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Afshari H, Noori S, Zarghi A. Hepatic Steatosis Alleviated by a Novel Metformin and Quercetin Combination Activating Autophagy Through the cAMP/AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH : IJPR 2023; 22:e136952. [PMID: 38116565 PMCID: PMC10728872 DOI: 10.5812/ijpr-136952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) incidence and prevalence are rapidly increasing globally. The combined effects of metformin and quercetin (Que) have yet to be investigated. However, both have demonstrated the potential to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels and treat NAFLD by promoting autophagy. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of action and assess the role of autophagy in the lipid-lowering effects of Que, both individually and in combination with metformin, in a HepG2 cell model of hepatic steatosis. Triglyceride levels and lipogenic gene expression were reduced in HepG2 cells exposed to palmitic acid (PA) when treated with Que-metformin, as evidenced by triglyceride measurements and real-time PCR. The LDH release assay also showed that this combination induced autophagy to protect HepG2 cells from PA-induced cell death. According to the Western blot analysis outcomes, Que-metformin increased LC3-I and LC3-II protein levels while decreasing p62 expression to induce autophagy. In HepG2 cells, the co-administration of Que-metformin elevated cAMP, phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), and Beclin-1 levels. Additionally, the inhibition of SIRT1 reversed the autophagy induced by Que-metformin. The findings of this study demonstrated for the first time that Que-metformin reduced hepatosteatosis by stimulating autophagy through the cAMP/AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway and diminishing inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Havva Afshari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoofe Noori
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin Zarghi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Cozma GV, Apostu A, Macasoi I, Dehelean CA, Cretu OM, Dinu S, Gaiță D, Manea A. In Vitro and In Ovo Evaluation of the Potential Hepatoprotective Effect of Metformin. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58060705. [PMID: 35743967 PMCID: PMC9228172 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58060705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Metformin is currently the leading drug of choice for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, being one of the most widely used drugs worldwide. The beneficial effects of Metformin, however, extend far beyond the reduction of blood glucose. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate Metformin's effects both in vitro and in ovo. Materials and Methods: Metformin has been tested in five different concentrations in human hepatocytes -HepaRG, in terms of cell viability, morphology, structure and number of nuclei and mitochondria, as well as the effect on cell migration. Through the application of HET-CAM, the biocompatibility and potential anti-irritant, as well as protective effects on the vascular plexus were also assessed. Results: According to the results obtained, Metformin increases cell viability without causing morphological changes to cells, mitochondria, or nuclei. Metformin displayed an anti-irritant activity rather than causing irritation at the level of the vascular plexus. Conclusions: In conclusion, Metformin enhances cell viability and proliferation and, has a protective effect on the vascular plexus. Nonetheless, more studies are required to clarify the mechanism of hepatoprotective effect of metformin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Veniamin Cozma
- Department of Surgical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
| | - Alexandru Apostu
- Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 49 No., C. D. Loga Bv., 300041 Timişoara, Romania; (A.A.); (D.G.)
- Advanced Research Center of the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Macasoi
- Departament of Toxicology and Drug Industry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (I.M.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Cristina Adriana Dehelean
- Departament of Toxicology and Drug Industry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (I.M.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Octavian Marius Cretu
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
| | - Stefania Dinu
- Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 9 No., Revolutiei Bv., 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
- Pediatric Dentistry Research Center, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 9 No., Revolutiei Bv., 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Dan Gaiță
- Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 49 No., C. D. Loga Bv., 300041 Timişoara, Romania; (A.A.); (D.G.)
- Advanced Research Center of the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Aniko Manea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
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