INFLUENCE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND OBESITY IN PATIENTS WITH NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS

Maternal protein restriction compromises hepatic phenotype and antioxidant defense in postweaning male rats, while females exhibit resilience

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concept postulates that maternal malnutrition can program offspring for dysfunction of multiple systems, including the liver. Maternal Protein Restriction (MPR) is a maternal malnutrition model that dysregulates catabolic hormones early in life, with long-term consequences on offspring such as hypertension and reproductive system cancers. Furthermore, studies evaluating sex-specific differences are scarce, especially considering the consequences of MPR on early life. Here, we investigated the impacts of MPR on hepatic phenotypic and molecular aspects of male and female rats at postnatal day (PND)21. The rats were divided into two groups: CTR, from dams that consumed a normal-protein diet (17 % protein), or GLLP, from dams that consumed a low-protein diet (6 % protein) throughout gestation and lactation. Our results demonstrated that MPR leads to an increase in collagen fibers, glycogen, and peroxiredoxin 1, in addition to a decrease in reticular fibers, mast cells, GSH, and MDA in the liver of male rats. In females, a reduction of reticular fibers and protein expression of hepatic peroxiredoxin 4 was observed. By contrasting these results with in silico analyses, we suggest that the main altered mechanisms in males are associated with oxidative stress, glycogen metabolism, and inflammatory responses. In females, a subtle dysregulation of antioxidant activity within the extracellular matrix was noted. Therefore, this work demonstrates sex-specific hepatic differences in post-weaning rats exposed to MPR, highlighting possible maternal modulations that lead males to be more affected, which may generate long-term effects on hepatic and systemic health.

Oxidative Stress and Annexin A2 Differential Expression in Free Fatty Acids-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in HepG2 Cells

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising global burden, affecting one in four adults. Despite the increasing prevalence of NAFLD, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and effective therapeutic strategies are still limited. In vitro models of NAFLD are critical to understanding the pathogenesis and searching for effective therapies; thus, we evaluated the effects of free fatty acids (FFAs) on NAFLD hallmarks and their association with the modulation of Annexin A2 (ANXA2) and Keratin 17 (KRT17) in HepG2 cells. Our results show that oleic and palmitic acids can differentially induce intracellular lipid accumulation, cell death, and promote oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and antioxidant defense depletion. Moreover, a markedly increased expression of inflammatory cytokines demonstrated the activation of inflammation pathways associated with lipotoxicity and oxidative stress. ANXA2 overexpression and KRT17 nuclear translocation were also observed, supporting the role of both molecules in the progression of liver disease. Taken together, these data provide insights into the interplay between ANXA2 and KRT17 in NAFLD, paving the way for understanding molecular mechanisms involved with the disease and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Extraction, Characterization, and Nutraceutical Potential of Prosthechea karwinskii Orchid for Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Prosthechea karwinskii is an endemic orchid of Mexico with cultural significance for its ornamental, food, religious, and medicinal uses. In traditional medicine, diabetic patients use the leaves of this plant to lower glucose levels. The present study evaluated the effect of P. karwinskii leaves extract on the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in a model of obese rats with insulin resistance for its nutraceutical potential to reduce insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Obesity and insulin resistance were induced with 40% sucrose in water for 20 weeks. Four groups (control rats, obese rats, obese rats administered the extract, and obese rats administered metformin) were evaluated. Extract compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS. Glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and insulin resistance indices (HOMA-IR and TyG), as well as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, increased in rats in the obese group. Administration of P. karwinskii extract and metformin reduced glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and insulin resistance indices and antioxidant enzyme activity to values similar to those of the control group. Therefore, this study shows the nutraceutical potential of P. karwinskii extract as an ingredient in the formulation of dietary supplements or functional foods to help treat diseases whose pathophysiology is related to oxidative stress and insulin resistance.

A review of experimental and clinical studies on the therapeutic effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Focus on oxidative stress and inflammation

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently linked to metabolic disorders and is prevalent in obese and diabetic patients. The pathophysiology of NAFLD involves multiple factors, including insulin resistance (IR), oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and genetic predisposition. Recently, there has been an emphasis on the use of herbal remedies with many people around the world resorting to phytonutrients or nutraceuticals for treatment of numerous health challenges in various national healthcare settings. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) parts, such as juice, peel, seed and flower, have high polyphenol content and is well known for its antioxidant capabilities. Pomegranate polyphenols, such as hydrolyzable tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, have high antioxidant capabilities that can help lower the OS and inflammation associated with NAFLD. The study aimed to investigate whether pomegranate parts could attenuate OS, inflammation, and other risk factors associated with NAFLD, and ultimately prevent the development of the disease. The findings of this study revealed that: 1. pomegranate juice contains hypoglycemic qualities that can assist manage blood sugar levels, which is vital for avoiding and treating NAFLD. 2. Polyphenols from pomegranate flowers increase paraoxonase 1 (PON1) mRNA and protein levels in the liver, which can help protect liver enzymes and prevent NAFLD. 3. Punicalagin (PU) is one of the major ellagitannins found in pomegranate, and PU-enriched pomegranate extract (PE) has been shown to inhibit HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and hepatic lipid deposition in rats. 4. Pomegranate fruit consumption, which is high in antioxidants, can decrease the activity of AST and ALT (markers of liver damage), lower TNF-α (a marker of inflammation), and improve overall antioxidant capacity in NAFLD patients. Overall, the polyphenols in pomegranate extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and protective effects on liver enzymes, which can help prevent and manage NAFLD effects on liver enzymes, which can help prevent and manage NAFLD.

The emerging significance of mitochondrial targeted strategies in NAFLD treatment

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, ranging from liver steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which ultimately progresses to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Individuals with NAFLD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular and extrahepatic cancers. Despite the great progress being made in understanding the pathogenesis and the introduction of new pharmacological targets for NAFLD, no drug or intervention has been accepted for its management. Recent evidence suggests that NAFLD may be a mitochondrial disease, as mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the pathological processes that lead to NAFLD. In this review, we describe the recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in NAFLD progression. Moreover, we discuss recent advances in the efficacy of mitochondria-targeted compounds (e.g., Mito-Q, MitoVit-E, MitoTEMPO, SS-31, mitochondrial uncouplers, and mitochondrial pyruvate carrier inhibitors) for treating NAFLD. Furthermore, we present some medications currently being tested in clinical trials for NAFLD treatment, such as exercise, mesenchymal stem cells, bile acids and their analogs, and antidiabetic drugs, with a focus on their efficacy in improving mitochondrial function. Based on this evidence, further investigations into the development of mitochondria-based agents may provide new and promising alternatives for NAFLD management.

Oxidative balance score is inversely associated with the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The contribution of the balance between overall oxidative stress and antioxidant status in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unclear. The oxidative balance score (OBS) comprises dietary and lifestyle pro- and antioxidant components that indicate the overall oxidative stress burden. We investigated the association between OBS and the incidence of NAFLD in middle-aged and older Korean adults.

METHODS

Among the 10,030 participants of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study_Ansan and Ansung cohort, 5065 without NAFLD at baseline were selected for secondary analysis. OBS was categorized into quartiles. Multiple Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for NAFLD incidence by sex-specific OBS quartile groups after adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median 13.4 years), 913 (43.2%) men and 1288 (43.9%) women were newly diagnosed with NAFLD. Compared with that of the lowest quartile (Q1) group, the adjusted HR (95% CI) for NAFLD incidence in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was 0.85 (0.71-1.00), 0.65 (0.54-0.78), and 0.50 (0.40-0.62) in men, and 0.85 (0.73-0.99), 0.66 (0.56-0.77), and 0.48 (0.40-0.59) in women, respectively, and for NAFLD incidence, per incremental change in OBS, was 0.90 (0.87-0.92) in men and 0.88 (0.86-0.90) in women.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher OBS was significantly associated with a lower risk for NAFLD incidence. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and an antioxidant-rich diet is a potentially viable strategy for preventing NAFLD.

Hypolipidemic effect and molecular mechanism of ginsenosides: a review based on oxidative stress

Hyperlipidemia is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. However, effective approaches for treating this common metabolic disorder remain limited. Ginseng has traditionally been used as a natural medicine for invigorating energy or "Qi" and has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. A large number of studies have shown that ginsenosides, the main active ingredient of ginseng, have lipid-lowering effects. However, there remains a lack of systematic reviews detailing the molecular mechanisms by which ginsenosides reduce blood lipid levels, especially in relation to oxidative stress. For this article, research studies detailing the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides regulate oxidative stress and lower blood lipids in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and its related diseases (diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and atherosclerosis) were comprehensively reviewed. The relevant papers were search on seven literature databases. According to the studies reviewed, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Re, Rg1, Rg3, Rh2, Rh4, and F2 inhibit oxidative stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, promoting fatty acid β-oxidation and autophagy, and regulating the intestinal flora to alleviate high blood pressure and improve the body's lipid status. These effects are related to the regulation of various signaling pathways, such as those of PPARα, Nrf2, mitogen-activated protein kinases, SIRT3/FOXO3/SOD, and AMPK/SIRT1. These findings suggest that ginseng is a natural medicine with lipid-lowering effects.

Role of Oxidative Stress in Liver Disorders

Oxygen is vital for life as it is required for many different enzymatic reactions involved in intermediate metabolism and xenobiotic biotransformation. Moreover, oxygen consumption in the electron transport chain of mitochondria is used to drive the synthesis of ATP to meet the energetic demands of cells. However, toxic free radicals are generated as byproducts of molecular oxygen consumption. Oxidative stress ensues not only when the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds the endogenous antioxidant defense mechanism of cells, but it can also occur as a consequence of an unbalance between antioxidant strategies. Given the important role of hepatocytes in the biotransformation and metabolism of xenobiotics, ROS production represents a critical event in liver physiology, and increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress contributes to the development of many liver diseases. The present review, which is part of the special issue “Oxidant stress in Liver Diseases”, aims to provide an overview of the sources and targets of ROS in different liver diseases and highlights the pivotal role of oxidative stress in cell death. In addition, current antioxidant therapies as treatment options for such disorders and their limitations for future trial design are discussed.

Oxidative Stress in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a challenging disease caused by multiple factors, which may partly explain why it still remains an orphan of adequate therapies. This review highlights the interaction between oxidative stress (OS) and disturbed lipid metabolism. Several reactive oxygen species generators, including those produced in the gastrointestinal tract, contribute to the lipotoxic hepatic (and extrahepatic) damage by fatty acids and a great variety of their biologically active metabolites in a “multiple parallel-hit model”. This leads to inflammation and fibrogenesis and contributes to NAFLD progression. The alterations of the oxidant/antioxidant balance affect also metabolism-related organelles, leading to lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This OS-induced damage is at least partially counteracted by the physiological antioxidant response. Therefore, modulation of this defense system emerges as an interesting target to prevent NAFLD development and progression. For instance, probiotics, prebiotics, diet, and fecal microbiota transplantation represent new therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota dysbiosis. The OS and its counter-regulation are under the influence of individual genetic and epigenetic factors as well. In the near future, precision medicine taking into consideration genetic or environmental epigenetic risk factors, coupled with new OS biomarkers, will likely assist in noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of NAFLD progression and in further personalizing treatments.

Role of Oxidative Stress in Hepatic and Extrahepatic Dysfunctions during Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a pathology that contains a broad liver dysfunctions spectrum. These alterations span from noninflammatory isolated steatosis until nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more aggressive form of the disease characterized by steatosis, inflammatory status, and varying liver degrees fibrosis. NAFLD is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. The causes of NAFLD are diverse and include genetic and environmental factors. The presence of NASH is strongly associated with cirrhosis development and hepatocellular carcinoma, two conditions that require liver transplantation. The liver alterations during NAFLD are well described. Interestingly, this pathological condition also affects other critical tissues and organs, such as skeletal muscle and even the cardiovascular, renal, and nervous systems. Oxidative stress (OS) is a harmful state present in several chronic diseases, such as NAFLD. The purpose of this review is to describe hepatic and extrahepatic dysfunctions in NAFLD. We will also review the influence of OS on the physiopathological events that affect the critical function of the liver and peripheral tissues.

Morphological evaluation of the effects of exercise on high-fat-diet-induced liver damage in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of swimming exercise on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with high fat diet-induced obesity, using microscopical and biochemical parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague Dawley male rats were fed either standard chow (STD group; 6% fat) or high-fat diet (HFD group; 45% fat) for 18 weeks. Animals were divided into four groups, STD, STD + EXC, HFD, HFD + EXC. Exercise groups were submitted to swimming training 5 days of week and 1h of per day, during the last 6 weeks of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, liver samples were evaluated for morphologically and ultrastructurally. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated in liver samples.

RESULTS

Normal morphology of liver parancyma with hepatocytes and sinusoids was observed in the STD and STD+EXC groups. Steatosis, lipid accumulation, ballooned hepatocytes, decrease of glycogen deposits and fibrosis in periportal area were observed in HFD group. Liver MDA level was increased and GSH level was decreased in HFD group. Exercise treatment ameliorated these morphological and oxidative changes in HFD induced liver damage.

CONCLUSION

Based on morphological and biochemical analysis, we could conclude that swimming training ameliorated obesity-induced liver damage by regulating lipid accumulation and oxidative damage.

Role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and is strongly associated with the presence of oxidative stress. Disturbances in lipid metabolism lead to hepatic lipid accumulation, which affects different reactive oxygen species (ROS) generators, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and NADPH oxidase. Mitochondrial function adapts to NAFLD mainly through the downregulation of the electron transport chain (ETC) and the preserved or enhanced capacity of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, which stimulates ROS overproduction within different ETC components upstream of cytochrome c oxidase. However, non-ETC sources of ROS, in particular, fatty acid β-oxidation, appear to produce more ROS in hepatic metabolic diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and NADPH oxidase alterations are also associated with NAFLD, but the degree of their contribution to oxidative stress in NAFLD remains unclear. Increased ROS generation induces changes in insulin sensitivity and in the expression and activity of key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism. Moreover, the interaction between redox signaling and innate immune signaling forms a complex network that regulates inflammatory responses. Based on the mechanistic view described above, this review summarizes the mechanisms that may account for the excessive production of ROS, the potential mechanistic roles of ROS that drive NAFLD progression, and therapeutic interventions that are related to oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Clinical and Experimental Models of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term that covers a range of hepatic disorders involving fat deposits in the liver. NAFLD begins with simple steatosis and progresses into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) characterised by inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction and release of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress and antioxidants are known to play a vital role in the pathogenesis and severity of NAFLD/NASH. A number of oxidative stress and antioxidant markers are employed in the assessment of the pathological state and progression of the disease. In this article, we review several biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidants that have been measured at clinical and experimental levels. Also included is a comprehensive description of oxidative stress, sources and contribution to the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH.

PPP2R5B, a regulatory subunit of PP2A, contributes to adipocyte insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is associated with deregulation of insulin signaling owing to the chronic exposure of insulin (hyperinsulinemia) to the tissues. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events in insulin signaling pathway play an essential role in signal transduction and glucose uptake. Amongst all, Akt protein is considered to be central to the overall insulin signaling proteins. In glucose responsive tissues like adipose and muscles, activation of Akt is responsible for triggering GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport. Several phosphatases such as PTEN, PP2A have been reported to be involved in dephosphorylation and inactivation of Akt protein. We have identified increased PP2A activity during state of chronic hyperinsulinemia exposure along-with development of adipocyte insulin resistance. This increased phosphatase activity leads activation of cAMP/PKA axis, which in turn increased cAMP levels in insulin resistant (IR) adipocytes. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of PP2A restored and increased insulin stimulated glucose uptake in insulin resistant (IR) and insulin sensitive (IS) adipocytes respectively. In IS adipocyte, chemical activation of PP2A through MG132 and FTY720 showed decreased insulin sensitivity corroborated with decreased Akt phosphorylation and glucose uptake. We also observed an increased expression of PP2A-B (regulatory) subunit in IR adipocytes. We found PPP2R5B, a regulatory subunit of PP2A is responsible for the dephosphorylation and inactivation of Akt protein. Increased expression of PPP2R5B was also confirmed in white adipose tissue of high fat diet induced IR mice model. Overexpression and suppression strategies confirmed the role of PPP2R5B in regulating insulin signaling. Thus, we conclude that PPP2R5B, a B subunit of PP2A is a negative regulator of Akt phosphorylation contributing partly to the chronic hyperinsulinemia induced insulin resistance in adipocytes.