Mice in the early stage of liver steatosis caused by a high fat diet are resistant to thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress

Comparative Analysis of the Total Proteome in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Identification of Potential Biomarkers

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a hepatic condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver with advanced stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), potentially leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Currently, the identification and classification of NASH require invasive liver biopsy, which has certain limitations. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics can detect crucial proteins and pathways implicated in NASH development and progression. We collected the liver and serum samples from choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet fed NASH C57BL/6J mice and human serum samples to examine proteomic alterations and identify early biomarkers for NASH diagnosis. In-depth targeted multiple reaction monitoring scanning and immunoblotting assays were used to verify the biomarker candidates from mouse liver and serum samples, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to analyze human serum samples. The multiple reaction monitoring analysis of NASH liver revealed 50 proteins with altered expression (21 upregulated and 29 downregulated) that are involved in biological processes such as detoxification, fibrosis, inflammation, and fatty acid metabolism. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified impaired protein synthesis, cellular stress and defense, cellular processes and communication, and metabolism in NASH mouse liver. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed that the expression of proteins associated with fatty acid metabolism (Aldo B and Fasn) and urea cycle (Arg1, Cps1, and Otc) was altered in the mouse liver and serum. Further analysis on human serum samples using ELISA confirmed the increased expression of multiple proteins, including Aldo B, Asl, and Lgals3, demonstrating values of 0.917, 0.979, and 0.965 of area under the curve in NASH diagnosis. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of NASH and possible diagnostic biomarkers for early detection.

A standardized pomegranate fruit extract ameliorates thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats via AGE-RAGE-ROS signaling

This work aimed to investigate a possible mechanism that may mediate the hepatoprotective effects of pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) against thioacetamide (THIO)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 each): control; PFE (150 mg/kg/day, orally); THIO (200 mg/kg, i.p, 3 times a week); and THIO and PFE-treated groups. Oral PFE treatment decreased liver/body weight ratio by 12.4%, diminished serum function levels of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, and total bilirubin, increased serum albumin, boosted hepatic GSH (by 35.6%) and SOD (by 17.5%), and significantly reduced hepatic levels of ROS, MDA, 4-HNE, AGEs, and RAGE in THIO-fibrotic rats relative to untreated THIO group. Moreover, PFE administration downregulated the hepatic levels of profibrotic TGF-β1 (by 23.0%, P < 0.001) and TIMP-1 (by 41.5%, P < 0.001), attenuated α-SMA protein expression, decreased serum HA levels (by 41.3%), and reduced the hepatic levels of the fibrosis markers hydroxyproline (by 26.0%, P < 0.001), collagen type IV (by 44.3%, P < 0.001) and laminin (by 43.4%, P < 0.001) compared to the untreated THIO group. The histopathological examination has corroborated these findings, where PFE decreased hepatic nodule incidence, attenuated portal necroinflammation and reduced extent of fibrosis. These findings may suggest that oral PFE administration could slow the progression of hepatic fibrogenesis via reducing hepatic levels of AGEs, RAGE, ROS, TGF-β1, and TIMP-1.

Mitochondria and the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Alcoholic (ASH) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are advanced stages of fatty liver disease and two of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease. ASH and NASH are associated with significant risk of further progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, and a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Despite extensive research and progress in the last decades to elucidate the mechanisms of the development of ASH and NASH, the pathogenesis of both diseases is still poorly understood. Mitochondrial damage and activation of inflammasome complexes have a role in inducing and sustaining liver damage. Mitochondrial dysfunction produces inflammatory factors that activate the inflammasome complexes. NLRP3 inflammasome (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3) is a multiprotein complex that activates caspase 1 and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), and contributes to inflammatory pyroptotic cell death. The present review, which is part of the issue "Mitochondria in Liver Pathobiology", provides an overview of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and NLRP3 activation in ASH and NASH.

Mitochondria, oxidative stress and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A complex relationship

According to the 'multiple-hit' hypothesis, several factors can act simultaneously in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. Increased nitro-oxidative (nitroso-oxidative) stress may be considered one of the main contributors involved in the development and risk of NAFLD progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, it has been repeatedly postulated that mitochondrial abnormalities are closely related to the development and progression of liver steatosis and NAFLD pathogenesis. However, it is difficult to determine with certainty whether mitochondrial dysfunction or oxidative stress are primary events or a simple consequence of NAFLD development. On the one hand, increasing lipid accumulation in hepatocytes could cause a wide range of effects from mild to severe mitochondrial damage with a negative impact on cell fate. This can start the cascade of events, including an increase of cellular reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that promotes disease progression from simple steatosis to more severe NAFLD stages. On the other hand, progressing mitochondrial bioenergetic catastrophe and oxidative stress manifestation could be considered accompanying events in the vast spectrum of abnormalities observed during the transition from NAFL to NASH and cirrhosis. This review updates our current understanding of NAFLD pathogenesis and clarifies whether mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS/RNS are culprits or bystanders of NAFLD progression.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of mitochondrial fission factor

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles continuously undergoing fission and fusion, referred to as mitochondrial dynamics, to adapt to nutritional demands. Evidence suggests that impaired mitochondrial dynamics leads to metabolic abnormalities such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) phenotypes. However, how mitochondrial dynamics are involved in the development of NASH is poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the role of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in the development of NASH.

METHODS

We created mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of MFF (MffLiKO). MffLiKO mice fed normal chow diet (NCD) or high-fat diet (HFD) were evaluated for metabolic variables and their livers were examined by histological analysis. To elucidate the mechanism of development of NASH, we examined the expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and lipid metabolism, and the secretion of triacylglycerol (TG) using the liver and primary hepatocytes isolated from MffLiKO and control mice.

RESULTS

MffLiKO mice showed aberrant mitochondrial morphologies with no obvious NASH phenotypes during NCD, while they developed full-blown NASH phenotypes in response to HFD. Expression of genes related to ER stress was markedly upregulated in the liver from MffLiKO mice. In addition, expression of genes related to hepatic TG secretion was downregulated, with reduced hepatic TG secretion in MffLiKO mice in vivo and in primary cultures of MFF-deficient hepatocytes in vitro. Furthermore, thapsigargin-induced ER stress suppressed TG secretion in primary hepatocytes isolated from control mice.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We demonstrated that ablation of MFF in liver provoked ER stress and reduced hepatic TG secretion in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, MffLiKO mice were more susceptible to HFD-induced NASH phenotype than control mice, partly because of ER stress-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes and suppression of TG secretion from hepatocytes. This study provides evidence for the role of mitochondrial fission in the development of NASH.

Significance of Simple Steatosis: An Update on the Clinical and Molecular Evidence

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined clinicopathologically by the accumulation of lipids in >5% of hepatocytes and the exclusion of secondary causes of fat accumulation. NAFLD encompasses a wide spectrum of liver damage, extending from simple steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)—the latter is characterized by inflammation and hepatocyte ballooning degeneration, in addition to the steatosis, with or without fibrosis. NAFLD is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries and affects around one quarter of the general population. It is a multisystem disorder, which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as liver- and cardiovascular-related mortality. Although earlier studies had suggested that NAFL is benign (i.e., non-progressive), cumulative evidence challenges this dogma, and recent data suggest that nearly 25% of those with NAFL may develop fibrosis. Importantly, NAFLD patients are more susceptible to the toxic effects of alcohol, drugs, and other insults to the liver. This is likely due to the functional impairment of steatotic hepatocytes, which is virtually undetectable by current clinical tests. This review provides an overview of the current evidence on the clinical significance of NAFL and discusses the molecular basis for NAFL development and progression.

Research status and prgoress of nonalcoholic fatty pancreatic disease

Nonalcoholic fatty pancreatic disease (NAFPD) is a disease characterized by an increase in pancreatic fat accumulation. It is a component of the metabolic syndrome and often coexists with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Once the diagnosis is established, it is closely related to acute and chronic pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, pancreatic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer. In recent years, it has been confirmed that NAFPD is closely related to cardiovascular disease, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. The prevalence of NAFPD ranges between 11% and 69%, and increases with age. It is worth noting that the prevalence in obese children is twice as high as that in non-obese children. The high prevalence rate and complexity of the disease have aroused people's high attention. Therefore, to improve the understanding of NAFPD, fully understand the clinical significance of NAFPD, and further study its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment require the collaboration and joint efforts of multiple disciplines, including hepatopathy, gastroenterology, endocrine metabolism, cardiovascular disease, imaging, pathology, and others. In this paper, we review the clinical significance, pathogenesis, and imaging diagnosis of NAFPD and propose our personal understanding of the key points in future research.

Cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) decrease visceral fat, yet augment glucose in dyslipidemic rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of roasted Cashew nuts consumption on biochemical and murinometric parameters in dyslipidemic rats receiving lipid supplementation. Young male rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 10). The Control group (CONT) was treated with water, the Dyslipidemic group (DL) received a high fat content emulsion throughout the experiment, and the Dyslipidemic Cashew Nuts group (DLCN) received the same high fat content emulsion throughout the experiment, yet was treated with Cashew nuts. Body parameters, biochemical, hepatic and fecal fatty acid profiles were all evaluated. The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in the DL and DLCN groups as compared to the control group. DLCN and CONT presented no difference in HDL levels. DLCN presented higher glycemia levels than the other groups. There was reduction of body fat in DLCN as compared to other groups, but with higher accumulations of liver fat. DLCN presented a reduction in saturated hepatic fatty acids of 20.8%, and an increase of 177% in relation to CONT; there was also a 21% in increase DL for ω9 fatty acids in comparison to CONT. As for fecal fatty acids, there was a lower concentration of polysaturates in DLCN as compared to the other groups. The data showed that the consumption of Cashew nuts by the dyslipidemic animals treated with a hyperlipidic diet induced greater accumulations of liver fat and worsened glycemic levels, despite having reduced visceral fats and increased fecal fat excretion.

Chronic inflammation is a key to inducing liver injury in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) fed with high-fat diet

The aim of this article is to investigate the mechanism of lipotoxicity induced by high-fat diets (HFD) in Megalobrama amblycephala. In the present study, fish (average initial weight 40.0 ± 0.35 g) were fed with two fat levels (6% and 11%) diets with four replicates for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, fish were challenged by thioacetamide (TAA) and survival rate was recorded for the next 96 h. The result showed that long-term HFD feeding induced a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) in plasma. In addition, liver histopathological analysis showed an increased dilation of the blood vessels, erythrocytes outside of the blood vessels and vacuolization in fish fed with high-fat diet. After TAA challenge, compared with group fed with normal-fat diets (NFD), fish fed with HFD showed a significantly (P < 0.05) low survival rate. After feeding Megalobrama amblycephala with HFD for 60 days, the protein content and gene expression of pro-inflammatory factors were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). The protein and gene relative expressions of a Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and CD68 were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while antioxidant-related enzyme activities were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the liver of fish fed with HFD. In addition, HFD feeding also induced genotoxicity. Comet assay showed a significantly (P < 0.05) elevated DNA damage in blunt snout bream fed with HFD. Compared with normal-fat diets (NFD) group, the protein expression of γH2AX and gene expressions involved in cell cycle arrest were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in fish fed with HFD. Data in this research showed that lipotoxicity induced by HFD was likely mediated by chronic inflammation regulating macrophage recruitment, apoptosis and DNA damage. The study was valuable to understand the mechanism by which liver injury is induced in fish fed with HFD.

Magma Seawater Inhibits Hepatic Lipid Accumulation through Suppression of Lipogenic Enzymes Regulated by SREBPs in Thioacetamide-Injected Rats

Thioacetamide (TAA) is known to induce lipid accumulation in the liver. In the present study, we investigated the effects of magma seawater (MS) rich in minerals on hepatic lipid metabolism by evaluating lipogenic enzymes regulated by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs). Rats (n = 10 per group) were intraperitoneally injected with TAA (200 mg/kg bw) thrice a week for seven weeks in combination with a respective experimental diet. Rats in the TAA-treated group received either a chow diet (Control group) or a chow diet containing MS (TMS group, 2.05%) or silymarin (TSM group, 0.05%). Rats in the normal group were injected with PBS as a vehicle and received a chow diet. Rats in the TMS group showed significantly lower hepatic lipid concentrations than rats in the control group (p < 0.05). Hepatic protein expression levels of fatty acid synthase, SREBP-1, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, and SREBP-2 were significantly downregulated in the TMS group, whereas carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 levels were upregulated (p < 0.05). Hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were lower in the TMS group, whereas protein levels of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were elevated (p < 0.05). The effects of MS were comparable to those of silymarin. Our results evidently showed that MS inhibits hepatic lipid accumulation by suppressing lipid synthesis, accompanied by lipid oxidation and elevation of antioxidative status.

Flavonoids Regulate Lipid Droplets Biogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Lipid droplets (LDs), cytosolic fat storage organelles, are emerging as major regulators of lipid metabolism, trafficking, and signaling in various cells and tissues. LDs are altered in cardiovascular and neuronal disorders, inflammation, obesity, and cancer. Flavonoids comprise different classes of molecules, characterized by a well-known antioxidant activity and a beneficial effect in several diseases. However, the cellular mechanism by which different classes of flavonoids improve health is poorly understood, in particular as far as LDs biogenesis is concerned. Here we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to investigate the effects of a selected group of flavonoids on larval tissues by examining LDs biogenesis. In our study, fruit flies were grown in xanthohumol-, isoquercetin-, and genistein-enriched food and larval tissues were analyzed using a LD marker. Total mRNA expression of two main enzymes (minotaur and midway) responsible for triacylglycerides synthesis was evaluated after treatments. Among the flavonoids analyzed, xanthohumol and isoquercetin resulted to be potent regulators of LDs biogenesis in a tissue-specific manner, inducing fat storage decrease in fat bodies and accumulation of LDs in nerves. Since LDs have been suggested to play a protective role against intracellular stress in nonadipocyte cells, our data support the hypothesis that some phytochemicals could act as strong modulators of LDs biogenesis in vivo. The knowledge of how different flavonoids act on lipid metabolism in different tissues can help to manage the use of phytochemicals with the aim of selectively ameliorating specific neuronal and metabolic diseases’ manifestations.

Mutual interaction between oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of diseases specifically focusing on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced during normal physiologic processes with the consumption of oxygen. While ROS play signaling roles, when they are produced in excess beyond normal antioxidative capacity this can cause pathogenic damage to cells. The majority of such oxidation occurs in polyunsaturated fatty acids and sulfhydryl group in proteins, resulting in lipid peroxidation and protein misfolding, respectively. The accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is enhanced under conditions of oxidative stress and results in ER stress, which, together, leads to the malfunction of cellular homeostasis. Multiple types of defensive machinery are activated in unfolded protein response under ER stress to resolve this unfavorable situation. ER stress triggers the malfunction of protein secretion and is associated with a variety of pathogenic conditions including defective insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and accelerated lipid droplet formation in hepatocytes. Herein we use nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as an illustration of such pathological liver conditions that result from ER stress in association with oxidative stress. Protecting the ER by eliminating excessive ROS via the administration of antioxidants or by enhancing lipid-metabolizing capacity via the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors represent promising therapeutics for NAFLD.

Unveiling systemic organ disorders associated with impaired lipid catabolism in fasted SOD1-deficient mice

Oxidative stress triggers the formation of lipid droplets in the liver by stimulating lipogenesis and simultaneously suppresses lipoprotein secretion under hypernutritional conditions. Herein we report on the observation of systemic organ failure that is associated with lipid droplet accumulation in fasting, SOD1-knockout (KO) mice. Upon a three-day fasting period, the KO mice were observed to be vulnerable, could not be rescued by refeeding and had largely died, while wild-type mice were totally recovered. Visceral fat was rapidly consumed during fasting, which resulted in energy shortage and increased fatality in the KO mice. Lipid droplets had accumulated and continued to remain in KO mouse organs that routinely catalyze fatty acids via β-oxidation, even though the levels of free fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body, in blood plasma were less in KO mice compared to WT mice during the fasting period. The fasting-triggered organ failure in the KO mice was effectively mitigated by feeding a high calorie-diet for 2 weeks prior to fasting, even though the mice had an excessive accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. These collective data suggest that the lipid-catabolizing system is the sensitive target of oxidative stress triggered by fasting conditions in the KO mice.

Combination effects of airborne particulate matter exposure and high-fat diet on hepatic fibrosis through regulating the ROS-endoplasmic reticulum stress-TGFβ/SMADs axis in mice

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis, characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, is associated with toxic substance exposure, chronic infections, mechanical injury, airborne fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure and metabolic disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of long-term, real-world airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure on hepatic fibrosis and further explored whether combination treatment of PM exposure and high-fat diet (HFD) aggravate the adverse effects in mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice fed with either a standard chow diet (STD) or an HFD were treated with either filtered air (FA) or PM for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters, histological examination, gene expression analysis, and Western blot analysis were utilized to measure the effect and mechanism of PM exposure on hepatic fibrosis and to further analyze the synergistic effect of HFD. Subchronic airborne PM exposure induces hepatic fibrosis in mice, and combination treatment of PM exposure and HFD accelerate the adverse effect. Meanwhile, subchronic exposure to real-world PM increased the level of hepatic ROS, and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (GRP78 and CHOP), p-SMAD2 and p-SMAD3, as well as up-regulated TGFβ and collagen 1 in liver tissues. Furthermore, PM exposure and HFD displayed the synergistic effects on these changes in liver.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that airborne PM exposure aggravates HFD -induced hepatic fibrosis. The ROS-ER stress-TGFβ/SMADs regulatory axis mediates the effects of airborne PM exposure on accelerating hepatic fibrosis.

Protective effect of dioscin against thioacetamide-induced acute liver injury via FXR/AMPK signaling pathway in vivo

Our previous works showed that dioscin, a natural product, could protect liver from acute liver damages induced by dimethylnitrosamine, ethanol, carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen. However, the effect of dioscin on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute liver injury still remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dioscin confers a protective effect against TAA-induced acute liver injury in rats and mice. The results showed that dioscin decreased the serum levels of ALT, AST, and rehabilitated histopathological changes compared with the model groups. In addition, dioscin obviously increased the levels of GSH, GSH-Px, SOD, and significantly reduced MDA levels compared with the model groups. Mechanistic study showed that dioscin significantly up-regulated the expression levels of FXR, p-AMPKα, and then increased the expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, GCLM and GST. Furthermore, dioscin obviously down-regulated the expression levels of NF-κB (p65), ICAM-1, HMGB1, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Taken together, dioscin showed protective effect against TAA-induced acute liver injuries in rats and mice and the effects might be obtained through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via FXR/AMPK signal pathway. These findings provided a new insight on the role of doscin in the treatment of acute liver injury.

Mitochondria in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

NAFLD is a common disease in Western society and ranges from steatosis to steatohepatitis and to end-stage liver disease. The molecular mechanisms that cause the progression of steatosis to severe liver damage are not fully understood. One suggested mechanism involves the oxidation of biomolecules by mitochondrial ROS which initiates a vicious cycle of exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction and increased hepatocellular oxidative damage. This may ultimately pave the way for hepatic inflammation and liver failure. This review updates our current understanding of mitochondria-derived oxidative stress in the progression of NAFLD.