Systemic effects of TNF-alpha secreted by circulating monocytes and fatigue in cirrhosis

Low perceived social support is associated with CD8+CD57+ lymphocyte expansion and increased TNF-α levels

Social support has been supposed to have a positive impact on the function of the immune system. However, the relationship between perceived social support and immune function has not yet been fully investigated. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the link between perceived social support and lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokines. 232 healthy subjects provided a blood sample and completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) questionnaire. Lymphocyte immunophenotypes and cytokines were determined. Significantly increased CD8+CD57+ lymphocytes and TNF-α levels were found in group with low perceived social support. Multivariate linear regression corrected for possible confounders confirmed a significant role of perceived social support in predicting the number of CD8+CD57+ lymphocyte and TNF-α levels. This study supports the association between perceived social support and immune function. In particular, poor social support may be related to a state of chronic inflammation sustained by CD8+CD57+ lymphocyte expansion and increased TNF-α levels.

Sophocarpine attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway in rats

AIM: To explore the effect of sophocarpine on experimental liver fibrosis and the potential mechanism involved.

METHODS: Sophocarpine was injected intraperitoneally in two distinct rat hepatic fibrosis models induced either by dimethylnitrosamine or bile duct ligation. Masson’s trichrome staining, Sirius red staining and hepatic hydroxyproline level were used for collagen determination. Primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated and treated with different concentrations of sophocarpine. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of fibrotic markers and cytokines. The expression of pathway proteins was measured by Western blot. The Cell Counting Kit-8 test was used to detect the proliferation rate of activated HSCs treated with a gradient concentration of sophocarpine.

RESULTS: Sophocarpine decreased serum levels of aminotransferases and total bilirubin in rats under chronic insult. Moreover, administration of sophocarpine suppressed extracellular matrix deposition and prevented the development of hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, sophocarpine inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and extracellular-related kinase (ERK) in rats. Sophocarpine also down-regulated the mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and decreased protein levels of TLR4, p-ERK, p-JNK, p-P38 and p-IKK in vitro after Lipopolysaccharide induction. In addition, sophocarpine inhibited the proliferation of HSCs accompanied by a decrease in the expression of Cyclin D1. The protein level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased in activated HSCs following a gradient concentration of sophocarpine.

CONCLUSION: Sophocarpine can alleviate liver fibrosis mainly by inhibiting the TLR4 pathway. Sophocarpine may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for chronic liver diseases.