Distinct effects of different doses of kaempferol on D‑GalN/LPS‑induced ALF depend on the autophagy pathway

Taraxasterol extracted from Ixeridium gramineum (Fisch.) Tzvel. Attenuated D-GalN/LPS-induced fulminant hepatitis by modulating the JAK/STAT and TNF signalling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taraxasterol (TAR), a compound highly abundant and easily obtainable from Tibetan medicine Ixeridium gramineum (Fisch.) Tzvel., exhibits a variety of biological effects, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigated the protective role and underlying mechanisms of TAR in fulminant hepatitis (FH) through the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis by modulating the JAK/STAT and TNF signalling pathways.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study used Kunming mice to establish a D-GalN/LPS-induced FH model, which was divided into the following groups: Control group, D-GalN/LPS group, D-GalN/LPS + Silymarin group, D-GalN/LPS + TAR 2.5 group, D-GalN/LPS + TAR 5 group, D-GalN/LPS + TAR 10 group, and TAR 10 group. H&E staining and biochemical analyses were employed to evaluate liver pathological changes. Oxidative stress factors and inflammatory response were assessed via ELISA. RNA sequencing analysis was used to detect changes in inflammatory factor genes and apoptosis genes with TAR intervention in liver tissues. The distribution of the proteins p-STAT3 and p-JNK in liver tissues was ascertained using immunohistochemical staining. In vitro experiments were conducted on RAW264.7 cells exposed to LPS and TAR. Apoptosis was evaluated via flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to determine the protein expression levels of p-STAT3 and p-JNK in RAW264.7 cells. Gene and protein expression in the JAK/STAT and TNF signalling pathways, as well as apoptosis, were analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

TAR effectively reduced hepatocyte necrosis, diminished inflammatory factor release, inhibited oxidative stress, significantly decreased the apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells, inhibited the protein expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, p-MEK4, p-JNK, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Bax, and increased the protein expressions of SOCS3 and Bcl-2.

CONCLUSION

TAR prevents D-GalN/LPS-induced FH by regulating the JAK/STAT and TNF signalling pathways and apoptosis, demonstrating its therapeutic potential in treating liver diseases.

Kaempferol sophoroside glucoside mitigates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: Role of Nrf2/NF-κB and JNK/ASK-1 signaling pathways

APAP (Acetaminophen)-induced hepatic injury is a major public health threat that requires continuous searching for new effective therapeutics. KSG (Kaempferol-3-sophoroside-7-glucoside) is a kaempferol derivative that was separated from plant species belonging to different genera. This study explored the protective effects of KSG on ALI (acute liver injury) caused by APAP overdose in mice and elucidated its possible mechanisms. The results showed that KSG pretreatment alleviated APAP-induced hepatic damage as it reduced hepatic pathological lesions as well as the serum parameters of liver injury. Moreover, KSG opposed APAP-associated oxidative stress and augmented hepatic antioxidants. KSG suppressed the inflammatory response as it decreased the genetic and protein expression as well as the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, KSG enhanced the mRNA expression and level of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 (interleukin-10). KSG repressed the activation of NF-κB (nuclear-factor kappa-B), besides it promoted the activation of Nrf2 signaling. Additionally, KSG markedly hindered the elevation of ASK-1 (apoptosis-signal regulating-kinase-1) and JNK (c-Jun-N-terminal kinase). Furthermore, KSG suppressed APAP-induced apoptosis as it decreased the level and expression of Bax (BCL2-associated X-protein), and caspase-3 concurrent with an enhancement of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl2 in the liver. More thoroughly, Computational studies reveal indispensable binding affinities between KSG and Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1), ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1), and JNK1 (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase-1) with distinctive tendencies for selective inhibition. Taken together, our data showed the hepatoprotective capacity of KSG against APAP-produced ALI via modulation of Nrf2/NF-κB and JNK/ASK-1/caspase-3 signaling. Henceforth, KSG could be a promising hepatoprotective candidate for ALI.

Lipidomic signatures discriminate subtle hepatic changes in the progression of porcine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Recently, the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in common strains of pigs has been achieved using a diet high in saturated fat, fructose, cholesterol, and cholate and deficient in choline and methionine. The aim of the present work was to characterize the hepatic and plasma lipidomic changes that accompany the progression of NASH and its reversal by switching pigs back to a chow diet. One month of this extreme steatotic diet was sufficient to induce porcine NASH. The lipidomic platform using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyzed 467 lipid species. Seven hepatic phospholipids [PC(30:0), PC(32:0), PC(33:0), PC(33:1), PC(34:0), PC(34:3) and PC(36:2)] significantly discriminated the time of dietary exposure, and PC(30:0), PC(33:0), PC(33:1) and PC(34:0) showed rapid adaptation in the reversion period. Three transcripts (CS, MAT1A, and SPP1) showed significant changes associated with hepatic triglycerides and PC(33:0). Plasma lipidomics revealed that these species [FA 16:0, FA 18:0, LPC(17:1), PA(40:5), PC(37:1), TG(45:0), TG(47:2) and TG(51:0)] were able to discriminate the time of dietary exposure. Among them, FA 16:0, FA 18:0, LPC(17:1) and PA(40:5) changed the trend in the reversion phase. Plasma LDL-cholesterol and IL12P40 were good parameters to study the progression of NASH, but their capacity was surpassed by hepatic [PC(33:0), PC(33:1), and PC(34:0)] or plasma lipid [FA 16:0, FA 18:0, and LPC(17:1)] species. Taken together, these lipid species can be used as biomarkers of metabolic changes in the progression and regression of NASH in this model. The lipid changes suggest that the development of NASH also affects peripheral lipid metabolism.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A NASH stage was obtained in crossbred pigs. Hepatic [PC(33:0), PC(33:1) and PC(34:0)] or plasma [FA 16:0, FA 18:0 and LPC(17:1)] species were sensitive parameters to detect subtle changes in development and regression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). These findings may delineate the liquid biopsy to detect subtle changes in progression or in treatments. Furthermore, phospholipid changes according to the insult-inducing NASH may play an important role in accepting or rejecting fatty livers in transplantation.

Kaempferol improves Pb-induced cognitive impairments via inhibiting autophagy

Kaempferol (Kam) is a flavonoid antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables, which was discovered as neuroprotective antioxidants. Lead (Pb), an environmental pollution, could induce learning and memory deficits. Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanisms underlying Kam actions in Pb-induced learning and memory deficits. In this study, we investigated the effects of Kam on Pb-induced cognitive deficits. Pb-exposed rats were treated with 50 mg/kg Kam from postnatal day (PND) 30 to PND 60. Then, Y-maze and Morris water maze have been used to detect the spatial memory in all groups of rats. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to analyze the neuronal structure damages. The results found Kam treatment improved the learning and memory ability and alleviated hippocampal neuronal pathological damages. Besides, Kam could significantly reverse the synaptic transmission related protein expression including PSD95 and NMDAR2B. Further research found that Kam downregulated autophagy markers, P62, ATG5, Beclin1, and LC3-II. Furthermore, 3-MA, autophagy inhibitor, increased the levels of NMDAR2B and PSD95 in Pb-induced PC12 cells, indicating Kam alleviated Pb-induced neurotoxicity through inhibiting autophagy activation. Our results showed that Kam could ameliorate Pb-induced cognitive impairments and neuronal damages by decreasing Pb-induced excess autophagy accumulation.

Exploration of the Immuno-Inflammatory Potential Targets of Xinfeng Capsule in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis Based on Data Mining, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking

Objective

This study aimed to ascertain the immuno-inflammatory molecular targets of Xinfeng capsules (XFC) in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on data mining, network pharmacology, and molecular docking.

Methods

The efficacy of XFC in the treatment of AS was assessed by clinical data mining. Network pharmacology was utilized to establish a network of the targets for XFC active ingredients in the treatment of AS. The binding mode and affinity of XFC active ingredients to the key targets for AS were predicted using molecular docking.

Results

XFC significantly diminished immuno-inflammatory indicators of AS. In total, 208 targets of XFC were obtained from the TCMSP database and 629 disease targets of AS were screened from the GeneCards database, which were intersected to yield 57 targets of XFC in the treatment of AS. Protein-protein interaction, gene ontology, and Kyoto genome encyclopedia analyses showed that XFC might activate TNF and NF-κB signaling pathways. Quercetin, kaempferol, triptolide, and formononetin had free binding energies < -9 kcal/mol to inflammatory targets (TNF and PTGS2) in the molecular docking analysis of XFC-active ingredients, indicating that TNF and PTGS2 might be the targets of the action of XFC.

Conclusions

Collectively, XFC had a significant therapeutic effect on AS. Specifically, the active ingredients of XFC, including quercetin, kaempferol, triptolide, and formononetin, inhibited the inflammatory response in AS by downregulating TNF and PTGS2 in the TNF and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Magnesium Isoglycyrrhizinate Ameliorates Concanavalin A-Induced Liver Injury by Inhibiting Autophagy

Background and Aims: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a type of liver injury that is caused by multiple factors and leads to severe liver dysfunction; however, current treatments for ALF are insufficient. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), a novel glycyrrhizin extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine licorice, has a significant protective effect against concanavalin A (ConA)-induced liver injury, but its underlying therapeutic mechanism is unclear. Hence, this study aims to explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of MgIG against ConA-induced immune liver injury. Methods: ConA (20 mg/kg, i. v.) was administered for 12 h to construct an immune liver injury model, and the treatment group was given MgIG (30 mg/kg, i. p.) injection 1 h in advance. Lethality, liver injury, cytokine levels, and hepatocyte death were evaluated. The level of autophagy was evaluated by electron microscopy, RT-PCR and western blotting, and hepatocyte death was assessed in vitro by flow cytometry. Results: MgIG significantly increased the survival rate of mice and ameliorated severe liver injury mediated by ConA. The decrease in the number of autophagosomes, downregulation of LC3b expression and upregulation of p62 expression indicated that MgIG significantly inhibited ConA-induced autophagy in the liver. Reactivation of autophagy by rapamycin (RAPA) reversed the protective effect of MgIG against ConA-induced liver injury. Compared with MgIG treatment, activation of autophagy by RAPA also promoted the expression of liver inflammation markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL-1, CXCL-2, CXCL-10, etc.) and hepatocyte death. In vitro experiments also showed that MgIG reduced ConA-induced hepatocyte death but did not decrease hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting autophagy. Conclusion: MgIG significantly ameliorated ConA-induced immune liver injury in mice by inhibiting autophagy. This study provides theoretical support for the ability of MgIG to protect against liver injury in clinical practice.

Hepatic galectin-3 is associated with lipid droplet area in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a new swine model

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently a growing epidemic disease that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatic cancer when it evolves into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a gap not well understood. To characterize this disease, pigs, considered to be one of the most similar to human experimental animal models, were used. To date, all swine-based settings have been carried out using rare predisposed breeds or long-term experiments. Herein, we fully describe a new experimental swine model for initial and reversible NASH using cross-bred animals fed on a high saturated fat, fructose, cholesterol, cholate, choline and methionine-deficient diet. To gain insight into the hepatic transcriptome that undergoes steatosis and steatohepatitis, we used RNA sequencing. This process significantly up-regulated 976 and down-regulated 209 genes mainly involved in cellular processes. Gene expression changes of 22 selected transcripts were verified by RT-qPCR. Lipid droplet area was positively associated with CD68, GPNMB, LGALS3, SLC51B and SPP1, and negatively with SQLE expressions. When these genes were tested in a second experiment of NASH reversion, LGALS3, SLC51B and SPP1 significantly decreased their expression. However, only LGALS3 was associated with lipid droplet areas. Our results suggest a role for LGALS3 in the transition of NAFLD to NASH.