Hydrogen gas alleviates acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice via modulating TLR4/9 innate immune signaling and pyroptosis

Application trends of hydrogen-generating nanomaterials for the treatment of ROS-related diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play essential roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Under physiological conditions, appropriate amounts of ROS play an important role in signaling and regulation in cells. However, too much ROS can lead to many health problems, including inflammation, cancer, delayed wound healing, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), and autoimmune diseases, and oxidative stress from excess ROS is also one of the most critical factors in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis. Hydrogen gas effectively removes ROS from the body due to its good antioxidant properties, and hydrogen therapy has become a promising gas therapy strategy due to its inherent safety and stability. The combination of nanomaterials can achieve targeted delivery and effective accumulation of hydrogen, and has some ameliorating effects on diseases. Herein, we summarize the use of hydrogen-producing nanomaterials for the treatment of ROS-related diseases and talk about the prospects for the treatment of other ROS-induced disease models, such as acute kidney injury.

Weizmannia coagulans BC99 Attenuates Oxidative Stress Induced by Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury via Nrf2/SKN-1 Pathway and Liver Metabolism Regulation

Acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) remains a significant global health concern, primarily driven by oxidative stress. This study investigated the protective mechanisms of Weizmannia coagulans BC99 against alcohol-induced oxidative stress using a dual model in rats and Caenorhabditis elegans. In rats, excessive alcohol was predominantly metabolized via the CYP2E1 pathway, leading to severe oxidative stress. However, intervention with BC99 suppressed CYP2E1 expression and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities through the Nrf2/SKN-1 pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative stress. Additionally, BC99 treatment elevated glutamate and aspartate levels while reducing glycerate and glucose, which collectively increased glutathione levels and mitigated oxidative stress triggered by glucose metabolism disorders. In C. elegans, BC99 reduced excessive ROS by upregulating Nrf2/skn-1, daf-16, and their downstream antioxidant genes, consequently alleviating the biotoxicity associated with alcohol-induced oxidative damage. The protective effects of BC99 were markedly diminished in the skn-1 mutant (GR2245) and daf-16 mutant (CF1038), further confirming the pivotal roles of SKN-1 and DAF-16 pathways in BC99-mediated antioxidant protection. Taken together, these findings reveal that BC99 mitigates alcohol-induced oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/SKN-1 pathway and regulating liver metabolites to eliminate excess ROS, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the application of probiotics in preventing acute alcoholic liver injury.

The Improvement Effects of Weizmannia coagulans BC99 on Liver Function and Gut Microbiota of Long-Term Alcohol Drinkers: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

With the improvement of living standards, alcoholic liver disease caused by long-term drinking has been a common multiple disease. Probiotic interventions may help mitigate liver damage caused by alcohol intake, but the mechanisms need more investigation.

METHODS

This study involved 70 long-term alcohol drinkers (18-65 years old, alcohol consumption ≥20 g/day, lasting for more than one year) who were randomly assigned to either the BC99 group or the placebo group. Two groups were given BC99 (3 g/day, 1 × 1010 CFU) or placebo (3 g/day) for 60 days, respectively. Before and after the intervention, blood routine indicators, liver function, renal function, inflammatory factors and intestinal flora were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results showed that intervention with Weizmannia coagulans BC99 reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, serum total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and 'blood urea nitrogen/creatinine'. Weizmannia coagulans BC99 also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. The results of intestinal flora analysis showed that Weizmannia coagulans BC99 regulated the imbalance of intestinal flora, increased the beneficial bacteria abundance (Prevotella, Faecalibacterium and Roseburia) and reduced the conditionally pathogenic bacteria abundance (Escherichia-Shigella and Klebsiella). Both LEfSe analysis and random forest analysis indicated that the increase in the abundance of Muribaculaceae induced by BC99 was a key factor in alleviating alcohol-induced liver damage.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that Weizmannia coagulans BC99 has the potential to alleviate alcoholic liver injury and provide an effective strategy for liver protection in long-term drinkers.

Potential Mechanisms and Effects of Dai Bai Jie Ethanol Extract in Preventing Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury

This study investigated the protective effect of Dai Bai Jie (DBJ) extract against acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) and elucidated its potential mechanism. The total saponin level in the DBJ extracts was measured using vanillin-chloroform acid colorimetry. To observe the preventive and protective effects of DBJ on AML-12 cells in an ethanol environment, the effective components of DBJ were identified. An alcohol-induced AALI mouse model was used to evaluate the efficacy of DBJ against AALI. For this purpose, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) levels were assessed, liver function indices and oxidative and inflammatory markers were determined, and histopathological examinations were performed. Mechanistic investigations were conducted using RT-qPCR assays and immunohistochemical analysis to determine the protective effects of DBJ. The samples (DBJ-1, DBJ-2, and DBJ-3) were obtained by extracting DBJ with water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol, yielding total saponin contents of 5.35%, 6.64%, and 11.83%, respectively. DBJ-3 was isolated and purified, and its components were identified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). DBJ-3 had the greatest effect on cell viability in an ethanol environment. Moreover, DBJ-3 reduced inflammatory infiltration, liver cell degeneration, and hemorrhage, while increasing ADH and ALDH levels in liver tissues. Additionally, DBJ-3 considerably decreased the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels. DBJ-3 reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Furthermore, DBJ-3 significantly increased alcohol dehydrogenase 1b (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) expression at the gene and protein levels within alcohol metabolism pathways and reduced the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) gene and protein levels. These findings suggest that DBJ-3 can prevent AALI by enhancing alcohol metabolism via the regulation of ADH1B and ALDH2 and the modulation of the NF-κB pathway to improve antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Insufficient S-sulfhydration of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 participates in hyperhomocysteinemia-induced liver injury

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Previous studies have established that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) significantly contributes to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Conversely, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has shown potential in mitigating NASH. Despite these findings, it remains uncertain whether H2S can serve as a therapeutic agent against HHcy-induced liver damage.

METHODS

Mice were fed a high-methionine diet to induce HHcy and HepG2 cells were exposed to homocysteine (Hcy). In both models, we assessed liver injury, H2S concentration, and autophagy levels. For rescue, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an H2S donor, was used to test its potential in reversing hepatic pathological features induced by HHcy.

RESULTS

1) Hcy accumulation led to liver damage and increased autophagy. This was linked to insufficient S-sulfhydration of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) at Cys244 and Cys282, a crucial autophagy regulator. The deficiency in S-sulfhydration was resulted from downregulation of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and subsequent H2S decrease, leading to SGK1 inactivation. 2) Administration of NaHS reduced the liver damage caused by high Hcy levels and restored H2S levels, promoting the S-sulfhydration and activation of SGK1. 3) Pharmacological inhibition of SGK1 induced autosis, a specific type of cell death caused by overactivation of autophagy. Conversely, a constitutively active mutant of SGK1 (SGK1S422D) significantly decreased autophagy and improved cell viability.

CONCLUSIONS

NaHS supplementation mitigates HHcy-induced liver injury by downregulating hepatic autophagy through the S-sulfhydration and activation of SGK1. This post-translational modification by H2S holds promise as a therapeutic approach for HHcy-induced liver injury.

Capsaicin alleviates acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis by activating ESCRT-III-dependent cell membrane repair in hepatocytes

Capsaicin (CAP), the active ingredient in hot chilli peppers, has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotection effects. Acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) is liver damage caused by acute alcohol abuse, which can lead to severe liver lesions and even be life-threatening. Pyroptosis is inflammation-related programmed cell death characterized by membrane rupture and plays a key role in AALI. The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) proteins can gather at damaged areas of the membrane to facilitate the process of sealing the membrane. In this study, we found that CAP could relieve acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis of hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, we found that CAP could alleviate acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis by activating the ESCRT-III-dependent membrane repair machinery. Furthermore, the data showed that CAP induced ESCRT-III protein expression by activating transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1 (TRPV1) on the cell membrane and Ca2+ influx. TRPV1 inhibitor capsazepine (CPZ) inhibited the relief effect of CAP on acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis. Overall, these results showed that CAP might activate ESCRT-III-dependent membrane repair machinery through Ca2+ influx, which is regulated by TRPV1 calcium channels, therefore mitigating acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis. Our research provides a new perspective on a naturally active food product to promote cell repair and relieve AALI.

Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Outcomes: Critical Mechanisms of Liver Injury Progression

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents a spectrum of liver injury beginning with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) progressing to inflammation and culminating in cirrhosis. Multiple factors contribute to ALD progression and disease severity. Here, we overview several crucial mechanisms related to ALD end-stage outcome development, such as epigenetic changes, cell death, hemolysis, hepatic stellate cells activation, and hepatic fatty acid binding protein 4. Additionally, in this review, we also present two clinically relevant models using human precision-cut liver slices and hepatic organoids to examine ALD pathogenesis and progression.