Hepatoprotective effects of a Chinese herbal formulation, Yingchen decoction, on olaquindox-induced hepatopancreas injury in Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

Regulatory effect of Yinchenhao decoction on bile acid metabolism to improve the inflammatory microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with extremely high mortality. The tumor microenvironment is the "soil" of its occurrence and development, and the inflammatory microenvironment is an important part of the "soil". Bile acid is closely related to the occurrence of HCC. Bile acid metabolism disorder is not only directly involved in the occurrence and development of HCC but also affects the inflammatory microenvironment of HCC. Yinchenhao decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, can regulate bile acid metabolism and may affect the inflammatory microenvironment of HCC. To determine the effect of Yinchenhao decoction on bile acid metabolism in mice with HCC and to explore the possible mechanism by which Yinchenhao decoction improves the inflammatory microenvironment of HCC by regulating bile acid metabolism, we established mice model of orthotopic transplantation of hepatocellular carcinoma. These mice were treated with three doses of Yinchenhao decoction, then liver samples were collected and tested. Yinchenhao decoction can regulate the disorder of bile acid metabolism in liver cancer mice. Besides, it can improve inflammatory reactions, reduce hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, and even reduce liver weight and the liver index. Taurochenodeoxycholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid, and taurohyodeoxycholic acid are important molecules in the regulation of the liver inflammatory microenvironment, laying a foundation for the regulation of the liver tumor inflammatory microenvironment based on bile acids. Yinchenhao decoction may improve the inflammatory microenvironment of mice with HCC by ameliorating hepatic bile acid metabolism.

Effects of dietary berberine on growth performance, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity and lipometabolism-related genes expression of AMPK signaling pathway in juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) fed high-fat diets

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with berberine on growth, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity and lipometabolism-related genes expression of AMPK signaling pathway in juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). Five hundred and forty healthy fish (4.04 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed into six groups, and fed six experimental diets: normal-fat diet (NFD, 5% fat), HFD (15% fat), and four HFDs supplemented with graded levels of berberine, respectively. The results showed that, compared with fish fed NFD, HFD had no effects on the growth of fish except for reducing survival rate, whereas HFD caused extensive lipid accumulation, oxidative stress injury and hepatic abnormalities. However, compared with the HFD group, fish fed HFD containing an appropriate berberine (98.26 or 196.21 mg/kg) improved the growth performance, increased hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidant enzymes activities, and up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of ampk subunits and lipolysis genes such as pparα, cpt-1, acox, atgl and hsl (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, HFD supplemented with an appropriate berberine reduced crude lipid contents in liver and whole-body, decreased serum lipid contents, and ALT and AST activities, and down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of lipogenesis genes such as srebp-1, acc1, gpat, fas and pparγ, and lipid transporter genes such as fatp, fabp and fat/cd36 (P < 0.05). Thus, HFD supplemented with an appropriate berberine could improve growth of black carp, promote lipid metabolism and enhance antioxidant capacity. The lipid-lowering mechanism of berberine might be mediated by activating AMPK pathway, up-regulating lipolysis genes expression, and down-regulating lipogenesis and transport genes expression.

Olaquindox-Induced Liver Damage Involved the Crosstalk of Oxidative Stress and p53 In Vivo and In Vitro

Olaquindox (OLA), a member of the quinoxaline-N,N-dioxide family, has been widely used as a growth-promoting feed additive and treatment for bacterial infections. The toxicity has been a major concern, and the precise molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. The present study was aimed at investigating the roles of oxidative stress and p53 in OLA-caused liver damage. In a mouse model, OLA administration could markedly cause liver injury as well as the induction of oxidative stress and activation of p53. Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited OLA-induced oxidative stress and p53 activation in vivo. Furthermore, knockout of the p53 gene could significantly inhibit OLA-induced liver damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and the mitochondria apoptotic pathway, compared to the p53 wild-type liver tissue. The cell model in vitro further demonstrated that p53 knockout or knockdown in the HCT116 cell and L02 cell significantly inhibited cell apoptosis and increased cell viability, presented by suppressing ROS production, oxidative stress, and the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Moreover, loss of p53 decreased OLA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activations, with the evidence of inhibited activation of phosphorylation- (p-) p38 and p-JNK and upregulated cell autophagy via activation of the LC3 and Beclin1 pathway in HCT116 and L02 cells. Taken together, our findings provided a support that p53 primarily played a proapoptotic role in OLA-induced liver damage against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which were largely dependent on suppression of the JNK/p38 pathway and upregulation of the autophagy pathway via activation of LC3 and Beclin1.

Developmental neurotoxicity and toxic mechanisms induced by olaquindox in zebrafish

Olaquindox (OLA) has been widely used as an animal feed additive in China for decades; however, its toxicity and toxic mechanisms have not been well investigated. In this study, the developmental neurotoxicity and toxic mechanisms of OLA were evaluated in zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations of OLA (25-1,000 mg/L) from 6 to 120 hours post fertilization (hpf). OLA exposure resulted in many abnormal phenotypes in zebrafish, including shortened body length, notochord degeneration, spinal curvature, brain apoptosis, damage of axon and peripheral motor neuron, and hepatotoxicity. Interestingly, OLA increased zebrafish spontaneous tail coiling, while reduced locomotor capacity. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) showed that the expression levels of nine marker genes for nervous system functions or development, namely, α1-tubulin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (gfap), myelin basic protein (mbp), synapsinII a (syn2a), sonic hedgehog a (shha), encoding HuC (elavl3), mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (manf) growth associated protein 43 (gap43), and acetylcholinesterase (ache) were all down-regulated significantly in zebrafish after treated with OLA. Besides, the anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes bcl-2/bax ratio was reduced. These results show that OLA exposure could cause severe developmental neurotoxicity in the early stages of zebrafish life and OLA might induce neurotoxicity by inhibiting the expression of neuro-developmental genes and promoting apoptosis.

Dietary berberine regulates lipid metabolism in muscle and liver of black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) fed normal or high-lipid diets

The present study investigated the influence of berberine (BBR) supplementation in normal and high-lipid (HL) diets on lipid metabolism and accumulation in black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii). BBR was supplemented at 50 mg/kg to control (Con, 11·1 % crude lipid) and high-lipid (HL, 20·2 % crude lipid) diets and named as ConB and HLB, respectively. After the 8-week feeding trial, fish body length and specific growth rate were significantly reduced by HL diets (P < 0·05). Muscle and whole-body crude lipid contents were significantly influenced by both BBR supplementation and dietary lipid level. Fish fed the HLB diet had significantly lower serum TAG, LDL-cholesterol contents and alanine aminotransferase activity compared with the HL group. The HL group presented vast lipid accumulation in the liver, and hypertrophied hepatocytes along with large lipid droplets, and translocation of nuclear to the cell periphery. These abnormalities in black sea bream were alleviated in the HLB group. BBR supplementation in the HL diet significantly down-regulated the hepatic expression levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and pparγ, whereas the lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a expression levels were significantly up-regulated. However, the expression levels of these genes showed opposite trends in muscle (except for pparγ). In conclusion, dietary BBR supplementation in the HL diet reduced hepatic lipid accumulation by down-regulating lipogenesis gene expression and up-regulating lipolysis gene expression, and it increased muscle lipid contents with opposite trends of the mechanism observed in the liver.

Effects of berberine on growth, liver histology, and expression of lipid-related genes in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) fed high-fat diets

Fatty liver of cultured fish often correlates closely with poor growth and low harvest yield. Some Chinese herbs can reduce hepatic fat storage. This study aimed to examine lipid-lowering effect of berberine (BBR) in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Triplicate groups of fish were fed four experimental diets: low-fat diet (LFD, 5% fat), high-fat diet (HFD, 15% fat), and HFD supplemented with 50 or 100 mg BBR/kg diet (BBR50, BBR100). After 8-week feeding, growth performance, liver histology and fat deposition, and hepatic genes expression were examined. The results showed significant reduction of growth performance and feed intake in fish fed HFD compared to those fed the LFD and BBR50 diets. Supplementing 50 mg BBR/kg to the HFD significantly improved weight gain and feed intake. Higher hepatic fat content and histological abnormalities were found in the liver of fish receiving HFD, and BBR50 and BBR100 could attenuate these abnormalities of liver. Expression of CPT I, AOX, ApoB100, ApoE, and PGC-1α genes was significantly decreased in fish fed HFD, and 50 and 100 mg/kg BBR supplementation could revert the downregulation of these genes. Also, the expression of FATP, LPL, and LDLR genes was upregulated in HFD-fed fish, and their expression was significantly decreased by 50 and 100 mg/kg BBR supplementation. In conclusion, supplementing BBR to HFD could attenuate liver fat deposition and disorders. The fat-lowering effects of BBR appear to be mediated by activating genes related with fatty acid oxidation and decreasing genes for fatty acid uptake.

Effect of dietary betaine on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in blunt snout bream fed a high-fat diet

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary betaine levels on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) with initial body weight 4.3 ± 0.1 g [mean ± SEM]. Five practical diets were formulated to contain normal-fat diet (NFD), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with betaine addition (HFB) at difference levels (0.6, 1.2, 1.8%), respectively. The results showed that the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain ratio (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (CF), and feed intake (FI) (P < 0.05) were obtained in fish fed 1.2% betaine supplementation, whereas feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower in the same group compared to others. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and abdominal fat rate (AFR) were significantly high in fat group compared to the lowest in NDF and 1.2% betaine supplementation, while VSI and survival rate (SR) were not affected by dietary betaine supplementation. Significantly higher (P < 0.05), plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cortisol, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content were observed in HFD but were improved when supplemented with 1.2% betaine. In addition, increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in 1.2% betaine inclusion could reverse the increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) level induced by HFD. Based on the second-order polynomial analysis, the optimum growth of blunt snout bream was observed in fish fed HFD supplemented with 1.2% betaine. HFD upregulated fatty acid synthase messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and downregulated carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein mRNA expression; nevertheless, 1.2% betaine supplementation significantly reversed these HFD-induced effects, implying suppression of fatty acid synthesis, β-oxidation, and lipid transport. This present study indicated that inclusion of betaine (1.2%) can significantly improve growth performance and antioxidant defenses, as well as reduce fatty acid synthesis and enhance mitochondrial β-oxidation and lipid transportation in high-fat diet-fed blunt snout bream, thus effectively alleviating fat accumulation in the liver by changing lipid metabolism.

Growth performance, innate immune responses and disease resistance of fingerling blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala adapted to different berberine-dietary feeding modes

A 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of different berberine-dietary feeding modes on growth, non-specific immune responses and disease resistance of blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala. Fish (average initial weight 4.70 ± 0.02 g) were fed two fat levels (5% and 10%) diets in three berberine-feeding modes (supplementing 50 mg/kg berberine continuously, two-week or four-week intervals) with four replicates, respectively. Then, fish were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila and mortality was recorded for the next 96 h after feeding trial. The results showed that different feeding modes of berberine significantly influenced growth, innate immunity and antioxidant capability of fish. Fish fed normal diet with 50 mg/kg berberine at two-week interval mode reflected remarkably (P < 0.05) high weight gain (WG). Plasma TC and TG contents were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. The lysozyme (LYZ) activities, complement component 3 (C3) and complement component 4 (C4) concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Fish not only exhibited relatively low hepatopancreas malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid peroxide (LPO) contents, but also significantly (P < 0.05) improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Fish mortality after challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila was decreased. Same results were also presented in fish fed high-fat diet with 50 mg/kg berberine at two-week, four-week intervals or continuous feeding modes. Based on fish healthy improvement and feeding cost saving, blunt snout bream fed normal diet with 50 mg/kg berberine at two-week interval or fed high-fat diet with berberine at two-week or four-week intervals were optimal feeding mode, respectively.

Berberine attenuates oxidative stress and hepatocytes apoptosis via protecting mitochondria in blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala fed high-fat diets

High-fat diets may have favorable effects on growth and cost, but high-fat diets often induce excessive fat deposition, resulting in liver damage. This study aimed to identify the hepatoprotective of a Chinese herb (berberine) for blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Fish were fed with a normal diet (LFD, 5 % fat), high-fat diet (HFD, 15 % fat) or berberine-supplemented diets (BSD, 15 % fat with berberine 50 or 100 mg/kg level) for 8 weeks. After the feeding, histology, oxidative status and mitochondrial function of liver were assessed. The results showed that HFD caused fat accumulation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in hepatocytes of fish. Hepatocytes in HFD group appeared to be hypertrophied, with larger liver cells diameter than these of LFD group. Berberine-supplemented diets could attenuate oxidative stress and hepatocytes apoptosis. HFD induced the decreasing mitochondrial complexes activities and bulk density and surface area density. Berberine improved function of mitochondrial respiratory chain via increasing the complex activities. Moreover, the histological results showed that berberine has the potential to repair mitochondrial ultrastructural damage and elevate the density in cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that berberine has attenuated liver damage induced by the high fat mainly via the protection for mitochondria.

The critical role of oxidative stress in the toxicity and metabolism of quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides in vitro and in vivo

Quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide derivatives (QdNOs) have been widely used as growth promoters and antibacterial agents. Carbadox (CBX), olaquindox (OLA), quinocetone (QCT), cyadox (CYA) and mequindox (MEQ) are the classical members of QdNOs. Some members of QdNOs are known to cause a variety of toxic effects. To date, however, almost no review has addressed the toxicity and metabolism of QdNOs in relation to oxidative stress. This review focused on the research progress associated with oxidative stress as a plausible mechanism for QdNO-induced toxicity and metabolism. The present review documented that the studies were performed over the past 10 years to interpret the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress as the results of QdNO treatment and have correlated them with various types of QdNO toxicity, suggesting that oxidative stress plays critical roles in their toxicities. The major metabolic pathways of QdNOs are N→O group reduction and hydroxylation. Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), aldehyde oxidase (SsAOX1), carbonyl reductase (CBR1) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes were involved in the QdNOs metabolism. Further understanding the role of oxidative stress in QdNOs-induced toxicity will throw new light onto the use of antioxidants and scavengers of ROS as well as onto the blind spots of metabolism and the metabolizing enzymes of QdNOs. The present review might contribute to revealing the QdNOs toxicity, protecting against oxidative damage and helping to improve the rational use of concurrent drugs, while developing novel QdNO compounds with more efficient potentials and less toxic effects.