HCBP6 Is Involved in the Development of Hepatic Steatosis Induced by High-Fat Diet and CCL4 in Rats

Machine learning model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis diagnosis based on ultrasound radiomics

BACKGROUND

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is a crucial stage in the progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(NAFLD). The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical value of ultrasound features and radiological analysis in predicting the diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

METHOD

An SD rat model of hepatic steatosis was established through a high-fat diet and subcutaneous injection of CCl4. Liver ultrasound images and elastography were acquired, along with serum data and histopathological results of rat livers.The Pyradiomics software was used to extract radiomic features from 2D ultrasound images of rat livers. The rats were then randomly divided into a training set and a validation set, and feature selection was performed through dimensionality reduction. Various machine learning (ML) algorithms were employed to build clinical diagnostic models, radiomic models, and combined diagnostic models. The efficiency of each diagnostic model for diagnosing NASH was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, Clinical Decision Curve Analysis (DCA), and calibration curves.

RESULTS

In the machine learning radiomic model for predicting the diagnosis of NASH, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of ROC curve for the clinical radiomic model in the training set and validation set were 0.989 and 0.885, respectively. The Decision Curve Analysis revealed that the clinical radiomic model had the highest net benefit within the probability threshold range of > 65%. The calibration curve in the validation set demonstrated that the clinical combined radiomic model is the optimal method for diagnosing Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

CONCLUSION

The combined diagnostic model constructed using machine learning algorithms based on ultrasound image radiomics has a high clinical predictive performance in diagnosing Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

α-NETA down-regulates CMKLR1 mRNA expression in ileum and prevents body weight gains collaborating with ERK inhibitor PD98059 in turn to alleviate hepatic steatosis in HFD-induced obese mice but no impact on ileal mucosal integrity and steatohepatitis progression

BACKGROUND

Studies on chemerin/chemokine-like receptor-1 have mainly focused on adipose and liver with the intestinal tissues largely overlooked. In this study conducted on obese mice, we have explored: 1) CMKLR1 expression in the ileums; 2) CMKLR1 inhibitor α-NETA on body weight and intestinal mucosa integrity hence the impact on hepatic steatosis and pathway involved.

METHODS

Nineteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal diet group (ND), high-fat diet group (HFD), HFD + α-NETA group (NETA), HFD + PD98059 group (PD) and HFD + α-NETA + PD98059 group (NETA + PD). Mice were fed either with a chow diet or HFD for 12 weeks. At 12^th week, mice of ND were put on the diet as before; mice of NETA received daily treatments of α-NETA (30 mg/kg) via gavage; mice of PD received daily treatment of PD98059 via tail vein injection; mice of NETA + PD received daily treatment of α-NETA + PD98059, all for another 4 weeks. At the time intervention ended, mice were sacrificed. The body weight, the liver pathologies were assessed. Ileal CMKLR1 mRNA was evaluated by rtPCR; ZO-1, ERK1/2 protein expression of ileal tissues by western blotting; liver TNF-α and serum endotoxin by Elisa.

RESULTS

More weight gains in mice of HFD than ND (37.90 ± 3.00 g) vs (24.47 ± 0.50 g), P = 0.002; α-NETA reduced the body weight (33.22 ± 1.90 g) vs (37.90 ± 3.00 g), P = 0.033; and further reduced by NETA + PD98059: (31.20 ± 1.74 g) vs (37.30 ± 4.05 g), P = 0.032. CMKLR1 mRNA expression was up-regulated in ileum in group HFD compared with ND and down-regulated by α-NETA. Steatosis was only alleviated in group PD + NETA with less weight gain. No impact of α-NETA on ileal ZO-1 or pERK with western blotting, and no endotoxin level changes were detected. TNF-α was higher in group HFD than in group ND, while no significant difference between other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

CMKLR1 mRNA was up-regulated in the ileum of obese mice and down-regulated by α-NETA along with a body weight control collaborating with ERK inhibitor PD98059. Steatosis was alleviated in a weight dependent way. α-NETA has no influence on intestinal mucosal integrity and no impact on steatohepatitis progression.

Therapeutic Effect of Polymeric Nanomicelles Formulation of LY2157299-Galunisertib on CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a major cause of liver-related disorders and together with cancer-associated fibroblasts can favor liver cancer development by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Advanced HF, characterized by an excess of extracellular matrix (ECM), is mediated by TGF- β1, that activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and fibroblasts. A TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor, LY2157299 or Galunisertib (GLY), has shown promising results against chronic liver progression in animal models, and we show that it can be further improved by enhancing GLYs bioavailability through encapsulation in polymeric polygalacturonic-polyacrylic acid nanomicelles (GLY-NMs). GLY-NMs reduced HF in an in vivo rat model of liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ as shown by the morphological, biochemical, and molecular biology parameters of normal and fibrotic livers. Moreover, GLY-NM was able to induce recovery from HF better than free GLY. Indeed, the encapsulated drug reduces collagen deposition, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, prevents fatty degeneration and restores the correct lobular architecture of the liver as well as normalizes the serum parameters and expression of the genes involved in the onset of HF. In summary, GLY-NM improved the pharmacological activity of the free TGF- β1 inhibitor in the in vivo HF treatment and thus is a candidate as a novel therapeutic strategy.

β-Hydroxyphosphocarnitine modifies fibrosis, steatosis and improves liver function in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced in rats

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation, steatosis, and liver fibrosis. The liver is particularly affected by alterations in lipid metabolism. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of β-hydroxyphosphocarnitine (β-HPC) on NASH induced in rats.

METHODS

NASH was produced via the ad libitum daily chronic administration of a fructose solution (400 kcal) for 9 weeks, an oral dose of fat solution (16 kcal) for 7 weeks and a subcutaneous injection of CCl4 (30%) two times a week for 2 weeks to Wistar rats. To evaluate the effect of β-HPC, a dose of 100 mg/kg was administered perorally for 4 weeks and its biochemical and hepatic effects on rats with NASH were analyzed. Serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver enzymes were quantified. Histological changes were evaluated on slices stained with H&E, trichromic and PAS. Glycogen content was measured in liver samples. α-SMA and SREBP-1 immunopositive cells were identified in liver tissue.

RESULTS

NASH was characterized by elevated triglycerides, elevated liver damage enzymes, and the presence of necrosis, inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis. Significant amounts of glycogen were found, along with α-SMA positive cells in fibrosis areas. The over-expression of SREBP-1 in cytoplasm and nuclei was evident. Animals with NASH treated with β-HPC showed a significant reduction in inflammation, necrosis, and glycogen content in the liver. A reduction in α-SMA and SREBP-1 immunopositive cells correlated with a significant reduction in the degree of fibrosis and steatosis found in liver tissue. β-HPC reduced the levels of ALP and GGT, and significantly reduced triglyceride levels. Animals treated with β-HPC did not show any alterations in liver enzyme function.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research shows that β-HPC can improve liver function and morphology in the case of NASH induced in rats, suggesting β-HPC could be potentially used in the treatment of NASH.

HCBP6 deficiency exacerbates glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in non-alcoholic fatty liver mice

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which often accompanied by metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia, has become a global health problem. Our previous results show that HCV core protein binding protein 6 (HCBP6) could maintain the triglyceride homeostasis in liver cells. However, the role of HCBP6 in NAFLD and its associated metabolic disorders remains incompletely understood.

METHODS

Hepatic HCBP6 expression was determined by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. HCBP6 knockout (HCBP6-KO) mice were constructed and fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce NAFLD. The effects of HCBP6 on glucose and lipid metabolism were measured by HE staining, qRT-PCR, Western blot and GTT. Wild-type and HCBP6-KO mice kept on a HFD were treated with ginsenosides Rh2, and HE staining and GTT were used to study the function of Rh2 in metabolism disorders.

RESULTS

HCBP6 is reduced in HFD-fed mice. HCBP6 deficiency increased the body weight, aggravated fatty liver and deteriorated lipid homeostasis as well as glucose homeostasis in HFD-induced mouse model of NAFLD. Moreover, HCBP6-KO mice failed to maintain body temperature upon cold challenge. Mechanistically, HCBP6 could regulate lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation via activation of AMKP in vivo. In addition, HCBP6 expression was upregulated by ginsenosides Rh2. Accordingly, ginsenosides Rh2 administrations improved HFD-induced fatty liver and glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that HCBP6 is essential in maintaining lipid and glucose homeostasis and body temperature. HCBP6 augmented by ginsenosides Rh2 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of metabolic disorders in NAFLD mice.