Acetylated deoxycholic (DCA) and cholic (CA) acids are potent ligands of pregnane X (PXR) receptor

Unveiling gut microbiota's role: Bidirectional regulation of drug transport for improved safety

Drug safety is a paramount concern in the field of drug development, with researchers increasingly focusing on the bidirectional regulation of gut microbiota in this context. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining drug safety. It can influence drug transport processes in the body through various mechanisms, thereby modulating their efficacy and toxicity. The main mechanisms include: (1) The gut microbiota directly interacts with drugs, altering their chemical structure to reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy, thereby impacting drug transport mechanisms, drugs can also change the structure and abundance of gut bacteria; (2) bidirectional regulation of intestinal barrier permeability by gut microbiota, promoting the absorption of nontoxic drugs and inhibiting the absorption of toxic components; (3) bidirectional regulation of the expression and activity of transport proteins by gut microbiota, selectively promoting the absorption of effective components or inhibiting the absorption of toxic components. This bidirectional regulatory role enables the gut microbiota to play a key role in maintaining drug balance in the body and reducing adverse reactions. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms sheds light on novel approaches to minimize toxic side effects, enhance drug efficacy, and ultimately improve drug safety. This review systematically examines the bidirectional regulation of gut microbiota in drug transportation from the aforementioned aspects, emphasizing their significance in ensuring drug safety. Furthermore, it offers a prospective outlook from the standpoint of enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing drug toxicity, underscoring the importance of further exploration in this research domain. It aims to provide more effective strategies for drug development and treatment.

Copper oxide nanoparticles induce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by disrupting bile acid homeostasis and perturbing the intestinal microbial homeostasis

The wide application of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in various fields such as medicine, food, agriculture, and animal husbandry can result in direct or indirect oral exposure of CuO NPs to the human body. Therefore, the research on the biosafety of CuO NPs is crucially important. However, previous research mainly concentrated on CuO NPs-induced oxidative stress, rather than the dysregulation of metabolic homeostasis. Our current finding indicates that CuO NPs can enter the systemic circulation and accumulate in the liver by being adopted by the colon and disrupting the intestinal barrier. Subsequently, CuO NPs can impair bile acid (BA) homeostasis through increased reabsorption of bile acids (BAs), ultimately leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, the direct stimulation from CuO NPs, damage to the gut barrier, and disruption of BA homeostasis can also disrupt microbial homeostasis in the intestines, including alterations in the composition and biological functions of gut microbiota, thereby triggering NAFLD. These findings deepen our understanding of the biosafety of CuO NPs and provide evidence for their role in disrupting physiological homeostasis.

The expression of intestinal Cyp2c55 is regulated by the microbiota and inflammation

Although the mutualistic relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the human host is crucial for maintaining health, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear. In the present study, aiming to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing the Cyp2c55 expression, which is predominantly observed in colonic tissues, germ-free, antibiotic-administered and colitic mice, as well as mouse colonoids, were used as experimental models. RNA sequencing showed comparable decreases in the colonic Cyp2c55 expression in germ-free and antibiotic-administered mice, when compared with that in specific pathogen-free mice. Furthermore, administration of dextran sulfate sodium decreased the Cyp2c55 expression in colitic mice. For these mice, a Pearson correlation analysis also showed a positive correlation between the Cyp2c55 expression and unconjugated bile acids (BAs), including chenodeoxycholic, muricholic, deoxycholic, lithocholic, and ursodeoxycholic acids, as well as taurine (T)-conjugated secondary BAs, including deoxycholic acid. Moreover, bacterial genera, such as Muribaculaceae and unclassified Lachnospiraceae, also exhibited a positive correlation with these BAs. While administration of an agonist of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) increased the Cyp2c55 expression in mouse colonoids, inflammatory cytokines decreased it. In conclusion, Cyp2c55 was highly expressed in the colonic epithelial cells of mice in a microbiota-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism seemed to involve a BA-mediated PXR activation. In addition, the colonic expression of Cyp2c55 was regulated by the inflammatory response. Although the physiological function of Cyp2c55 remains largely unidentified, our findings suggested that Cyp2c55 may play a role in the mutualistic interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the intestinal homeostasis.

Characterization of Eurotium cristatum Fermented Thinned Young Apple and Mechanisms Underlying Its Alleviating Impacts on Experimental Colitis

A hundred million tons of young apples are thinned and discarded in the orchard per year, aiming to increase the yield and quality of apples. We fermented thinned young apples using a potential probiotic fungus, Eurotium cristatum, which notably disrupted the microstructure of raw samples, as characterized by the scanning electron microscope. Fermentation substantially altered the metabolite profiles of samples, which are predicted to alleviate colitis via regulating inflammatory response and response to lipopolysaccharide by using network pharmacology analysis. In vivo, oral gavage of water extracts of E. cristatum fermented young apples (E.YAP) effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis, restored the histopathology damage, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, and promoted colonic expressions of tight junction proteins. Moreover, E.YAP ameliorated gut dysbacteriosis by increasing abundances of Lactobacillus,Blautia, Muribaculaceae, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 while inhibiting Turicibacter, Alistipes, and Desulfovibrio. Importantly, E.YAP increased colonic bile acids, such as CA, TCA, DCA, TUDCA, and LCA, thereby alleviating colitis via PXR/NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, a synbiotic combination with Limosilactobacillus reuteri WX-94, a probiotic strain isolated from feces of healthy individuals with anti-inflammatory properties, augmented anticolitis capacities of E.YAP. Our findings demonstrate that E.YAP could be a novel, potent, food-based anti-inflammatory prebiotic for relieving inflammatory injuries.

Preliminary hazard assessment of a new nature-inspired antifouling (NIAF) agent

A recently synthesized aminated 3,4-dioxygenated xanthone (Xantifoul2) was found to have promising antifouling (AF) effects against the settlement of the macrofouler Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae. Preliminary assessment indicated that Xantifoul2 has reduced ecotoxicological impacts: e.g., being non-toxic to the marine crustacea Artemia salina (<10 % mortality at 50 μM) and showing low bioconcentration factor in marine organisms. In order to meet the EU Biocidal Product Regulation, a preliminary hazard assessment of this new nature-inspired antifouling (NIAF) agent was conducted in this work. Xantifoul2 did not affect the swimming ability of the planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna, the growth of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and the cellular respiration of luminescent Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio fischeri, supporting the low toxicity towards several non-target marine species. Regarding human cytotoxicity, Xantifoul2 did not affect the cell viability of retinal human cells (hTERT-RPE-1) and lipidomic studies revealed depletion of lipids involved in cell death, membrane modeling, lipid storage, and oxidative stress only at a high concentration (10 μM). Accelerated degradation studies in water were conducted under simulated sunlight to allow the understanding of putative transformation products (TPs) that could be generated in the aquatic ecosystems. Both Xantifoul2 and photolytic-treated Xantifoul2 in the aqueous matrix were therefore evaluated on several nuclear receptors (NRs). The results of this preliminary hazard assessment of Xantifoul2, combined with the high degradation rates in water, provide strong evidence of the safety of this AF agent under the evaluated conditions, and provide the support for future validation studies before this compound can be introduced in the market.

The emerging role of bile acids in white adipose tissue

The effects of bile acids (BAs) on liver, enteroendocrine function, small intestine, and brown adipose tissue have been described extensively. Outside the liver, BAs in the peripheral circulation system represent a specific but underappreciated physiological compartment. We discuss how systemic BAs can be regarded as specific steroidal hormones that act on white adipocytes, and suggest the name 'bilokines' ('bile hormones') for the specific FXR/TGR5 receptor interaction in adipocytes. Some BAs and their agonists regulate adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, hypoxia, autophagy, adipokine and cytokine secretion, insulin signaling, and glucose uptake. BA signaling could provide a new therapeutic avenue for adipoflammation and metaflammation in visceral obesity, the causal mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Development of a system adapted for the diagnosis and evaluation of peroxisomal disorders by measuring bile acid intermediates

OBJECTIVE

Bile acid intermediates, 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxycholestanoic acid (THCA) and 3α,7α-dihydroxycholestanoic acid (DHCA), are metabolized in peroxisomes. Some peroxisomal disorders (PDs), such as Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD), show an accumulation of bile acid intermediates. In particular, ABCD3 deficiency and acyl-CoA-oxidase 2 deficiency are characterized by these metabolite abnormalities. In patients with ZSD, levels of bile acid intermediates can be lowered by a primary bile acid supplementation treatment; therefore, measuring their levels could help evaluate treatment effectiveness. Here, we established a method for the quantitative determination of bile acid intermediates (THCA/DHCA) for differentiating PDs and assessing bile acid treatment.

METHODS

Serum samples, obtained from patients with several forms of ZSD as well as peroxisomal β-oxidation enzyme deficiencies, were deproteinized and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Levels of the bile acid intermediates increased significantly in patients with Zellweger syndrome (ZS) and slightly in patients with neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy and infantile Refsum disease (IRD), reflecting the severity of these diseases. One patient with ZS treated with primary bile acids for 6 months showed slightly decreased serum DHCA levels but significantly increased serum THCA levels. One patient with IRD who underwent living-donor liver transplantation showed a rapid decrease in serum THCA and DHCA levels, which remained undetected for 6 years. In all controls, THCA and DHCA levels were below the detection limit.

CONCLUSION

The analytical method developed in this study is useful for diagnosing various PD and validating bile acid treatment. Additionally, it can help predict the prognosis of patients with PD and support treatment strategies.

Immunomodulation by foods and microbes: Unravelling the molecular tango

Metabolic health and immune function are intimately connected via diet and the microbiota. Nearly 90% of all immune cells in the body are associated with the gastrointestinal tract and these immune cells are continuously exposed to a wide range of microbes and microbial-derived compounds, with important systemic ramifications. Microbial dysbiosis has consistently been observed in patients with atopic dermatitis, food allergy and asthma and the molecular mechanisms linking changes in microbial populations with disease risk and disease endotypes are being intensively investigated. The discovery of novel bacterial metabolites that impact immune function is at the forefront of host-microbe research. Co-evolution of microbial communities within their hosts has resulted in intertwined metabolic pathways that affect physiological and pathological processes. However, recent dietary and lifestyle changes are thought to negatively influence interactions between microbes and their host. This review provides an overview of some of the critical metabolite-receptor interactions that have been recently described, which may underpin the immunomodulatory effects of the microbiota, and are of relevance for allergy, asthma and infectious diseases.

The Role of CYP3A in Health and Disease

CYP3A is an enzyme subfamily in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily and includes isoforms CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, and CYP3A43. CYP3A enzymes are indiscriminate toward substrates and are unique in that these enzymes metabolize both endogenous compounds and diverse xenobiotics (including drugs); almost the only common characteristic of these compounds is lipophilicity and a relatively large molecular weight. CYP3A enzymes are widely expressed in human organs and tissues, and consequences of these enzymes' activities play a major role both in normal regulation of physiological levels of endogenous compounds and in various pathological conditions. This review addresses these aspects of regulation of CYP3A enzymes under physiological conditions and their involvement in the initiation and progression of diseases.

Microbial Metabolites Orchestrate a Distinct Multi-Tiered Regulatory Network in the Intestinal Epithelium That Directs P-Glycoprotein Expression

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a key component of the intestinal epithelium playing a pivotal role in removal of toxins and efflux of endocannabinoids to prevent excessive inflammation and sustain homeostasis. Recent studies revealed butyrate and secondary bile acids, produced by the intestinal microbiome, potentiate the induction of functional P-gp expression. We now aim to determine the molecular mechanism by which this functional microbiome output regulates P-gp. RNA sequencing of intestinal epithelial cells responding to butyrate and secondary bile acids in combination discovered a unique transcriptional program involving multiple pathways that converge on P-gp induction. Using shRNA knockdown and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout cell lines, as well as mouse models, we confirmed the RNA sequencing findings and discovered a role for intestinal HNF4α in P-gp regulation. These findings shed light on a sophisticated signaling network directed by intestinal microbial metabolites that orchestrate P-gp expression and highlight unappreciated connections between multiple pathways linked to colonic health. IMPORTANCE Preventing aberrant inflammation is essential to maintaining homeostasis in the mammalian intestine. Although P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in the intestine is critical for protecting the intestinal epithelium from toxins and damage due to neutrophil infiltration, its regulation in the intestine is poorly understood. Findings presented in our current study have now uncovered a sophisticated and heretofore unappreciated intracellular signaling network or "reactome" directed by intestinal microbial metabolites that orchestrate regulation of P-gp. Not only do we confirm the role of histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibition and nuclear receptor activation in P-gp induction by butyrate and bile acids, but we also discovered new signaling pathways and transcription factors that are uniquely activated in response to the combination of microbial metabolites. Such findings shed new light into a multi-tiered network that maintains P-gp expression in the intestine in the context of the fluctuating commensal microbiome, to sustain a homeostatic tone in the absence of infection or insult.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy induces enteroendocrine cell differentiation of intestinal stem cells through bile acid signaling

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) results in an increase in the number of hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells (EECs) in the intestinal epithelium; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Notably, the beneficial effects of VSG are lost in a mouse model lacking the nuclear bile acid receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR is a nuclear transcription factor that has been shown to regulate intestinal stem cell (ISC) function in cancer models. Therefore, we hypothesized that the VSG-induced increase in EECs is due to changes in intestinal differentiation driven by an increase in bile acid signaling through FXR. To test this, we performed VSG in mice that express EGFP in ISC/progenitor cells and performed RNA-Seq on GFP-positive cells sorted from the intestinal epithelia. We also assessed changes in EEC number (marked by glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1) in mouse intestinal organoids following treatment with bile acids, an FXR agonist, and an FXR antagonist. RNA-Seq of ISCs revealed that bile acid receptors are expressed in ISCs and that VSG explicitly alters expression of several genes that regulate EEC differentiation. Mouse intestinal organoids treated with bile acids and 2 different FXR agonists increased GLP-1-positive cell numbers, and administration of an FXR antagonist blocked these effects. Taken together, these data indicate that VSG drives ISC fate toward EEC differentiation through bile acid signaling.

Comprehensive assessment of NR ligand polypharmacology by a multiplex reporter NR assay

Nuclear receptors (NR) are ligand-modulated transcription factors that regulate multiple cell functions and thus represent excellent drug targets. However, due to a considerable NR structural homology, NR ligands often interact with multiple receptors. Here, we describe a multiplex reporter assay (the FACTORIAL NR) that enables parallel assessment of NR ligand activity across all 48 human NRs. The assay comprises one-hybrid GAL4-NR reporter modules transiently transfected into test cells. To evaluate the reporter activity, we assessed their RNA transcripts. We used a homogeneous RNA detection approach that afforded equal detection efficacy and permitted the multiplex detection in a single-well format. For validation, we examined a panel of selective NR ligands and polypharmacological agonists and antagonists of the progestin, estrogen, PPAR, ERR, and ROR receptors. The assay produced highly reproducible NR activity profiles (r > 0.96) permitting quantitative assessment of individual NR responses. The inferred EC50 values agreed with the published data. The assay showed excellent quality (<Z'>  = 0.73) and low variability (<CV> = 7.2%). Furthermore, the assay permitted distinguishing direct and non-direct NR responses to ligands. Therefore, the FACTORIAL NR enables comprehensive evaluation of NR ligand polypharmacology.

Variation in Expression of Cytochrome P450 3A Isoforms and Toxicological Effects: Endo- and Exogenous Substances as Regulatory Factors and Substrates

The CYP3A subfamily, which includes isoforms CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7 in humans, plays important roles in the metabolism of various endogenous and exogenous substances. Gene and protein expression of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7 show large inter-individual differences, which are caused by many endogenous and exogenous factors. Inter-individual differences can cause negative outcomes, such as adverse drug events and disease development. Therefore, it is important to understand the variations in CYP3A expression caused by endo- and exogenous factors, as well as the variation in the metabolism and kinetics of endo- and exogenous substrates. In this review, we summarize the factors regulating CYP3A expression, such as bile acids, hormones, microRNA, inflammatory cytokines, drugs, environmental chemicals, and dietary factors. In addition, variations in CYP3A expression under pathological conditions, such as coronavirus disease 2019 and liver diseases, are described as examples of the physiological effects of endogenous factors. We also summarize endogenous and exogenous substrates metabolized by CYP3A isoforms, such as cholesterol, bile acids, hormones, arachidonic acid, vitamin D, and drugs. The relationship between the changes in the kinetics of these substrates and the toxicological effects in our bodies are discussed. The usefulness of these substrates and metabolites as endogenous biomarkers for CYP3A activity is also discussed. Notably, we focused on discrimination between CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7 to understand inter-individual differences in CYP3A expression and function.

Gut microbiota regulation of P-glycoprotein in the intestinal epithelium in maintenance of homeostasis

BACKGROUND

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays a critical role in protection of the intestinal epithelia by mediating efflux of drugs/xenobiotics from the intestinal mucosa into the gut lumen. Recent studies bring to light that P-gp also confers a critical link in communication between intestinal mucosal barrier function and the innate immune system. Yet, despite knowledge for over 10 years that P-gp plays a central role in gastrointestinal homeostasis, the precise molecular mechanism that controls its functional expression and regulation remains unclear. Here, we assessed how the intestinal microbiome drives P-gp expression and function.

RESULTS

We have identified a "functional core" microbiome of the intestinal gut community, specifically genera within the Clostridia and Bacilli classes, that is necessary and sufficient for P-gp induction in the intestinal epithelium in mouse models. Metagenomic analysis of this core microbial community revealed that short-chain fatty acid and secondary bile acid production positively associate with P-gp expression. We have further shown these two classes of microbiota-derived metabolites synergistically upregulate P-gp expression and function in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC), we find diminished P-gp expression coupled to the reduction of epithelial-derived anti-inflammatory endocannabinoids and luminal content (e.g., microbes or their metabolites) with a reduced capability to induce P-gp expression.

CONCLUSION

Overall, by means of both in vitro and in vivo studies as well as human subject sample analysis, we identify a mechanistic link between cooperative functional outputs of the complex microbial community and modulation of P-gp, an epithelial component, that functions to suppress overactive inflammation to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Hence, our data support a new cross-talk paradigm in microbiome regulation of mucosal inflammation. Video abstract.

Novel ι-Carrageenan Tetrasaccharide Alleviates Liver Lipid Accumulation via the Bile Acid-FXR-SHP/PXR Pathway to Regulate Cholesterol Conversion and Fatty Acid Metabolism in Insulin-Resistant Mice

ι-Carrageenan tetrasaccharide (ιCTs), a novel oligosaccharide, was hydrolyzed from ι-carrageenan with targeting marine tool-enzyme Cgi82A. Previously, we have found ιCTs exhibited a hypoglycemic effect, whether it could regulate lipid metabolism remains unknown. In this study, the insulin-resistant mice induced by high-fat-high-sucrose diet were orally administrated with ιCTs (30 mg/kg·bw) for 20 weeks. The results showed that the contents of triglyceride and cholesterol in both serum and liver were reduced by ιCTs, and their excretion in feces were promoted, suggesting lipid accumulation was inhibited. Intriguingly, the overall levels of bile acid in serum, liver, and feces were all raised by ιCTs. Given that bile acids are the essential signal factors for regulating lipid metabolism via the farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR), we conducted serum bile acid profile analysis and found that the levels of high-affinity agonists deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid were decreased in the ιCTs group, showing that ιCTs failed to activate FXR. Western blot analysis showed that ιCTs downregulated hepatic FXR and small heterodimer partner (SHP) expression and increased downstream CYP7A1 expression via regulating the FXR-SHP signal to accelerate liver cholesterol conversion. Meanwhile, ιCTs decreased the expression of PXR and SREBP1c and elevated the expression of PPARα and CPT1α via regulating the FXR-PXR-SREBP1c/PPARα signal to inhibit fatty acid synthesis and promote fatty acid β-oxidation. To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time reported that ιCTs alleviated liver lipid accumulation via the bile acid-FXR-SHP/PXR signal to regulate cholesterol conversion and fatty acid metabolism, which highlighted a new idea for ameliorating insulin resistance.

Xanthohumol ameliorates Diet-Induced Liver Dysfunction via Farnesoid X Receptor-Dependent and Independent Signaling

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays a critical role in the regulation of lipid and bile acid (BA) homeostasis. Hepatic FXR loss results in lipid and BA accumulation, and progression from hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of xanthohumol (XN), a hop-derived compound mitigating metabolic syndrome, on liver damage induced by diet and FXR deficiency in mice. Wild-type (WT) and liver-specific FXR-null mice (FXR^Liver−/−) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) containing XN or the vehicle formation followed by histological characterization, lipid, BA and gene profiling. HFD supplemented with XN resulted in amelioration of hepatic steatosis and decreased BA concentrations in FXR^Liver−/− mice, the effect being stronger in male mice. XN induced the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene expression in the liver of FXR^Liver−/− mice. These findings suggest that activation of BA detoxification pathways represents the predominant mechanism for controlling hydrophobic BA concentrations in FXR^Liver−/− mice. Collectively, these data indicated sex-dependent relationship between FXR, lipids and BAs, and suggest that XN ameliorates HFD-induced liver dysfunction via FXR-dependent and independent signaling.

Lipidomic profiling reveals triacylglycerol accumulation in the liver during pregnane X receptor activation-induced hepatomegaly

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is highly expressed in the liver and plays an integral role in the control of xenobiotic and endobiotic metabolism to maintain homeostasis. We previously reported that activation of PXR significantly induced liver enlargement. But the lipid profiling during PXR-induced hepatomegaly remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the effect of PXR activation on hepatic lipid homeostasis by lipidomics analysis. Mice were intraperitoneally administered with the typical mPXR agonist, pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN, 100 mg/kg/d), for 5 days. Liver and serum were collected for further analysis. The results confirmed that PXR activation can significantly induce liver enlargement. An obvious hepatic lipid accumulation was observed in PCN-treated mice, as determined by H&E and Oil Red O staining. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap HRMS)-based lipidomics was performed to characterize the change in lipid species. A total of 20 potential lipid biomarkers were significantly perturbed. The most significant change was found in the triacylglycerol (TG), which constituted with the lower number of carbon atoms and double bonds. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels showed that PCN-induced PXR activation significantly regulated the expression of genes involved in the uptake, synthesis and metabolism of TG, which was consistent with increased TG levels. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that lipids such as TG were significantly accumulated during PXR-induced hepatomegaly.

The Gut Microbiota: How Does It Influence the Development and Progression of Liver Diseases

The gut–liver axis plays important roles in both the maintenance of a healthy liver and the pathogenesis of liver diseases, where the gut microbiota acts as a major determinant of this relationship. Gut bacteria-derived metabolites and cellular components are key molecules that affect the function of the liver and modulate the pathology of liver diseases. Accumulating evidence showed that gut microbiota produces a myriad of molecules, including lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, peptidoglycan, and DNA, as well as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, trimethylamine, and indole derivatives. The translocation of these components to the liver exerts beneficial or pathogenic effects by interacting with liver immune cells. This is a bidirectional relationship. Therefore, the existence of crosstalk between the gut and liver and its implications on host health and diseases are essential for the etiology and treatment of diseases. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the pathogenesis of liver diseases, but still, the mechanisms behind the pathogenic role of gut-derived components on liver pathogenesis remain elusive and not understandable. This review discusses the current progress on the gut microbiota and its components in terms of the progression of liver diseases, and in turn, how liver diseases indirectly affect the intestinal function and induce intestinal inflammation. Moreover, this paper highlights the current therapeutic and preventive strategies used to restore the gut microbiota composition and improve host health.

Bile Acids as a New Type of Steroid Hormones Regulating Nonspecific Energy Expenditure of the Body (Review)

The review is devoted to the systematization, classification, and generalization of the results of modern scientific research on the role of bile acids as a new class of steroid hormones. The paper presents the evidence for bile acid participation in the regulation of the body energy metabolism, body weight control, as well as the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. Particular attention is paid to the role of bile acids in the control of nonspecific energy expenditure of the body. The applied aspects of using the novel data about the membrane and intracellular receptors responsible for the development of hormonal regulatory effects of bile acids are analyzed. According to the authors, the modern data on the role of bile acids in the regulation of body functions allow a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of body weight disorders and associated cardiovascular diseases. The review demonstrates promising directions in the search for specific methods of prevention and correction of these pathological conditions.

12α-Hydroxylated bile acid induces hepatic steatosis with dysbiosis in rats

There is an increasing need to explore the mechanism of the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Steroid metabolism is closely linked to hepatic steatosis and steroids are excreted as bile acids (BAs). Here, we demonstrated that feeding WKAH/HkmSlc inbred rats a diet supplemented with cholic acid (CA) at 0.5 g/kg for 13 weeks induced simple steatosis without obesity. Liver triglyceride and cholesterol levels were increased accompanied by mild elevation of aminotransferase activities. There were no signs of inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, or fibrosis. CA supplementation increased levels of CA and taurocholic acid (TCA) in enterohepatic circulation and deoxycholic acid (DCA) levels in cecum with an increased ratio of 12α-hydroxylated BAs to non-12α-hydroxylated BAs. Analyses of hepatic gene expression revealed no apparent feedback control of BA and cholesterol biosynthesis. CA feeding induced dysbiosis in cecal microbiota with enrichment of DCA producers, which underlines the increased cecal DCA levels. The mechanism of steatosis was increased expression of Srebp1 (positive regulator of liver lipogenesis) through activation of the liver X receptor by increased oxysterols in the CA-fed rats, especially 4β-hydroxycholesterol (4βOH) formed by upregulated expression of hepatic Cyp3a2, responsible for 4βOH formation. Multiple regression analyses identified portal TCA and cecal DCA as positive predictors for liver 4βOH levels. The possible mechanisms linking these predictors and upregulated expression of Cyp3a2 are discussed. Overall, our observations highlight the role of 12α-hydroxylated BAs in triggering liver lipogenesis and allow us to explore the mechanisms of hepatic steatosis onset, focusing on cholesterol and BA metabolism.

3β-Isoobeticholic acid efficiently activates the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) due to its epimerization to 3α-epimer by hepatic metabolism

Bile acids (BAs) are important signaling molecules acting via the farnesoid X nuclear receptor (FXR) and the membrane G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1). Besides deconjugation of BAs, the oxidoreductive enzymes of colonic bacteria and hepatocytes enable the conversion of BAs into their epimers or dehydrogenated forms. Obeticholic acid (OCA) is the first-in-class BA-derived FXR agonist approved for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis. Herein, a library of OCA derivatives, including 7-keto, 6-ethylidene derivatives and 3β-epimers, was synthetized and investigated in terms of interactions with FXR and GPBAR1 in transaction assays and evaluated for FXR target genes expression in human hepatocytes and C57BL/6 mice. The derivatives were further subjected to cell-free analysis employing in silico molecular docking and a TR-FRET assay. The conversion of the 3βhydroxy epimer and its pharmacokinetics in mice were studied using LC-MS. We found that only the 3β-hydroxy epimer of OCA (3β-isoOCA) possesses significant activity to FXR in hepatic cells and mice. However, in a cell-free assay, 3β-isoOCA had about 9-times lower affinity to FXR than did OCA. We observed that 3β-isoOCA readily epimerizes to OCA in hepatocytes and murine liver. This conversion was significantly inhibited by the hydroxy-Δ⁵-steroid dehydrogenase inhibitor trilostane. In addition, we found that 3,7-dehydroobeticholic acid is a potent GPBAR1 agonist. We conclude that 3β-isoOCA significantly activates FXR due to its epimerization to the more active OCA by hepatic metabolism. Other modifications as well as epimerization on the C3/C7 positions and the introduction of 6-ethylidene in the CDCA scaffold abrogate FXR agonism and alleviate GPBAR1 activation.

The effect of graphene oxide on signalling of xenobiotic receptors involved in biotransformation

Graphene oxide (GO) is an engineered nanomaterial which was demonstrated to have outstanding capacity for adsorption of organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the ligands and activators of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Due to the partially overlapping ligand capacity of AhR and pregnane X receptor (PXR), we tested the impact of GO particles on their signalling. While reporter gene assay revealed potentiating effect of GO on ligand-activated AhR-dependent luciferase activity, there was no effect for PXR. However, inducible target genes for AhR (CYP1A1) or PXR (ABCB1) were decreased at mRNA as well as protein levels by the presence of GO in HepG2 (for AhR), LS180 (for PXR) or primary human hepatocytes (both receptors). Moreover, the presence of GO diminished PXR and AhR protein levels in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. This was partially reversed by proteasome inhibitor MG132 for AhR but not for PXR. In conclusion, GO decreases ligand-stimulated activities of AhR and PXR in human cells.

Nuclear receptors are the major targets of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that are suspected to cause adverse effects in the endocrine system mainly by acting through their interaction with nuclear receptors such as the estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ), the androgen receptor (AR), the pregnan X receptor (PXR), the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors α and γ (PPARα, PPARγ) and the thyroid receptors α and β (TRα and TRβ). More recently, the retinoid X receptors (RXRα, RXRβ and RXRγ), the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and the estrogen related receptor γ (ERRγ) have also been identified as targets of EDCs. Finally, nuclear receptors still poorly studied for their interaction with environmental ligands such as the progesterone receptor (PR), the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), the retinoic acid receptors (RAR α, RARβ and RARγ), the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the liver X receptors α and β (LXRα and LXβ) as well are suspected targets of EDCs. Humans are generally exposed to low doses of pollutants, therefore the aim of current research is to identify the targets of EDCs at environmental concentrations. In this review, we analyze recent works referring that nuclear receptors are targets of EDCs and we highlight which EDCs are able to act at low concentrations.

High soluble endoglin levels regulate cholesterol homeostasis and bile acids turnover in the liver of transgenic mice

AIMS

Increased plasma soluble endoglin concentrations (sEng) are frequently detected in metabolic disorders accompanied with hypercholesterolemia in serum, but effect of sEng on the cholesterol biochemistry is unknown. Cholesterol and bile acids (BA) are important products of liver metabolism with numerous functions within the organism. Turnover of these substances requires precise regulation due to potential toxicities during their cumulation. In this study, we hypothesized that high sEng levels affect cholesterol homeostasis and BA turnover in mice liver.

MAIN METHODS

Nine-month-old transgenic male mice overexpressing human sEng and wild-type mice underwent plasma, bile, stool, and organ samples analysis by analytical, qRT-PCT and Western blot methods.

KEY FINDINGS

sEng mice demonstrated decreased plasma total and LDL cholesterol concentrations due to upregulation of hepatic Sr-b1 and Ldlr receptors, increased liver cholesterol content, and increased Abcg8-mediated cholesterol efflux into bile. sEng also increased conversion of cholesterol into bile acids (BA) via upregulation of Cyp7a1 and increased Mdr1 expression. Plasma concentrations of BA were increased in sEng mice due to their enhanced reabsorption via ileum. Increased hepatic disposition of BA led to their increased biliary excretion coupled with choleretic activity.

SIGNIFICANCE

For the first time, we have shown that high sEng plasma levels affect cholesterol and BA homeostasis on the basis of complex liver and intestinal effects. The significance of these findings for pathophysiology of diseases associated with increased sEng concentrations remains to be elucidated in prospective studies.

The nuclear receptors PXR and LXR are regulators of the scaffold protein PDZK1

PDZK1 (NHERF3) interacts with membrane proteins whereby modulating their spatial arrangement, membrane stability, and function. One of the membrane proteins shown to be stabilized by interaction with PDZK1 is the HDL-receptor SR-BI (SCARB1). Testing the influence of TO 901317, a known activator of liver X receptor alpha (LXRα, NR1H3) which is a central regulator of the lipid homeostasis, Grefhorst et al. reported in 2012 that administration of TO 901317 did not affect PDZK1 expression and reduced the amount of SR-BI protein in mouse liver. Considering that TO 901317 also activates the xenosensor pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2), it was aim of this study to further investigate the influence of LXRα and PXR activation on transcription of PDZK1. First, we tested the transactivation of PDZK1 by LXRα or PXR in cell-based reporter gene assays comparing the effect of prototypical ligands to that of TO 901317. Ligand mediated activation of LXRα increased, while that of PXR lowered luciferase activity. Further, we located the most likely binding site for LXRα and PXR on the PDZK1 promoter between -85 bp and -54 bp. The transcriptional regulation by LXRα was further supported showing enhanced mRNA expression of PDZK1 in HepG2 cells treated with the selective LXRα-agonist GW3965, while treatment with TO 901317 reduced the protein amount of PDZK1. Taken together, we provide evidence that both LXRα and PXR are transcriptional regulators of PDZK1 supporting the previous notion that the scaffold protein is part of cholesterol homeostasis and drug metabolism.

Pharmacological Applications of Bile Acids and Their Derivatives in the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

Apart from well-known functions of bile acids in digestion and solubilization of lipophilic nutrients and drugs in the small intestine, the emerging evidence from the past two decades identified the role of bile acids as signaling, endocrine molecules that regulate the glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism through complex and intertwined pathways that are largely mediated by activation of nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and cell surface G protein-coupled receptor 1, TGR5 (also known as GPBAR1). Interactions of bile acids with the gut microbiota that result in the altered composition of circulating and intestinal bile acids pool, gut microbiota composition and modified signaling pathways, are further extending the complexity of biological functions of these steroid derivatives. Thus, bile acids signaling pathways have become attractive targets for the treatment of various metabolic diseases and metabolic syndrome opening the new potential avenue in their treatment. In addition, there is a significant effort to unveil some specific properties of bile acids relevant to their intrinsic potency and selectivity for particular receptors and to design novel modulators of these receptors with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. This resulted in synthesis of few semi-synthetic bile acids derivatives such as 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid (obeticholic acid, OCA), norursodeoxycholic acid (norUDCA), and 12-monoketocholic acid (12-MKC) that are proven to have positive effect in metabolic and hepato-biliary disorders. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge related to bile acids implications in glucose, lipid and energy metabolism, as well as a potential application of bile acids in metabolic syndrome treatment with future perspectives.

Obesogens in the aquatic environment: an evolutionary and toxicological perspective

The rise of obesity in humans is a major health concern of our times, affecting an increasing proportion of the population worldwide. It is now evident that this phenomenon is not only associated with the lack of exercise and a balanced diet, but also due to environmental factors, such as exposure to environmental chemicals that interfere with lipid homeostasis. These chemicals, also known as obesogens, are present in a wide range of products of our daily life, such as cosmetics, paints, plastics, food cans and pesticide-treated food, among others. A growing body of evidences indicates that their action is not limited to mammals. Obesogens also end up in the aquatic environment, potentially affecting its ecosystems. In fact, reports show that some environmental chemicals are able to alter lipid homeostasis, impacting weight, lipid profile, signaling pathways and/or protein activity, of several taxa of aquatic animals. Such perturbations may give rise to physiological disorders and disease. Although largely unexplored from a comparative perspective, the key molecular components implicated in lipid homeostasis have likely appeared early in animal evolution. Therefore, it is not surprising that the obesogen effects are found in other animal groups beyond mammals. Collectively, data indicates that suspected obesogens impact lipid metabolism across phyla that have diverged over 600 million years ago. Thus, a consistent link between environmental chemical exposure and the obesity epidemic has emerged. This review aims to summarize the available information on the effects of putative obesogens in aquatic organisms, considering the similarities and differences of lipid homeostasis pathways among metazoans, thus contributing to a better understanding of the etiology of obesity in human populations. Finally, we identify the knowledge gaps in this field and we set future research priorities.

Functions of pregnane X receptor in self-detoxification

Pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a crucial regulator of nutrient metabolism and metabolic detoxification such as metabolic syndrome, xenobiotic metabolism, inflammatory responses, glucose, cholesterol and lipid metabolism, and endocrine homeostasis. Notably, much experimental and clinical evidence show that PXR senses xenobiotics and triggers the detoxification response to prevent diseases such as diabetes, obesity, intestinal inflammatory diseases and liver fibrosis. In this review we summarize recent advances on remarkable metabolic and regulatory versatility of PXR, and we emphasizes its role and potential implication as an effective modulator of self-detoxification in animals and humans.