LIVER DYSFUNCTION AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

Lycopene Prevents DEHP-Induced Liver Lipid Metabolism Disorder by Inhibiting the HIF-1α-Induced PPARα/PPARγ/FXR/LXR System

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widespread pollutant that badly affects animals and human health. Lycopene (LYC) has been used as a dietary supplement that has effective antioxidant and antiobesity functions. The present goal was to understand the molecular mechanisms of LYC preventing DEHP-induced lipid metabolism of the liver. The mice were intragastrically administered with LYC (5 mg/kg) and/or DEHP (500 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg). Here, we found that LYC attenuated DEHP-caused hepatic histopathological lesions including steatosis. Hematological and biochemical analyses revealed that LYC ameliorated DEHP-caused liver function and lipid metabolism disorders. DEHP caused lipid metabolism disorders via activating the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) signal transducer and Farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/liver X receptor (LXR) signaling pathway. As a major regulator of lipid metabolism, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) system was elevated with increased fatty degeneration under DEHP exposure. However, LYC could decrease the levels of HIF-1α/PPARα/PPARγ/FXR/LXR signaling pathway-related factors. Our research indicated that LYC could prevent DEHP-induced lipid metabolism disorders via inhibiting the HIF-1α-mediated PPARα/PPARγ/FXR/LXR system. This study may provide a possible molecular mechanism for fatty liver induced by DEHP.

Schizophrenia and liver dysfunction

It is suggested that a non-hepatocellular liver dysfunction, caused by the presence of a congenital or acquired portal-systemic shunt, constitutes a major predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In addition to the common occurrence of schizophrenic reactions observed in liver disease, this suggestion is supported by autoptic findings in addition to the fact that a considerable number of abnormal biochemical and biological phenomena are shared by patients suffering from schizophrenia and portal-systemic shunting. The frequency of abnormal portal-systemic shunts in schizophrenia is unknown. Recent advances in non-invasive Doppler-sonographic techniques should enable an elucidation of this question.

E. coli antibodies in schizophrenia

The present investigation demonstrates relatively high antibody titres against an E. coli O-antigen in sera from somatically healthy male schizophrenic patients. This observation supports the suggestion that abnormal portasystemic collaterals are relevant to the manifestation of schizophrenia.