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Martinez GJ, Kipp ZA, Lee WH, Bates EA, Morris AJ, Marino JS, Hinds TD. Glucocorticoid resistance remodels liver lipids and prompts lipogenesis, eicosanoid, and inflammatory pathways. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2024; 173:106840. [PMID: 38830399 PMCID: PMC11199073 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2024.106840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that the glucocorticoid receptor β (GRβ) isoform induces hepatic steatosis in mice fed a normal chow diet. The GRβ isoform inhibits the glucocorticoid-binding isoform GRα, reducing responsiveness and inducing glucocorticoid resistance. We hypothesized that GRβ regulates lipids that cause metabolic dysfunction. To determine the effect of GRβ on hepatic lipid classes and molecular species, we overexpressed GRβ (GRβ-Ad) and vector (Vec-Ad) using adenovirus delivery, as we previously described. We fed the mice a normal chow diet for 5 days and harvested the livers. We utilized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses of the livers to determine the lipid species driven by GRβ. The most significant changes in the lipidome were monoacylglycerides and cholesterol esters. There was also increased gene expression in the GRβ-Ad mice for lipogenesis, eicosanoid synthesis, and inflammatory pathways. These indicate that GRβ-induced glucocorticoid resistance may drive hepatic fat accumulation, providing new therapeutic advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genesee J Martinez
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA; Drug & Disease Discovery D3 Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Zachary A Kipp
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA; Drug & Disease Discovery D3 Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Wang-Hsin Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA; Drug & Disease Discovery D3 Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Evelyn A Bates
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA; Drug & Disease Discovery D3 Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Andrew J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Joseph S Marino
- Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Terry D Hinds
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA; Drug & Disease Discovery D3 Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA; Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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2
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Ohene-Marfo P, Nguyen HVM, Mohammed S, Thadathil N, Tran A, Nicklas EH, Wang D, Selvarani R, Farriester JW, Varshney R, Kinter M, Richardson A, Rudolph MC, Deepa SS. Non-Necroptotic Roles of MLKL in Diet-Induced Obesity, Liver Pathology, and Insulin Sensitivity: Insights from a High-Fat, High-Fructose, High-Cholesterol Diet Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2813. [PMID: 38474061 PMCID: PMC10931720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a key player in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) progression. Necroptosis, an inflammatory cell death pathway, is elevated in MAFLD patients and mouse models, yet its role is unclear due to the diverse mouse models and inhibition strategies. In our study, we inhibited necroptosis by targeting mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL), the terminal effector of necroptosis, in a high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol (HFHFrHC) mouse model of diet-induced MAFLD. Despite the HFHFrHC diet upregulating MLKL (2.5-fold), WT mice livers showed no increase in necroptosis markers or associated proinflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, Mlkl-/- mice experienced exacerbated liver inflammation without protection from diet-induced liver damage, steatosis, or fibrosis. In contrast, Mlkl+/- mice showed a significant reduction in these parameters that was associated with elevated Pparα and Pparγ levels. Both Mlkl-/- and Mlkl+/- mice on the HFHFrHC diet resisted diet-induced obesity, attributed to the increased beiging, enhanced oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure due to adipose tissue, and exhibited improved insulin sensitivity. These findings highlight the tissue-specific effects of MLKL on the liver and adipose tissue, and they suggest a dose-dependent effect of MLKL on liver pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Ohene-Marfo
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Hoang Van M. Nguyen
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Sabira Mohammed
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Nidheesh Thadathil
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Albert Tran
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Evan H. Nicklas
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Dawei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Ramasamy Selvarani
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Jacob W. Farriester
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Rohan Varshney
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Michael Kinter
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Arlan Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience & Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Michael C. Rudolph
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Sathyaseelan S. Deepa
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.O.-M.); (N.T.); (A.T.); (E.H.N.); (D.W.); (R.S.); (J.W.F.); (R.V.); (A.R.); (M.C.R.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
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3
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Salama YA, Hassan HM, El-Gayar AM, Abdel-Rahman N. Combined quercetin and simvastatin attenuate hepatic fibrosis in rats by modulating SphK1/NLRP3 pathways. Life Sci 2024; 337:122349. [PMID: 38128755 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis involves several signalling pathways working in concert regulating the deposition of extracellular matrix. In this study, we evaluated the effect of quercetin and simvastatin alone and their combination on the treatment of experimentally induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. To decipher the potential mechanisms involved, liver fibrosis was induced in rats by administration of 40 % carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (1 μl/g rat, i.p., twice weekly) for 6 weeks. Quercetin (50 mg/kg, orally), simvastatin (40 mg/kg, orally) either individually or combined were administered for another 4 weeks. The three treatment groups ameliorated hepatic dysfunction and altered parameters of sphingolipid and pyroptosis pathways. Yet, the combined group showed a more pronounced effect. Treatments lowered serum levels of GOT, GPT, ALP and elevated albumin and total protein levels. Histopathological and electron microscope examination of liver tissue revealed diminished fibrosis and inflammation. Protein expression levels of α-SMA, IL-1β, PPAR-γ, TGF-β1, caspase-1 and caspase-3 expression in liver tissues were reduced. Additionally, hepatic mRNA levels of SphK1 and NLRP3 decreased after treatment. Furthermore, the three groups lowered MDA levels and elevated total antioxidant capacity, GSH and Nrf2 expression levels. Treatments downregulated sphingolipid pathway and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and stimulated an anti-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and antioxidant activity. This suggests that targeting the SphK1/NLRP3 pathway could be a prospective therapeutic strategy against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin A Salama
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt
| | - Hanan M Hassan
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt
| | - Amal M El-Gayar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt
| | - Noha Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt.
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4
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Ohene-Marfo P, Nguyen HVM, Mohammed S, Thadathil N, Tran A, Nicklas EH, Wang D, Selvarani R, Farriester J, Varshney R, Kinter M, Richardson A, Rudolph M, Deepa SS. Non-Necroptotic Roles of MLKL in Diet-Induced Obesity, Liver Pathology, and Insulin Sensitivity: Insights from a High Fat, High Fructose, High Cholesterol Diet Mouse Model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.10.575102. [PMID: 38260537 PMCID: PMC10802562 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.10.575102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a key player in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) progression. Necroptosis, an inflammatory cell death pathway, is elevated in MAFLD patients and mouse models, yet its role is unclear due to diverse mouse models and inhibition strategies. In our study, we inhibited necroptosis by targeting mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase (MLKL), the terminal effector of necroptosis, in a high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol (HFHFrHC) mouse model of diet-induced MAFLD mouse model. Despite HFHFrHC diet upregulating MLKL (2.5-fold), WT mice livers showed no increase in necroptosis markers or associated proinflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, Mlkl -/- mice experienced exacerbated liver inflammation without protection from diet-induced liver damage, steatosis, or fibrosis. In contrast, Mlkl +/- mice showed significant reduction in these parameters that was associated with elevated Pparα and Pparγ levels. Both Mlkl -/- and Mlkl +/- mice on HFHFrHC diet resisted diet-induced obesity, attributed to increased beiging, enhanced oxygen consumption and energy expenditure due to adipose tissue, and exhibited improved insulin sensitivity. These findings highlight the tissue specific effects of MLKL on the liver and adipose tissue, and suggest a dose-dependent effect of MLKL on liver pathology.
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5
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Medina Pizaño MY, Loera Arias MDJ, Montes de Oca Luna R, Saucedo Cárdenas O, Ventura Juárez J, Muñoz Ortega MH. Neuroimmunomodulation of adrenoblockers during liver cirrhosis: modulation of hepatic stellate cell activity. Ann Med 2023; 55:543-557. [PMID: 36826975 PMCID: PMC9970206 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2164047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sympathetic nervous system and the immune system are responsible for producing neurotransmitters and cytokines that interact by binding to receptors; due to this, there is communication between these systems. Liver immune cells and nerve fibres are systematically distributed in the liver, and the partial overlap of both patterns may favour interactions between certain elements. Dendritic cells are attached to fibroblasts, and nerve fibres are connected via the dendritic cell-fibroblast complex. Receptors for most neuroactive substances, such as catecholamines, have been discovered on dendritic cells. The sympathetic nervous system regulates hepatic fibrosis through sympathetic fibres and adrenaline from the adrenal glands through the blood. When there is liver damage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated locally and systemically through proinflammatory cytokines that induce the production of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters bind to cells through α-adrenergic receptors, triggering a cellular response that secretes inflammatory factors that stimulate and activate hepatic stellate cells. Hepatic stellate cells are key in the fibrotic process. They initiate the overproduction of extracellular matrix components in an active state that progresses from fibrosis to liver cirrhosis. It has also been shown that they can be directly activated by norepinephrine. Alpha and beta adrenoblockers, such as carvedilol, prazosin, and doxazosin, have recently been used to reverse CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rodent and murine models.KEY MESSAGESNeurotransmitters from the sympathetic nervous system activate and increase the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis treatment might depend on neurotransmitter and hepatic nervous system regulation.Strategies to reduce hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis are based on experimentation with α-adrenoblockers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Odila Saucedo Cárdenas
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Javier Ventura Juárez
- Department of Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México
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Zhang CY, Liu S, Yang M. Treatment of liver fibrosis: Past, current, and future. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:755-774. [PMID: 37397931 PMCID: PMC10308286 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i6.755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis accompanies the progression of chronic liver diseases independent of etiologies, such as hepatitis viral infection, alcohol consumption, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. It is commonly associated with liver injury, inflammation, and cell death. Liver fibrosis is characterized by abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix components that are expressed by liver myofibroblasts such as collagens and alpha-smooth actin proteins. Activated hepatic stellate cells contribute to the major population of myofibroblasts. Many treatments for liver fibrosis have been investigated in clinical trials, including dietary supplementation (e.g., vitamin C), biological treatment (e.g., simtuzumab), drug (e.g., pegbelfermin and natural herbs), genetic regulation (e.g., non-coding RNAs), and transplantation of stem cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells). However, none of these treatments has been approved by Food and Drug Administration. The treatment efficacy can be evaluated by histological staining methods, imaging methods, and serum biomarkers, as well as fibrosis scoring systems, such as fibrosis-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score. Furthermore, the reverse of liver fibrosis is slowly and frequently impossible for advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. To avoid the life-threatening stage of liver fibrosis, anti-fibrotic treatments, especially for combined behavior prevention, biological treatment, drugs or herb medicines, and dietary regulation are needed. This review summarizes the past studies and current and future treatments for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ye Zhang
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Radiology,The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
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Moreno-Lanceta A, Medrano-Bosch M, Simón-Codina B, Barber-González M, Jiménez W, Melgar-Lesmes P. PPAR-γ Agonist GW1929 Targeted to Macrophages with Dendrimer-Graphene Nanostars Reduces Liver Fibrosis and Inflammation. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051452. [PMID: 37242695 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play essential roles during the progression of chronic liver disease. They actively participate in the response to liver damage and in the balance between fibrogenesis and regression. The activation of the PPARγ nuclear receptor in macrophages has traditionally been associated with an anti-inflammatory phenotype. However, there are no PPARγ agonists with high selectivity for macrophages, and the use of full agonists is generally discouraged due to severe side effects. We designed dendrimer-graphene nanostars linked to a low dose of the GW1929 PPARγ agonist (DGNS-GW) for the selective activation of PPARγ in macrophages in fibrotic livers. DGNS-GW preferentially accumulated in inflammatory macrophages in vitro and attenuated macrophage pro-inflammatory phenotype. The treatment with DGNS-GW in fibrotic mice efficiently activated liver PPARγ signaling and promoted a macrophage switch from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. The reduction of hepatic inflammation was associated with a significant reduction in hepatic fibrosis but did not alter liver function or hepatic stellate cell activation. The therapeutic antifibrotic utility of DGNS-GW was attributed to an increased expression of hepatic metalloproteinases that allowed extracellular matrix remodeling. In conclusion, the selective activation of PPARγ in hepatic macrophages with DGNS-GW significantly reduced hepatic inflammation and stimulated extracellular matrix remodeling in experimental liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alazne Moreno-Lanceta
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Medrano-Bosch
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blanca Simón-Codina
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Wladimiro Jiménez
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Melgar-Lesmes
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Coumaric acid from M. polymorphum extracts reverses the activated state of hepatic stellate cells (GRX) and inhibits their proliferation by decreasing the p53/p21 pathway. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 396:925-937. [PMID: 36520165 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02361-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Coumaric acid is a phenolic compound found in medicinal plants. Its use has been reported in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, prevention of alterations induced by oxidative stress, as well as acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, this study evaluated coumaric acid as a potential treatment for liver fibrosis. Cell proliferation was assessed by the trypan blue exclusion technique and the cytotoxicity of coumaric acid was performed using an LDH assay. Mechanisms of cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of genes associated with apoptosis, cell cycle control, and fibrosis was assessed by qPCR. The production of lipid droplets was quantified by oil red staining. The experiments performed showed that the treatment with coumaric acid was able to reduce cell proliferation without causing cell cytotoxicity or apoptosis. Coumaric acid was able to inhibit the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK's (CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6), increasing p53 and p21, which could lead to cell cycle arrest. Treatment with coumaric acid was also able to revert the activated phenotype of GRX cells to their quiescent state. Thus, our results suggest that coumaric acid has a potential therapeutic effect against liver fibrosis.
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Niu ZS, Wang WH, Niu XJ. Recent progress in molecular mechanisms of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:6433-6477. [PMID: 36569275 PMCID: PMC9782839 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i46.6433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatectomy is currently considered the most effective option for treating patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC remains unsatisfactory, predominantly because of high postoperative metastasis and recurrence rates. Therefore, research on the molecular mechanisms of postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence will help develop effective intervention measures to prevent or delay HCC metastasis and recurrence and to improve the long-term survival of HCC patients. Herein, we review the latest research progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence to lay a foundation for improving the understanding of HCC metastasis and recurrence and for developing more precise prevention and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Shan Niu
- Laboratory of Micromorphology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wen-Hong Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Niu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Qingdao Shibei District People's Hospital, Qingdao 266033, Shandong Province, China
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10
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Pan PH, Wang YY, Lin SY, Liao SL, Chen YF, Huang WC, Chen CJ, Chen WY. Plumbagin ameliorates bile duct ligation-induced cholestatic liver injury in rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113133. [PMID: 35594710 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plumbagin, a natural bicyclic naphthoquinone, has diverse pharmacological properties and biological benefits against a number of disorders, including liver disease. Though plumbagin's hepatoprotective potential attracts attention, currently no experimental evidence exists on its effectiveness against cholestatic liver injury. The present study investigated its hepatoprotection in the rat model of extrahepatic cholestasis using Bile Duct Ligation (BDL). We found that daily plumbagin supplementation protected the liver from cholestatic damage. Hepatoprotective actions of plumbagin were accompanied by reduction of Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad, High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1)/Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4), Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α), Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90), caveolin-1, NF-κB/AP-1, Dynamin Related Protein-1 (Drp1), malondialdehyde level, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), p62/SQSTM1, and caspase 3 as well as increase of Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR), bile acid efflux transporters, glutathione, LC3-II, Beclin1, and nuclear NF-E2-Related Factor-2 (Nrf2) and Transcription Factor EB (TFEB). The activation of nuclear Nrf2 caused by plumbagin correlated well with the improvement in bile acid retention, liver histology, serum biochemical, ductular reaction, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, impaired autophagy, and fibrosis, involving interplay of multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Plumbagin is likely a candidate drug to protect the liver from cholestatic damages. Despite the promising findings from this study, translational implication of plumbagin on cholestatic liver injury warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Ho Pan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung City 435, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Yu Wang
- Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung City 407, Taiwan.
| | - Shih-Yi Lin
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung City 407, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City 112, Taiwan.
| | - Su-Lan Liao
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung City 407, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Fang Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 840, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Chi Huang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan.
| | - Chun-Jung Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung City 407, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung City 404, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Ying Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan.
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Nie X, Yu Q, Li L, Yi M, Wu B, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Han H, Yuan X. Kinsenoside Protects Against Radiation-Induced Liver Fibrosis via Downregulating Connective Tissue Growth Factor Through TGF-β1 Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:808576. [PMID: 35126163 PMCID: PMC8814438 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.808576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation-induced liver fibrosis (RILF) is a serious complication of the radiotherapy of liver cancer, which lacks effective prevention and treatment measures. Kinsenoside (KD) is a monomeric glycoside isolated from Anoectochilus roxburghii, which has been reported to show protective effect on the early progression of liver fibrosis. However, the role of KD in affecting RILF remains unknown. Here, we found that KD alleviated RILF via downregulating connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) through TGF-β1 signaling. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with 20 mg/kg KD per day for 8 weeks after a single 30Gy irradiation on the right part of liver, and tumor-bearing nude mice were administered with 30 mg/kg KD per day after a single fraction of 10Gy on the tumor inoculation site. Twenty-four weeks postirradiation, we found that the administration of KD after irradiation resulted in decreased expression of α-SMA and fibronectin in the liver tissue while had no adverse effect on the tumor radiotherapy. Besides, KD inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) postirradiation via targeting CTGF as indicated by the transcriptome sequencing. Results of the pathway enrichment and immunohistochemistry suggested that KD reduced the expression of TGF-β1 protein after radiotherapy, and exogenous TGF-β1 induced HSCs to produce α-SMA and other fibrosis-related proteins. The content of activated TGF-β1 in the supernatant decreased after treatment with KD. In addition, KD inhibited the expression of the fibrosis-related proteins by regulating the TGF-β1/Smad/CTGF pathway, resulting in the intervention of liver fibrosis. In conclusion, this study revealed that KD alleviated RILF through the regulation of TGFβ1/Smad/CTGF pathway with no side effects on the tumor therapy. KD, in combination with blocking the TGF-β1 pathway and CTGF molecule or not, may become the innovative and effective treatment for RILF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Nie
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Dermatology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianqian Yu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Minxiao Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bili Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongbiao Huang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hu Han
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Hu Han, ; Xianglin Yuan,
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Hu Han, ; Xianglin Yuan,
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12
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Baghaei K, Mazhari S, Tokhanbigli S, Parsamanesh G, Alavifard H, Schaafsma D, Ghavami S. Therapeutic potential of targeting regulatory mechanisms of hepatic stellate cell activation in liver fibrosis. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:1044-1061. [PMID: 34952225 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a manifestation of different etiologies of liver disease with the involvement of multiple mediators in complex network interactions. Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the central driver of hepatic fibrosis, given their potential to induce connective tissue formation and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein accumulation. Therefore, identifying the cellular and molecular pathways involved in the activation of HSCs is crucial in gaining mechanistic and therapeutic perspectives to more effectively target the disease. In addition to a comprehensive summary of our current understanding of the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis, we also discuss here the proposed therapeutic strategies based on targeting HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran; Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Sogol Mazhari
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Gilda Parsamanesh
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Helia Alavifard
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | | | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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