular Mechanisms of Hengshun Aromatic Vinegar on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Aromatic vinegar with abundant bioactive components can be used as a food additive to assist the treatment of various diseases. However, its effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Hengshun aromatic vinegar in preventing NAFLD in vivo and in vitro. Aromatic vinegar treatment was applied to rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and HepG2 cells challenged with palmitic acid (PA). Our results showed that aromatic vinegar markedly improved cell viabilities and attenuated cell damage in vitro. The levels of TC, TG, FFA, AST, ALT, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in HFD-induced rats were significantly decreased by aromatic vinegar. Mechanism investigation revealed that aromatic vinegar markedly up-regulated the level of silent information regulator of transcription 1 (Sirt1), and thereby inhibited inflammation of the pathway through down-regulating the expressions of high mobility group box 1, toll-likereceptor-4, nuclear transcription factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-6, and inflammatory factors. Aromatic vinegar simultaneously increased the expression of farnesoid X receptor and suppressed expressions of lipogenesis related proteins, including fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1, sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1. These results were further validated by knockdown of Sirt1 using siRNAs silencing in vitro. In conclusion, Hengshun aromatic vinegar showed protective effects against NAFLD by enhancing the activity of SIRT1 and thereby inhibiting lipogenesis and inflammation pathways, which is expected to become a new assistant strategy for NAFLD therapy in the future.

Increased expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in lipopolysaccharide‑induced acute inflammatory apoM‑/‑ mice

Apolipoprotein M (apoM) may serve a protective role in the development of inflammation. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and its downstream factors (including a number of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules) are essential for the regulation of inflammatory processes. In the present study, the importance of apoM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute inflammation and its potential underlying mechanisms, were investigated using an apoM-knockout mouse model. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NF-κB, interleukin (IL)-1β, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were detected using Luminex technology. The results demonstrated that the protein levels of iNOS, NF-κB, IL-1β, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly increased in apoM^−/− mice compared with those in apoM^+/+ mice. In addition, two-way ANOVA revealed that the interaction between apoM and LPS had a statistically significant effect on a number of factors, including the mRNA expression levels of hepatic iNOS, NF-κB, IL-1β, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Notably, the effects of apoM and 10 mg/kg LPS on the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were the opposite of those induced by 5 mg/kg LPS, which could be associated with the dual anti- and pro-inflammatory effects of IL-6 and IL-10. Collectively, the results of the present study revealed that apoM is an important regulator of inflammatory cytokine and adhesion molecule production in LPS-induced inflammation, which may consequently be associated with the severity of inflammation. These findings indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of apoM may partly result from the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

Tetramethylpyrazine alleviates acute kidney injury by inhibiting NLRP3/HIF‑1α and apoptosis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI) in rats, which refers to the injury caused by the restoration of blood supply and reperfusion of the kidney after a period of ischemia. Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into a Sham group, renal ischemia‑reperfusion (I/R) group and TMP group. TMP hydrochloride (40 mg/kg, 6 h intervals) was given via intraperitoneal injection immediately after reperfusion in the TMP group, after 24 h the kidney tissues were taken for follow‑up experiments. Pathological changes in the kidney tissues were observed by periodic acid‑Schiff staining. Renal function was assessed by measuring levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α and interleukin (IL)‑6. Renal cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL‑DAPI double staining, mRNA and protein changes were analyzed by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting. Cell viability was measured using a CCK‑8 assay. It was found that the renal tissues of the sham operation group were notably abnormal, and the renal tissues of the I/R group were damaged, while the renal tissues of the TMP group were less damaged compared with those of the I/R group. Compared with the I/R group, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in the TMP group were low (all P<0.05), levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF‑α and IL‑6 decreased, the apoptotic rate was low (all P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of nucleotide‑oligomerization domain‑like receptor 3 (NLRP3) protein and mRNA in renal tissues were low (all P<0.05). The expression levels of hypoxia‑inducible factor 1‑α and NLRP3 increased after oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), and reduced after treatment with OGD and TMP (all P<0.05). It was concluded that TMP can reduce renal injury and improve renal function in RIRI rats, and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of NLRP3 expression in renal tissues.

Inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by PP-7a exerts beneficial effects on metabolic dysregulation in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity

Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) is a critical regulator of fatty acid metabolism and represents a promising therapeutic target for metabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Recently, a novel ACC inhibitor, PP-7a, was developed by our group by utilizing a structure-based drug design. In the present study, the pharmacological effects of PP-7a on the metabolic dysregulation in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The inhibitory effect on ACC activities was confirmed by assessing the level of malonyl-CoA, a product synthesized by the catalyzation of ACC. Following 16 weeks of being fed an HFD, the mice were administered PP-7a (15, 45 or 75 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The effects of PP-7a on weight gain, glucose intolerance, hepatic lipid accumulation and the increase of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and free fatty acids (FFA) in mice were assessed. CP-640186 was used as a positive control drug and administered in the same manner as PP-7a. Chronic administration of PP-7a lowered the malonyl-CoA levels in liver and heart tissues of mice in the HFD group. In addition, HFD-induced weight gain and glucose intolerance were improved by PP-7a treatment in the mice fed the HFD. Furthermore, PP-7a suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation and the increase in TG, TC and FFA levels. Taken together, these results suggest that ACC inhibition by PP-7a may have a beneficial effect on metabolic dysregulation in obese mice.

Chronic aerobic exercise improves insulin sensitivity and modulates Nrf2 and NF‑κB/IκBα pathways in the skeletal muscle of rats fed with a high fat diet

The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the ameliorative effects of chronic aerobic exercise on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rat skeletal muscle. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6–9 per group) were divided into four groups: i) Rats fed with normal chow; ii) exercise rats fed with normal chow + exercise (run on a rotarod for 30 min per day from 9–12 weeks); iii) rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD); iv) rats fed with an HFD + exercise. All HFD rats were fed with an HFD consisting of 30% fat from fish oil throughout the study for 12 weeks. Exercise decreased the levels of hepatic lipogenic markers carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein, fat-specific protein 27 and liver X receptor and improved systemic glucose and insulin intolerance in the NASH animal model. The beneficial effects may have been mediated partly via the tripartite motif-containing family protein 72 (TRIM72)/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, accompanied with an upregulation of glucose transporter 4 in the skeletal muscle. The exercise regimen activated the master regulator of antioxidant enzymes, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, with upregulation of superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] expression and a corresponding decrease in kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 expression, but failed to decrease the levels of the oxidative marker malondialdehyde in the HFD rat skeletal muscle. Chronic exercise decreased the expression of the inflammation marker NF-κB, followed by a decrease in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, as verified by a corresponding increase in the level of NF-κB inhibitor α expression. Exercise may exert its beneficial effects by improving muscle insulin sensitivity via the TRIM72/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, contributing to the improvement of systemic insulin intolerance, and finally leading to decreased hepatic lipogenesis during NASH. The attenuation of insulin resistance by exercise may be partly achieved through a decrease in the level of inflammation and an increased antioxidant response.