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Vargas-Pozada EE, Ramos-Tovar E, Acero-Hernández C, Cardoso-Lezama I, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Muriel P. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of caffeine effectively attenuate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury in male rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 101:147-159. [PMID: 36744700 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2022-0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The antioxidant effect of caffeine, associated with its ability to upregulate the nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)-signaling pathway, was explored as a possible mechanism for the attenuation of liver damage. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was induced in rats by the administration of a high-fat, high-sucrose, high-cholesterol diet (HFSCD) for 15 weeks. Liver damage was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide (TAA) for six weeks. Caffeine was administered orally at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight during the period of NASH induction to evaluate its ability to prevent disease development. Meanwhile, rats received TAA for three weeks, after which 50 mg/kg caffeine was administered daily for three weeks with TAA to evaluate its capacity to interfere with the progression of hepatic injury. HFSCD administration induced hepatic steatosis, decreased Nrf2 levels, increased oxidative stress, induced the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels, leading to hepatic damage. TAA administration produced similar effects, excluding steatosis. Caffeine increased Nrf2 levels; attenuated oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal; restored normal, reduced glutathione levels; and reduced NF-κB activation, inflammatory cytokine levels, and damage. Our findings suggest that caffeine may be useful in the treatment of human liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo E Vargas-Pozada
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City 14-740, Mexico
| | - Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Postgraduate Studies and Research Section, School of Higher Education in Medicine-IPN, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Consuelo Acero-Hernández
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City 14-740, Mexico
| | - Irina Cardoso-Lezama
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City 14-740, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City 14-740, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City 14-740, Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City 14-740, Mexico
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2
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Vargas-Pozada EE, Ramos-Tovar E, Rodriguez-Callejas JD, Cardoso-Lezama I, Galindo-Gómez S, Gil-Becerril K, Vásquez-Garzón VR, Arellanes-Robledo J, Tsutsumi V, Villa-Treviño S, Muriel P. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by CCl 4 exacerbates hepatopathogenic diet-induced experimental NASH. Ann Hepatol 2023; 28:100780. [PMID: 36309184 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), along with an hepatopathogenic diet, is widely employed as a chemical inducer to replicate human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rodents; however, the role of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in this model remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relevance of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the development of NASH induced by CCl4 along with an hepatopathogenic diet in male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals were fed either a high fat, sucrose, and cholesterol diet (HFSCD) or a HFSCD plus intraperitoneal injections of low doses of CCl4 (400 mg/kg) once a week for 15 weeks. Liver steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation were evaluated using biochemical, histological, ultrastructural, and immunofluorescence analyses, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our experimental model reproduced several aspects of the human NASH pathophysiology. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was induced by the combined effect of HFSCD plus CCl4 and significantly increased levels of both proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and collagen deposition in the liver; thus, NASH severity was higher in the HFSCD+CCl4 group than that in the HFSCD group, to which CCl4 was not administered. Hepatic stellate cells, the most profibrogenic cells, were activated by HFSCD plus CCl4, as indicated by elevated levels of α-smooth muscle actin. Thus, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, triggered by low doses of CCl4, exacerbates the severity of NASH. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that NLRP3 inflammasome activation plays a key role and may be an important therapeutic target for NASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo E Vargas-Pozada
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Postgraduate Studies and Research Section, School of Higher Education in Medicine-IPN, Apartado Postal 11340, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan D Rodriguez-Callejas
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Irina Cardoso-Lezama
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karla Gil-Becerril
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Verónica Rocío Vásquez-Garzón
- Laboratory of Fibrosis and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. 'Benito Juárez' Autonomous University of Oaxaca, UABJO. Oaxaca, Mexico; National Council of Science and Technology CONACYT. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jaime Arellanes-Robledo
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases; National Institute of Genomic Medicine, INMEGEN. Directorate of Catedras; National Council of Science and Technology, CONACYT. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Saúl Villa-Treviño
- Department of Cell Biology; Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Moran-Garcia N, Lopez-Saucedo C, Becerra A, Meza-Segura M, Hernandez-Cazares F, Guerrero-Baez J, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Schnoor M, Méndez-Tenorio A, Nataro JP, Estrada-Garcia T. A Novel Adult Murine Model of Typical Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Infection Reveals Microbiota Dysbiosis, Mucus Secretion, and AAF/II-Mediated Expression and Localization of β-Catenin and Expression of MUC1 in Ileum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:885191. [PMID: 35706909 PMCID: PMC9190437 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.885191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Typical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (tEAEC) is a diarrheagenic E. coli pathotype associated with pediatric and traveler’s diarrhea. Even without diarrhea, EAEC infections in children also lead to increased gut inflammation and growth shortfalls. EAEC strain’s defining phenotype is the aggregative adherence pattern on epithelial cells attributable to the aggregative adherence fimbriae (AAF). EAEC only causes diarrhea in humans; therefore, not much is known of the exact intestinal region of infection and damage or its interactions with intestinal enterocytes in vivo and in situ. This study aimed to develop a new tEAEC mouse model of infection, characterize the microbiota of infected mice, and evaluate in situ the expression of host adherence and surface molecules triggering EAEC infection and the role of the EAEC AAF-II in adherence. Six-week-old C57BL/6 mice, without previous antibiotic treatment, were orally challenged with EAEC 042 strain or EAEC 042 AAF-II mutant (ΔAAF/II) strain, or DAEC-MXR strain (diffusely adherent E. coli clinical isolate), and with saline solution (control group). Paraffin sections of the colon and ileum were stained with H&E and periodic acid-Schiff. ZO-1, β-catenin, MUC1, and bacteria were analyzed by immunofluorescence. EAEC-infected mice, in comparison with DAEC-MXR-infected and control mice, significantly lost weight during the first 3 days. After 7 days post-infection, mucus production was increased in the colon and ileum, ZO-1 localization remained unaltered, and morphological alterations were more pronounced in the ileum since increased expression and apical localization of β-catenin in ileal enterocytes were observed. EAEC-infected mice developed dysbiosis 21 days post-infection. At 4 days post-infection, EAEC strain 042 formed a biofilm on ileal villi and increased the expression and apical localization of β-catenin in ileal enterocytes; these effects were not seen in animals infected with the 042 ΔAAF/II strain. At 3 days post-infection, MUC1 expression on ileal enterocytes was mainly detectable among infected mice and colocalized with 042 strains on the enterocyte surface. We developed a novel mouse model of EAEC infection, which mimics human infection, not an illness, revealing that EAEC 042 exerts its pathogenic effects in the mouse ileum and causes dysbiosis. This model is a unique tool to unveil early molecular mechanisms of EAEC infection in vivo and in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adriana Becerra
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario Meza-Segura
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Michael Schnoor
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Méndez-Tenorio
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - James P. Nataro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Teresa Estrada-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Teresa Estrada-Garcia,
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Vargas-Pozada EE, Ramos-Tovar E, Acero-Hernández C, Cardoso-Lezama I, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Muriel P. Caffeine mitigates experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and the progression of thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis by blocking the MAPK and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathways. Ann Hepatol 2022; 27:100671. [PMID: 35065262 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Caffeine consumption is associated with beneficial effects on hepatic disorders. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antifibrotic effects of caffeine on experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced with a high-fat, high-sucrose, high-cholesterol diet (HFSCD), as well as to evaluate the ability of caffeine to prevent the progression of experimental liver fibrosis induced by the administration of thioacetamide (TAA) in rats and explore the mechanisms of action. METHODS NASH and fibrosis were induced in rats by the administration of an HFSCD for 15 weeks, and liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg TAA 3 times per week, for 6 weeks. Caffeine was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The effects of diet, TAA, and caffeine on fibrosis were evaluated by biochemical and histological examinations. The profibrotic pathways were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Rats exhibited liver fibrosis after HFSCD feeding and the administration of TAA. Caffeine could reduce the hepatic level of collagen and the fibrotic area in the liver. Caffeine prevented the progression of liver fibrosis by decreasing transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and by inhibiting the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Smad3 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS Caffeine attenuates NASH and the progression of liver fibrosis due to its antifibrotic effects and modulating the MAPK and TGF-β pathways. Therefore, caffeine could be a suitable candidate for treating liver diseases associated with fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo E Vargas-Pozada
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado 14-740 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Postgraduate Studies and Research Section, School of Higher Education in Medicine-IPN, Apartado 11340 Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Consuelo Acero-Hernández
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado 14-740 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Irina Cardoso-Lezama
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado 14-740 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado 14-740 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado 14-740 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado 14-740 Mexico City, Mexico.
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Burgos-Reyes MA, Baylón-Pacheco L, Espíritu-Gordillo P, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Rosales-Encina JL. Effect of Prophylactic Vaccination with the Membrane-Bound Acid Phosphatase Gene of Leishmania mexicana in the Murine Model of Localized Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6624246. [PMID: 33928168 PMCID: PMC8053065 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6624246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Current treatments for leishmaniasis are long, toxic, and expensive and are not available in some endemic regions. Attempts to develop an effective vaccine are feasible, but no vaccine is in active clinical use. In this study, the LmxMBA gene of Leishmania mexicana was selected as a possible vaccine candidate using the reverse vaccinology approach, and the prophylactic effect generated by DNA vaccination with this gene in a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis was evaluated. The results showed that prophylactic vaccination with pVAX1::LmxMBA significantly reduced the size of the lesion and the parasitic load on the footpad, compared to the control groups. At a histological level, a smaller number of parasites were evident in the dermis, as well as the absence of connective tissue damage. Mice immunized with plasmid pVAX1::LmxMBA induced immunity characterized by an increase in the IgG2a/IgG1 > 1 ratio and a higher rate of lymphocyte proliferation. In this study, immunization with the plasmid promoted an improvement in the macroscopic and microscopic clinical manifestations of the experimental infection by L. mexicana, with a T helper 1 response characterized by an IgG2a/IgG1 > 1 ratio and high lymphoproliferative response. These findings support immunization with the plasmid pVAX1::LmxMBA as a preventive strategy against cutaneous infection of L. mexicana.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Angélica Burgos-Reyes
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Lidia Baylón-Pacheco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Espíritu-Gordillo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - José Luis Rosales-Encina
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
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Ramos-Tovar E, Flores-Beltrán RE, Galindo-Gómez S, Camacho J, Tsutsumi V, Muriel P. An aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana variety Morita II prevents liver damage in a rat model of cirrhosis that mimics the human disease. Ann Hepatol 2020; 18:472-479. [PMID: 31053541 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM Stevia has exhibited antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties in several in vivo and in vitro models. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of an aqueous extract of stevia (AES) to prevent experimental cirrhosis in rats and to explore its mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS Liver cirrhosis was induced by administering carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (400mg/kg by i.p. injection 3 times a week for 12 weeks); AES was administered (100mg/kg by gavage daily) during the CCl4 treatment. Fibrosis was evaluated with histological, biochemical and molecular approaches, and liver damage was assessed with standardized procedures. The profibrotic pathways were analyzed by western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Chronic CCl4 administration increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and proinflammatory cytokine production as well as oxidative parameters such as lipid peroxidation and 4-hydroxynonenal levels, whereas GSH and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels were decreased. CCl4 induced profibrogenic mediator expression, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and, consequently, extracellular matrix production. AES exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties, probably because of its capacity to induce Nrf2 expression, reduce NF-κB expression and block several profibrogenic signaling pathways, subsequently inhibiting HSC activation and preventing fibrosis induced by chronic CCl4 administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosa E Flores-Beltrán
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Javier Camacho
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Ramos-Tovar E, Buendia-Montaño LD, Galindo-Gómez S, Hernández-Aquino E, Tsutsumi V, Muriel P. Stevia prevents experimental cirrhosis by reducing hepatic myofibroblasts and modulating molecular profibrotic pathways. Hepatol Res 2019; 49:212-223. [PMID: 30338893 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aims of the present study were to investigate the capacity of stevia leaves to prevent experimental cirrhosis induced by chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) in rats and to explore the action mechanism involved. METHODS Liver cirrhosis was established by CCl4 treatment (400 mg/kg i.p. three times a week for 12 weeks); stevia powder was administered (100 mg/kg by gavage daily) during the CCl4 treatment. Serum markers of liver damage and hydroxyproline were evaluated and histopathological analyses were carried out. The profibrotic pathways were analyzed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We found for the first time that stevia cotreatment prevented the elevation of serum markers of necrosis and cholestasis and the occurrence of liver fibrosis. It is worth noting that stevia downregulated several profibrogenic pathways, including the reduction of hepatic myofibroblasts and decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP13 expression, thereby blocking the liberation of transforming growth factor-β from the extracellular matrix. Notably, stevia reduced the phosphorylation of pSmad3L, the most profibrogenic and mitogenic Smad, by inhibiting the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Interestingly, Smad7, an important antifibrotic molecule, was upregulated by stevia treatment in cirrhotic rats. These multitarget mechanisms led to the prevention of experimental cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS Because stevia possesses a reasonable safety profile, our results indicate that it could be useful in the clinical setting to treat chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura D Buendia-Montaño
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erika Hernández-Aquino
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
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8
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Ramos-Tovar E, Flores-Beltrán RE, Galindo-Gómez S, Vera-Aguilar E, Diaz-Ruiz A, Montes S, Camacho J, Tsutsumi V, Muriel P. Stevia rebaudiana
tea prevents experimental cirrhosis via regulation of NF-κB, Nrf2, transforming growth factor beta, Smad7, and hepatic stellate cell activation. Phytother Res 2018; 32:2568-2576. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology; Cinvestav-IPN; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Rosa E. Flores-Beltrán
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology; Cinvestav-IPN; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis; Cinvestav-IPN; Mexico City Mexico
| | | | - Araceli Diaz-Ruiz
- Department of Neurochemistry; National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Sergio Montes
- Department of Neurochemistry; National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Javier Camacho
- Department of Pharmacology; Cinvestav-IPN; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis; Cinvestav-IPN; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology; Cinvestav-IPN; Mexico City Mexico
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Shibayama M, Martínez-Castillo M, Silva-Olivares A, Galindo-Gómez S, Navarro-García F, Escobar-Herrera J, Sabanero M, Tsutsumi V, Serrano-Luna J. Disruption of MDCK cell tight junctions by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Microbiology (Reading) 2012; 159:392-401. [PMID: 23258265 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.063255-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is the aetiological agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. This parasite invades its host by penetrating the olfactory mucosa. However, the mechanism of epithelium penetration is not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of N. fowleri trophozoites and the non-pathogenic Naegleria gruberi on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) tight junction proteins, including claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1, as well as on the actin cytoskeleton. Trophozoites from each of the free-living amoeba species were co-cultured with MDCK cells in a 1 : 1 ratio for 1, 3, 6 or 10 h. Light microscopy revealed that N. fowleri caused morphological changes as early as 3 h post-infection in an epithelial MDCK monolayer. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that after 10 h of co-culture, N. fowleri trophozoites induced epithelial cell damage, which was characterized by changes in the actin apical ring and disruption of the ZO-1 and claudin-1 proteins but not occludin. Western blot assays revealed gradual degradation of ZO-1 and claudin-1 as early as 3 h post-infection. Likewise, there was a drop in transepithelial electrical resistance that resulted in increased epithelial permeability and facilitated the invasion of N. fowleri trophozoites by a paracellular route. In contrast, N. gruberi did not induce alterations in MDCK cells even at 10 h post-infection. Based on these results, we suggest that N. fowleri trophozoites disrupt epithelial monolayers, which could enable their penetration of the olfactory epithelium and subsequent invasion of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Moisés Martínez-Castillo
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Angélica Silva-Olivares
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Fernando Navarro-García
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Jaime Escobar-Herrera
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Myrna Sabanero
- Department of Biology, University of Guanajuato, 36050 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
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Serrano-Luna J, Gutiérrez-Meza M, Mejía-Zepeda R, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Shibayama M. Effect of phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol liposomes on Entamoeba histolytica virulence. Can J Microbiol 2011; 56:987-95. [PMID: 21164568 DOI: 10.1139/w10-088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM-1:IMSS become less virulent after long-term maintenance in axenic cultures. The factors responsible for the loss of virulence during in vitro cultivation remain unclear. However, it is known that in vitro cultivation of amoeba in culture medium supplemented with cholesterol restores their virulence. In this study, we analyzed the effect of adding phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol (PC-Chol) liposomes to the culture medium and evaluated the effect of this lipid on various biochemical and biological functions of E. histolytica HM-1:IMSS in terms of its virulence. The addition of PC-Chol liposomes to the culture medium maintained the virulence of these parasites against hamster liver at the same level as the original virulent E. histolytica strain, even though these amoebae were maintained without passage through hamster liver for 18 months. The trophozoites also showed increased endocytosis, erythrophagocytosis, and carbohydrate residue expression on the amoebic surface. Protease activities were also modified by the presence of cholesterol in the culture medium. These findings indicate the capacity of cholesterol to preserve amoeba virulence and provide an alternative method for the maintenance of virulent E. histolytica trophozoites without the need for in vivo procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Zacatenco 07360, México D.F., City 07360, México.
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Cervantes-Sandoval I, de Serrano-Luna JJ, Tapia-Malagón JL, Pacheco-Yépez J, Silva-Olivares A, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Shibayama M. Characterization of Naegleria fowleri strains isolated from human cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Mexico. Rev Invest Clin 2007; 59:342-347. [PMID: 18268889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The protozoon Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) is a free-living amoeba that produces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is an acute and frequently fatal infection of the central nervous system. We characterized the strains of N. fowleri isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of two cases presented in northwestern Mexico. The strains were isolated and cultured in 2% bactocasitone medium. Enflagellation assays, ultrastructural analysis, protein and protease electrophoresis patterns, and PCR were performed as confirmatory tests. Virulence tests were done using in Balb/c mice. Light microscopy analysis of brain tissue showed amoebae with abundant inflammatory reaction and extensive necrotic and hemorrhagic areas. The enflagellation assay was positive and the electron microscopy showed trophozoites with morphologic features typical of the genus. Protein and protease profiles of the isolated strains were identical to the reference strain. Finally, a 1500-bp PCR product was found in all three strains. Based on all the analyses performed, we concluded that the etiologic agent of both PAM cases was N. fowleri. The need for better epidemiological information and educational programs about basic clinical and pathological aspects of free-living amoebae provided by the health authorities are emphasized.
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